Drug Overdose Rate Declines In 2022, Howell Alliance Reports

HOWELL, NJ — In Howell, statistics on drug overdoses show that the number of total incidents decreased to 43 in 2022, the lowest number since 2015 when there were 26, the township said.

In recently released figures for last year, the township provided various mental health and drug-related information.

And this transparency is a big part of the program by the Howell Alliance to educate the public about the problems, according to Christa Riddle, coordinator of the Howell Alliance. She said there were 26 overdoses in 2015.

Her office provided these statistics for the township:

• Overdoses: 43, including 5 fatal overdoses.
• Suicide completions: 4
• Suicide attempts/threats: 81
• Juvenile arrests: 16
• Crisis calls: 465
• Domestic violence calls: 288 from July 1 to the end of the year. This stat was added to the updates this July)
• Unwanted medication police at-home pick-up calls: 8
• Project Medicine Drop box total unwanted medications collected: 632 lbs.

Riddle offered some opinions on the decrease in overdoses, noting it was "speculation - not a data-supported fact."

But the availability of naloxone has helped, she said.

"In candidly talking with behavioral health professionals, the lower number could be due to people having direct access to naloxone (Narcan) kits through recent government initiatives, such as no longer needing a prescription for it and having it available through community training and distribution programs," she said.

She said people may be using naloxone and not calling 911 as frequently in the case of an overdose, she added.

Naloxone is a medication that can reverse an opioid overdose. It is usually administered in nasal spray form and is most well-known under the brand name Narcan. Naloxone is more readily available and more people know about it these days, Riddle said.

"Unfortunately, on the others side, there certainly isn’t a decline in accessibility to, use of, or potency of opioids such as heroin, fentanyl, illicitly manufactured fake pills, and misused prescription pills," Riddle said.

"These drugs are constantly becoming more potent as new analogs hit the streets. There are also increases in overdoses due to other substances or combinations of other substances, such as stimulants and depressants such as tranquilizers," she added.

And she said the age for those using the drugs is "unfortunately becoming younger."

She said opioids such as fentanyl are also showing up in other substances, including marijuana, often unbeknownst to the user as dealers lace drugs with powerful opioids to deliver a more intense and lasting high for users, she said.

"My message to accompany this post (on the statistics) would be for people to familiarize themselves with current drug trends and our unwanted medications disposal program, in partnership with the Howell Police Department.

Information is updated several times a week on the Friends of the Howell Alliance Facebook page regarding this.

Riddle says Howell chooses to be transparent about problems that face every community in the country regarding drug use or mental health.

This is to:

• Increase awareness and educational opportunities.
• Lower the stigma, judgment, and shame that prevent people from seeking support.
• Encourage the use of treatment and support resources.
• Foster a supportive community.
• Offer targeted prevention and awareness initiatives.

She said all these efforts can help decrease the number of tragic episodes.

Riddle said to learn about substance use/mental health disorders and support resources, visit the Alliance website page "Substance Use/Mental Health Support Services."