The United States has struggled with an opioid crisis that has claimed over half a million lives since the 1990s. While most experts agree that prescription opioids are at the center of this crisis, illicit and counterfeit drugs have continued to fuel it.

New Jersey has been hit hard by the opioid crisis. In Camden County alone, thousands of people lose their lives to opioid overdose each year. 

However, recent efforts made by harm reduction organizations are having a significant impact in reducing the number of overdose deaths in New Jersey. This article will explore what seems to be working in reducing opioid overdose deaths.

If you or someone you love struggles with opioid abuse or addiction, you are not alone. Contact the Moving Mountain Recovery specialists to learn about our holistic addiction treatment and recovery support programs. 

Why are Opioid Overdose Deaths Decreasing in New Jersey?

Camden County, New Jersey, has been in the news recently because of its declining opioid overdose deaths. After many years of increases, the number of overdose deaths declined sharply in the county from 2022 to 2024. 

In January of 2022, 2892 people died from an opioid overdose in the previous year. By 20203, this number had fallen to 2564. Surveys from July of 2024 showed that there were 1100 opioid overdose deaths in the first six months of the year. 

So, what is behind the declining number of overdose deaths?

People who study public health point to the work of harm reduction organizations to explain this decrease in opioid overdose deaths. Wider access to Naloxone (Narcan) has been one of the most significant factors in fewer overdose deaths.

Naloxone is a medication used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose quickly. People can administer Naloxone as a nasal spray or injection. Harm reduction agencies have worked to ensure access to the prepackaged form of Naloxone called Narcan. 

In addition to greater access to Narcan, an increase in harm reduction centers has driven down opioid overdose deaths. In Camden County alone, there are 24 of these centers providing non-judgmental support, education, and care to people with opioid use disorder. They have also created programs ensuring widespread access to buprenorphine, which is a drug that can help treat opioid use disorder. 

Changes in the way law enforcement officers respond to people with opioid addiction have also helped. New policies reduce the number of people with addiction ending up in jail. Instead, law enforcement agencies team up with recovery coaches to transport people with addiction to rehab centers–not jail. 

Reducing opioid overdose deaths is challenging. It requires resources, energy, and dedication to the cause. However, positive outcomes like the ones seen in Camden County demonstrate that change is possible. 

Understanding Opioid Abuse and Addiction

Understanding opioid abuse and addiction can help people recognize the signs and seek treatment as soon as possible. In many cases, opioid addiction begins when people take a prescription opioid painkiller. 

Opioids like morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl, and codeine bind to opioid receptors in the brain. These drugs affect parts of the brain associated with pain control, pleasure, reward, and emotional regulation. People may experience pleasurable side effects when taking opioids, including relaxation and euphoria.

The pleasurable effects of opioids can cause people to misuse them. People may:

• Take larger doses than prescribed
• Taking doses more often than prescribed
• Take opioids for a longer period than prescribed
• Ingest opioids differently than prescribed, such as crushing and snorting them
• Using opioids recreationally (without a prescription)

Misusing opioids can cause people to develop tolerance for them. Tolerance occurs when a person’s body adjusts to a dose of a drug. People with tolerance to opioids will need to take higher doses to get the desired effects.

Over time, opioid misuse can lead to physical dependence and addiction. It puts people at increased risk of a life-threatening overdose and other severe health risks. 

An opioid overdose is a life-threatening emergency. Seek emergency medical attention if you or someone near you is exhibiting signs of an overdose, including:

• Muscle spasms
• Pinpoint pupils
• Slow, shallow, or stopped breathing
• Disorientation
• Loss of consciousness
• Blue skin, lips, or nails
• Weak pulse
• Stomach or intestinal spasms
• Delirium or confusion

If you suspect someone near you is experiencing an opioid overdose, call 911 immediately. Administer Naloxone if you have it, and wait with the person until EMS arrives. 

Treating Opioid Addiction

Overcoming opioid dependence can be very challenging. Most people require intensive treatment and continuing support to stop using opioids and avoid relapse. 

Each person follows a personalized treatment plan consisting of evidence-based therapies. A typical opioid addiction treatment plan may include:

• A medically-supported detox program of medications, supervision, and medical care
• Mental health support
• Behavioral therapies
• Individual, group, and family counseling
• Relapse prevention education
• Outdoor therapy, mindfulness, nutritional support, and other holistic therapies
• Aftercare planning and support

People with opioid addiction can recover if they get the right treatment and support. It is critical to seek treatment as soon as you recognize the signs of opioid abuse or addiction. Seeking treatment quickly can give you the best chance at a complete recovery. 

Find Treatment Now

If you or someone you love struggles with opioid abuse or addiction, seek treatment right away. Contact the Moving Mountains Recovery specialists to learn about our holistic addiction treatment programs or to schedule an intake appointment.