Bergen County New Jersey Opioid Death Statistics

Opioid overdoses have increased substantially in the last thirty years.  The opioid crisis has become the worst epidemic in the modern U.S. history. There are more deaths every year from opioid overdose than from gun related death or car accidents. The main culprits are heroin and fentanyl. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates the economic cost of opioid abuse to be $78 billion a year. This figure includes healthcare and substance abuse treatment costs, criminal involvement and lost productivity.

The Numbers

• In 2017, more than 47,000 Americans died as a result of an opioid overdose.
• In 2017, over 1.7 million people in the US suffered from addiction related to prescription opioid pain relievers.
• That same year 652,000 suffered from a heroin addiction.
• 21% to 29% of patients prescribed opioids abuse them.
• 8% to 12% of people who are prescribed opioids develop an addiction to opioids.
• 4% to 6% who abuse opioids end up abusing heroin.
• 80% of people heroin addicts first misused prescription opioids.

Demographics of Opioid Overdose Deaths in Bergen County, New Jersey

The latest data we have for opioid related deaths is from 2017. In New Jersey, there are 22 deaths per 100,000 residents. Bergen County registers 7.6 deaths per 100,000 people of which 2.1 are female and 5.5 are male.

Opioid Deaths by Age in New Jersey per 100,000 (2008)

• There are 4.5 deaths per 100K for individuals who are between 15-24 years old
• 6.5 deaths per year for 25-34
• 6.3 deaths for 35-44 year olds
• 6.8 deaths for 45-54 year olds
• 2.8 deaths for 55-64 year olds
• Opioid deaths for individuals over the age of 65 aren’t available.

New Jersey ranks lower compared to national averages in all age groups.

In 2019, in New Jersey, approximately 3,000 people died from opioid overdose. In the first eight months of 2020 2,090 people died, which is an eight percent increase compared to the previous year.

Fair Lawn Initiative in Bergen County

In 2019 there were 662 reported overdoses in the County. Naloxone,  commonly known as Narcan is an overdose drug reversal was used 336 times by the police. That same year, there were 149 overdose deaths.

When the police intervene in an overdose situation, individuals who overdosed on illegal substances are taken to jail. Fair Lawn Initiative was launched in 2018 as a pilot program. Instead of jail, they’re offered an opportunity to go to treatment for opioid abuse. In treatment, addicts will undergo detoxification, if needed and continue with various forms of treatment to help them overcome their addiction to opioids. The program has a success rate of 50%.

Naloxone Distribution at Participating Pharmacies in Bergen County

Please note that the program is sponsored by the Department of Human Services and may no longer be in effect.