This page is a guide to quick references, NJ specific facts & figures and other prevention information regarding drug use, misuse, and addiction. If you feel you need help, do not hesitate to reach out to a trusted adult.

NJ Drug Facts & Figures

• Drug-related deaths are on the rise every single year in NJ. Last year around 3,124 people died from an overdose in New Jersey. In 2022, we're already looking at around 1,699 from January 1, 2022 - July 31, 2022. Over 1.9 million opioid prescriptions have been given to patients in that same timeframe. In 2021, over 3.5 million opioid prescriptions were dispensed. This figures are only focused on the state of New Jersey. More than half of the drug-related deaths are from heroin or fentanyl. Heroin and Fentanyl act on the same brain receptors as prescription pain pills. None of this is a coincidence. New Jersey has some of the highest numbers in the country when it comes to opioids.

• No heroin addict ever started with just heroin. 1 in 4 heroin addicts started with marijuana. If you ask just about any person in recovery, they will tell you they said that they would never try or use heroin prior to their addiction.

• The coronavirus pandemic did not make the fight against addiction any easier. Between March 1, 2020 and May 5, 2020 compared to that same time frame in 2019, Burlington County alone saw a 30% increase in overdoses.

• Two milligrams of fentanyl is enough to kill you. It can also be accidentally absorbed by you if it touches your skin. For you to see just how much that is, see the video below:

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
This website holds teen-specific information on drug use and it's effects on an individual short term and long term. All of the information listed is backed by scientific information and studies.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association (SAMHSA)
This website provides articles and resources not only on substance abuse but for mental illness as well. You can find public articles such as this one on marijuana or meth.

The Truth
This website provides facts for teens and young adults about the dangers and misleading information that youth are given about smoking, vaping, and opioids.

Opioid FAQ
This is a document containing information with facts and questions on opioids pertaining to youth.