With some disbelief over the numbers and questions about inaccuracies, here are the facts from the Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor:

We are grateful to Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni for coming on our show this morning to clarify the scary statistics about the heroin epidemic throughout Monmouth County.

Here are some startling facts about the state of heroin in our area:

  • In only one year, heroin deaths of 18-25 year olds in our state rose 24%
  • 4.2 million Americans TWELVE OR OLDER report using heroin at least once in their lives. It is estimated that about 1 in 4 people who use heroin become addicted to it.
  • Today, heroin users inject it, smoke it, or snort it.
  • Monmouth County has some of the purest, and deadliest, heroin IN THE WORLD.
  • The number of those who have sought treatment for admitted heroin problems (both children and adults, all citizens in the following school district areas) are:
721 in the Freehold Regional School District area, which includes the municipalities of Colts Neck, Freehold Borough, Freehold Township, Howell, Manalapan, and Marlboro
255 in Middletown
110 in Hazlet
164 in the Manasquan Sending District area, which includes the boroughs of Manasquan, Brielle, Sea Girt, Spring Lake Heights, Spring Lake, Belmar and Avon
  • The largest user group of heroin users is under 26 years old...many starting their use as a teenager OR YOUNGER.
  • Our state ranks in the top five for overall heroin seizures. That number has increased dramatically over the past ten years.
  • Affluence, status, suburbs...none of it gets your kids away from heroin. No one is immune.
  • Heroin is CHEAP and easy to get.
  • In a recent study of those graduating high school in a recent study who stayed drug free, most said they did so because they did not want to disappoint their parents.
  • Communication is the most effective tool for parents. Talk to your kids. And KEEP talking to them!
  • Here are some of the warning signs of heroin use: Unkempt appearance, change in performance, missing valuables, change in friends, little or no motivation, ignores consequences, apathy/lethargy, eyes appear lost/far away look, possession of unexplained valuables, excess of sudden sleep, runny nose, slurred speech, poor self-image, loss of interest in usual interests, unexplained absences, no interest in future plans, hostility towards others, running away, defensive or agitated when questioned, broken commitments.

Listen to Chris Gramiccioni speak to Lou and Liz below:

There is help:

Partnership for a Drug Free NJ 800-675-1127

Addictions Hotline of NJ 877-652-1148

Prevention First 732-663-1800

 

For more on this important issue, visit this page.  

 

 

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