Son’s Overdose Death Prompts Parent’s Pleas For Change In Morris Co.

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — Morris County is on track to have the lowest number of suspected drug overdose deaths in years, indicating some relief from an opioid epidemic exacerbated by the stress of the Covid-19 crisis.

Morris County's community response to addiction over the years, through numerous nonprofits and county programs such as Hope One, Navigating Hope, and a "Stigma Free" campaign, appears to have had some impact, according to officials, who this week marked International Overdose Awareness Day.

However, there have been 71 suspected fatal overdoses in Morris County this year and national numbers continue to climb, according to officials.

In the hopes of helping others, a family who lost their son to a drug overdose in 2019 shared their story publicly during a county-wide observance for International Overdose Awareness Day.

Mark and Maria Broadhurst of Long Valley, who lost a son to addiction and established "Joshua's Peace," a nonprofit in his honor to advocate for support, treatment, prevention, and to assist others struggling with addiction.

"On Dec. 6, 2019, a day before my birthday and what was supposed to be a special weekend of celebration, our son, Joshua, the oldest of our five children, died from accidental overdose. I say accidental overdose because we know he wanted to live," Maria Broadhurst said.

Joshua was 24 years old when he died.

Both Broadhursts stated that the public must understand that addiction is a disease that can be overcome, that people who are struggling should know they can seek help, and that the road to recovery is difficult but not impossible.

"We know he fought his addiction hard. We know more than anything else in his 24 years, his family was the most important thing in his life," Broadhurst said.

According to the state Attorney General's Office, there were 1,476 suspected drug-related deaths in the state during the first six months of 2022. The year's projected total of slightly less than 3,000 would be the lowest since 2019 when there were 2,914 deaths statewide.

Each year, the number has grown, reaching 3,124 last year.

“As of right now in Morris County, we’ve had 71 suspected fatal overdoses so far this year – that’s a 16 percent decrease,” Sheriff Gannon said. “We’ve had a decrease in suicides and a decrease in fatal overdoses. It could change on a dime."

Sheriff Gannon offered some optimism, noting that the news is not all bad. Morris County's community response to addiction over the years, via numerous nonprofits and county programs such as Hope One, Navigating Hope and "Stigma Free" campaigns, appears to have had some impact, despite the fact that overdoses continue.

“What troubles me today, however, is that our nation seems to be accepting this terrible toll as a fact of life – and I am not sure why,” Director Tayfun Selen said.

Selen cited two Pew Research surveys published this year, one of which found that the proportion of Americans who believe drug addiction is a major problem in their community fell from 42 percent in 2018 to 35 percent last year. It also demonstrated a drop in concern even in areas with the highest rate of overdose deaths.

“Now, I know we have a lot of problems to solve in America. We live in tough times. But I think the death of more than 107,000 friends, neighbors and family members each year to overdoses should at least be among America’s top 10 national concerns,” Selen said.

"It's no secret" that fatal overdoses have increased during the pandemic, according to Republican state Assemblywoman Aura Dunn, whose district includes parts of Morris and Somerset counties. According to her, New Jersey overdose deaths had been increasing until this year and emergency room visits for substance abuse disorders increased nearly 30 percent.

“For those loved ones who must live on with the pain, today we have the opportunity to turn that pain into purpose,” Dunn said.

“Unless you are wearing these shoes yourself, struggling with addiction, you have no idea,” Mark Broadhurst said, holding up a pair of red sneakers that were Joshua’s favorite footwear. “You can’t truly understand how devastating, how all-encompassing and life-threatening this disease is. If we are going to help our children and those struggling, we must never forget this fact.”