Gloucester Township Among 30 NJ Towns With The Most Heroin Abuse

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — Despite the success rate of Gloucester Township’s SAVE program, the heroin epidemic continues to be a problem locally. Each year, Patch takes a look at the 30 communities that have the highest number of reported heroin treatment cases statewide from the most recent year available.

This year, Gloucester Township is No. 11 on the list of 30 towns in New Jersey with the most heroin abuse. The township had 426 abuse cases in 2017, according to statistics recently released from the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services in the New Jersey Department of Human Services. Statistics are based on the number of people seeking treatment for heroin abuse.

Countywide, there were 308 overdose deaths in Camden County in 2017, up from 200 the previous year. Read more here: 30 NJ Towns With The Most Heroin Abuse In New 2018 Report

Gloucester Township launched the Project SAVE program in 2014. Since then, a total of 178 people who suffer from addiction have received treatment through the program, according to statistics recently provided by the Gloucester Township Police Department.

Project SAVE focuses on suppression, prevention and intervention in an effort to combat a nationwide narcotic abuse problem. The alcohol and drug counselor, known as a Project SAVE Advocate, has been present in the Gloucester Township Municipal Court to assist defendants suffering from addiction and their family members with providing information about available treatment programs.

The program has been recognized for its success nationally. Mayor David Mayer received an Honorable Mention at the 2018 City Livability Awards program during The U.S. Conference of Mayors' 86th annual Meeting in Boston due to the program's success.

Gloucester Township still has some work to do in the battle against addiction, though. In April, a Gloucester Township man went to great lengths to hide heroin that was in his system while he was in jail, vomiting 32 bags worth of the narcotic. See related: Man Vomited 32 Bags Of Heroin While In Jail: GTPD.

Patch file photo