This past Monday, US Attorney Eric Holder released a statement about heroin and opioid abuse, calling it “an urgent – and growing – public health crisis”. The US Attorney said that heroin overdose deaths have increased a staggering 45% between 2006 and 2010.

A very stark statistic indeed, but we in New Jersey are no strangers to this epidemic. We are home to some of the purest heroin in the country and, as I stated on News 12 New Jersey last night, in 2013, two New Jersey families experienced tragedy due to opioid overdose everyday.

                        This map shows the increase in heroin treatment admissions over a 5 year period

                        image credit: cfnj.org

It’s hard not to sound like a broken record, especially in these weekly installments, but the key to preventing these kinds of tragedies from happening to your kids is strong parental involvement. Your kids need to know the dangers that are involved when it comes to opioid abuse. Talk to them. Let them know that you are there for them to answer any questions they might have. Clean out your medicine chests and follow the American Medicine Chest 5 Step Challenge.

If you feel that your children are abusing drugs, any drugs for that matter, you need to address the issue head on and get help. Most school have student assistance counselors that are a great resource for you or you can call The Addiction Hotline (211) for local treatment options in New Jersey.

Remember, you are their parents. You can be the difference that keeps them on the path of a healthy lifestyle.

For more information on heroin, visit our website.