By KIM BONGARD
Despite the number of written opioid prescriptions declining in New Jersey, overdose deaths continue to rise by the thousands throughout the state.
Based on data from the Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner, officials expected 3,000 New Jersey residents to die from drug overdoses in 2018. Last year’s death toll exceeded their suspected estimate at a staggering 3,118 overdose deaths, up 12 percent from the 2017 death toll of 2,750 people.
Compared to other states, New Jersey was ranked twelfth by Becker’s Hospital Review for having high opioid overdose death rates. Although higher ranked states like West Virginia and Ohio have approximately double the number of overdoses, New Jersey’s No. 12 ranking is not far from the top as its usage continues to climb.
#CDC funding increased to help advance understanding of #opioid overdose prevention, improve data, and enhance public health response efforts across all 50 states, DC, and 8 territories. Learn more about this funding opportunity: https://t.co/20T7PBFEIx. pic.twitter.com/6V0rMeOxIB
— CDC (@CDCgov) June 28, 2018
Where is the epidemic most prevalent
According to the New Jersey Coordinator of Addiction Response and Enforcement Strategies (NJ Cares), there have been 294 overdose deaths between Jan. 1, 2019 and Feb. 10, 2019. Essex, Mercer, and several counties in southern New Jersey experience the highest death rates.
Research published by the CDC suggests opioids are prescribed most frequently in small cities and larger towns with a higher percentage of white residents, people who are uninsured or unemployed, or people who have diabetes, arthritis, or a disability.
How is NJ tackling the epidemic
During Gov. Chris Christie’s last few years in office, he prioritized the opioid overdose issue and pushed for the prescription-limit law, which restricted to patients to obtain only five days’ worth of opioids when beginning their prescription.
The Murphy Administration has announced several new initiatives in efforts to combat the opioid epidemic. In addition to the $30.6 million New Jersey received in federal grants, Gov. Murphy advanced $100 million from his Fiscal Year 2019 budget to make outpatient treatment more accessible, expand access to social services, and to build sound data systems.
“The opioid epidemic continues to devastate families and communities across our state,” said Governor Murphy in a press release from Jan. 23. “As we combat this crisis, it is critical that we use data-driven, evidence-based strategies to support individuals suffering from addiction and help them get on the path to recovery.”
Every day, the opioid epidemic devastates communities and families all over our state. Grateful that the federal government has awarded New Jersey $30.6 million, which will help us provide expanded services and build a healthier, safer state for all.
https://t.co/JxI5i3d7hl pic.twitter.com/7ap1nkQwGW— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) September 21, 2018
The Murphy Administration continued to spread awareness about addition by establishing Overdose Awareness Day on Aug. 31, preluding the beginning of Recovery Month which occupies the duration of September.
As the New Jersey government implements new legislation to curtail opioid overdoses, prescribers are also changing their practices. A new program launched by St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Paterson has helped emergency physicians there decrease opioid scrips by 80 percent in two years.
Counselors respond to the epidemic
“They’re taking steps right now to fix the issue, but the problem is the issue persisted to begin with,” said Darren Friedman, a counselor at the Counseling Center at Monmouth Junction. He believes the new legislation may help in the future, but the origin of the issue stems from past prescribing methods. “Maybe less opioids will be prescribed now, but that doesn’t mean they weren’t already prescribed years ago. Now we have to sort of clean up the pieces of what happened.”
The number of suspected overdose deaths has been steadily rising in Monmouth County in recent years, increasing from 85 in 2013 to 171 last year, the fifth-most in the state, according to preliminary data.
“[The increase in overdoses] is related to the prescription opioid use and people becoming addicted to prescription painkillers first,” said Gianna Chapman, a licensed professional counselor for alcohol and drug abuse at the Counseling Center at Freehold. “Then the painkillers become too expensive or doctors stop prescribing them so their tolerance increases and they go to a stronger alternative.”
The Counseling Center at Freehold is an outpatient addiction treatment center for adults seeking treatment for addiction, alcoholism, and co-occurring disorders associated with addiction and substance use. According to Chapman, individuals who frequent the center have had the most success through a combination of group and individual therapy, outside meetings, and medication.
As more people have been reportedly using opioids, Chapman said the center has experienced a rise in people seeking treatment. Although she acknowledged the recent strides led by Phil Murphy’s administration for more recovery resources, she said the Counseling Center at Freehold is not affected by the new funding because it’s a private treatment center funded by independent insurance plans.
“The only thing is some of [the state-funded counseling centers] have a wait-list. We’re fortunate here that we get a lot more motivated individuals who aren’t court mandated,” she said.
I think the interviews with counselors in one of the most highly affected areas in the state (Monmouth/Ocean Counties) provides a good perspective into what actually occurs on the treatment side of this epidemic, and helps to further localize it.