Gloucester Police Offer Facts on Heroin Addiction in Light of Recent Overdoses

Following the revelation that there have been 15 heroin overdoses in two days in Camden County, the Gloucester Township Police Department issued the following statement Thursday morning:

Heroin addiction has been an increasing epidemic throughout New Jersey. With the increasing addiction and cost of prescription drugs many addicts are getting addicted to heroin. 

"Addiction to heroin and other opiates — including certain prescription pain-killers — is impacting the lives of Americans in every state, in every region, and from every background and walk of life — and all too often, with deadly results,'' said Attorney General Eric Holder.

Between 2006 and 2010, the attorney general said, heroin overdose deaths increased by 45%. And between 2008 and 2013, he said, heroin seizures along the U.S. southwest border increased by more than 320%.

On May 2, 2013 Governor Chris Christie signed a bill that gives people immunity from arrest if they call 911 to report an overdose, even if they also had used drugs at the time.  In addition to giving immunity from arrest and prosecution for drug possession to those who call 911 to report overdoses.  The bill makes naloxone, a remedy for overdoses, available to spouses, parents or guardians who could be taught to administer the drug in an emergency.  New Jersey is now the 12th state to pass a drug overdose immunity bill.