2 Heroin Overdose Deaths In Morris Township In 5 Days

MORRIS TWP, NJ— Two men have died from heroin overdoses in the past week, Morris Township Police said in a statement.

"It is estimated that nationally, one person every nineteen minutes is dying from opiate overdoses. Our small community has experienced two deaths with in five days," Captain Mark DiCarlo wrote in a statement.

The first man died on Feb. 10 in a township residence, with evidence of heroin and alcohol. He was 56.

The second man died ten days later, on Feb. 15, also in a township residence with evidence of heroin use. He was 37.

Both deaths remain under investigation, however police believe heroin was involved in them.

Opiate abuse has been a rising epidemic in New Jersey. Suburban communities, particularly in Ocean County, have seen numbers of residents seeking treatment for heroin addiction skyrocket.

It has not gone unaddressed in New Jersey.

"Governor Christie’s Administration has provided several concepts to address the [drug] problem. One example is the Overdose Prevention Act, which provides immunity against prosecution for simple possession of controlled dangerous substances when people report those that need medical attention," DiCarlo said.

The Overdose Prevention Act, signed into law yesterday, is also one of the toughest opioid prescribing laws in the nation. Now, a first prescription for acute pain (such as surgery or dental work) must be limited to five days worth of medication. Three other states have slightly longer limits, at seven days.

Morris County has also enacted its own prevention initiatives, including the Prevention is Key program.

DiCarlo describes the program as a "community-focused non-profit organization providing science-based prevention education programs, professional development training, advocacy, information and referral services, and maintains the county’s most extensive resource center with up-to- date materials that address issues of substance abuse, violence, ATOD dependence and emerging issues of concern to the Morris County Community."

You can learn more about the Morris County program at http://www.mcpik.org/.

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