Do We Have a Heroin Epidemic at the Jersey Shore?

Do we have a heroin epidemic in Ocean and Monmouth Counties? According to the latest figures from Washington over 33,000 people died nationally (2015) due to heroin related deaths ... a staggering number. Local Congressman Tom MacArthur (NJ 3rd District) is part of a Bipartisan Heroin Task Force, an 85-member congressional panel looking at the issues of heroin and opioid abuse. Last year, the panel was responsible for the passage of 18 bills in the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act,

According to Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute of Drug Abuse .....8 of 10 heroin addicts became addicted to opioids first through legal prescription drugs, drugs such as oxycodone (best known as OxyContin), Percocet, and other narcotic painkillers. Is the program beginning at home, before it hits the streets? and once the addiction progresses the cost and availability makes it very easy to become hooked!

Ocean County law enforcement has reported heroin is offered for as little as $5 a hit.

What's the answer to the heroin problem here at the Jersey Shore? What do YOU think?

Stiffer Punishment For Those Convicted Of Dealing
Stiffer Penalties For Those Convicted Of Using or Mandatory Recovery Treatment
Better Recovery Programs
Stiffer Penalties For Doctors Over Prescribing Opioids
More Drug Education
Push Washington and New Jersey To Pass Tougher Legislation

New information from the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services in the New Jersey Department of Human Services (based on residents seeking treatment for heroin addiction) shows that Toms River saw a 51% increase from 2014 to 2015. Looking at the top 10 towns here at the Shore, Ocean County had 8 towns and Monmouth 2 towns. I think we all pray for an end to the drug epidemic here at the Jersey Shore and around our nation!

Take a look below and see if your town made the list:

Toms River
Brick Township
Berkeley Township
Jackson Township
Middletown
Lacey Township
Little Egg Harbor
Asbury Park
Manchester Township
Stafford Township

Here is also a look at opioid problems in our schools, threatening our kids! New Jersey officials have put together a list of the schools in New Jersey with the highest reported cases of drug and alcohol incidents (latest data available). I spotted this article first published by the Patch and narrowed it down. Here are the Top 10 schools here in Ocean and Monmouth County: