More Seeking Opioid Treatment In Brick; Overdoses Fall

BRICK, NJ — The release of data by the state of New Jersey shows the number of people battling heroin addiction continues to be a significant concern in Brick Township.

The data released by the state Department of Human Services shows the numbers of those seeking treatment for heroin addiction inched up in 2018, to 442 cases of heroin addiction, up 4 from 438 in 2017. There were 436 cases in 2016, which Brick Police Chief James Riccio said was the township's worst year.

"The numbers reflected in the report can be looked at in a positive way, in that more people are seeking treatment," Riccio said.

As more people seek treatment, the township's overdose numbers are falling, he said.

"Compared to this time last year, our overall overdoses are down by 10," Riccio said.

Riccio supplied data for Brick that showed in 2016, the worst year, there were 203 total overdoses, with 30 of them fatal. Through Oct. 31 of that year, there were 173 overdoses, with 25 fatal. For 2019 through Oct. 31, there have been 108 overdoses. Of those, 21 were fatal, according to the data Riccio provided.

"Fatal overdoses are up slightly," he said, a reflection of the fact that fentanyl has been a significant problem in overdose cases.

The township continues its efforts and cooperation with health care providers to try to address the crisis, which took began skyrocketing in 2013 not just locally but across New Jersey and the nation. The township police department has coordinated with the school district to provide programs to deter children from drug use, and there are programs in every school at every age level.

Brick continues to sit high in overall cases, coming in 11th with the 442 cases of people who sought treatment, which equals 5.88 cases per 1,000 people.

Ocean County has been one of the hotbeds of the opioid crisis in New Jersey. Seaside Heights had the highest number of cases per 1,000 residents in the state, while Toms River had the highest total of people who sought treatment overall. Read more: NJ Towns With Most Heroin Abuse Cases: New Data 2019

Have a news tip? Email karen.wall@patch.com Follow Brick Patch on Facebook.