NJ.com: DEA warns of high purity heroin in N.J.

9/14/2014

Ashley Peskoe | NJ Advance Media for NJ.comBy Ashley Peskoe | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com 
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on September 14, 2014 at 11:45 AM, updated September 14, 2014 at 10:44 PM
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heroin.JPGNew Jersey has some of the highest purity heroin in the United States, the DEA warned. 

New Jersey has some of the purest heroin in the United States, recent Drug Enforcement Administration lab tests revealed.

The DEA issued an advisory to the public last week, warning of the on average 58 percent purity level of the drug in the state, an increase of 12 percent from 2011, according to the agency. The drug is originating in South America and coming into the state through the seaports in the Newark, Elizabeth and Philadelphia area, international airports and on the interstate highways.

Last year, 557 deaths in the state were heroin related, according to the DEA.

Authorities have called the heroin problem an “epidemic,” and governor's task force on heroin and opiate abuse issued a report in March calling for reforms, and in May the “Addiction Does Not Discriminate” campaign was launched throughout the state. 

Monmouth and Ocean counties were part of a a pilot program arming law enforcement officers with the anti-opioid drug naloxone, also known as Narcan.

The nasal spray blocks the opiate receptors, displacing the drug to prevent an overdose.

In June, Gov. Chris Christie expanded the program to allow any law enforcement in the state to be trained and equipped with Narcan.

Ashley Peskoe may be reached at apeskoe@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @ashleypeskoe. Find NJ.com on Facebook.