Drug Addiction
New Jersey continues to face issues with its residents drug abuse and it seems to some that there is little that can be done to solve these issues. Drug addiction is sweeping the nation and it has affected the state of New Jersey just as it has the other states in the nation. Drugs dont play favorites and none of the New Jersey residents are safe from the destruction of drug abuse. New Jersey drug statistics show that not only are drugs very present in the state, but they are also widely used by the New Jersey residents on an increasing basis.
The sale and abuse of illicit drugs are a major threat to New Jersey residents safety and health. Cocaine is easily obtained in the state as is its cooked counterpart crack. Crack is responsible for many violent crimes and is considered the sole drug responsible for the high rate of crime in the state making it the number one priority and concern in New Jersey. Heroin comes in second place for the biggest concern due to the high potency, availability and low cost. The residents in New Jersey who use the stronger potency heroin are younger than usual. There are also many health concerns related to the heroin use.
While cocaine is currently the number one threat, New Jersey drug statistics show that heroin is trailing close behind and has even passed it in certain cities within New Jersey. Cannabis abuse is very high and it is very obtainable. Cannabis is one of the most popular drugs in the state and abuse is common among the younger generations. Meth sales and manufacture are becoming a big issue for police officials in New Jersey because with meth there are often violent crimes found. Other drugs such as ecstasy and GHB are common among the rave crowd or night party groups and abuse is rising in this area as more and more parties take place in the state.
Prescription drugs are also highly abused in the state according to the drug statistics. Of all the prescription drugs found in New Jersey, Ritalin, oxycontin and adderall are among the biggest threats as their use is increasing. Cocaine is the biggest concern in the state of New Jersey. This drug is responsible for a large number of the drug treatment admissions as well as high crime rates involving beatings, murders and shooting drive-bys. The Colombian drug trafficking groups are the main sources for cocaine in New Jersey. They sell wholesale amounts to the local street dealers who distribute them to the residents and add to the already high rate of abuse.
African American and Dominican drug cartels are responsible for the street level sales of cocaine in New Jersey. Heroin is right next to cocaine as far as a threat to the state of New Jersey goes. It is highly available in the state and widely used. New Jersey drug statistics report that heroin holds responsibility for the majority of the drug treatment admissions for the state as well as many overdose deaths associated with it. The typical heroin user in New Jersey is young and comes from a family that is in between wealthy and poor. The heroin in the state is also distributed by the Dominican and African American cartels. Marijuana growth and abuse is seen throughout the state of New Jersey. There were more than 37,000 marijuana tons taken during official investigations in 95 through 99. Cannabis is not responsible for violent crimes typically and therefore is not considered a huge threat although, the use is high. Some of the marijuana is grown in the state but the majority of it is transported in commercial trucks from Mexico. Meth use and sales are growing and are a cause for concern with officials although, it is still a rather low threat against cocaine and heroin.
To a lesser extent, other drugs such as party drugs, prescription pills and hallucinogens are available and used in New Jersey. These drugs are most often used by the younger residents in the state.
It would seem by looking at the statistics that many drugs are ripping through the communities in New Jersey. The most typical victim of the drug abuse is the unknowing young resident too. This is highly dangerous because the youth are the future generation of this world and if nobody teaches them now that drugs are dangerous then drug abuse can follow them throughout their entire lives and even affect their children when they are older.
Drug dealers do not have a preference to who they sell to and drugs dont have a preference as to who gets addicted to them. Young people are just easy targets because typically, they dont know any better. Family and community efforts can help to teach the future generation about the risks that drug presence and abuse carry with them. If a young resident is approached by a drug dealer and they are unarmed with information, they would likely fall prey to drugs although, if they are made aware then they might think twice about drug use.
Many young people die each year after trying a drug just one time. One time drug use is enough to take away everything in the world from someones mother or father. It is important that parents speak to their children and let them know that they are not alone, that there is help and that drugs can take lives. If you find that your child is using drugs, a drug treatment center should be contacted right away. Dedicated staff and professional doctors can help you to aid your child through drug recovery and could very well be the difference between their life and their death.
You should let your loved one who abuses drugs know that they are not alone. You should also tell them that you are there to support them even though you may not understand. If every drug abuser were offered the kind of help that support and drug treatment centers can provide then, there would be a good chance that the drug abusers of New Jersey could clean their lives of the drugs and live more productively making the state a safer and happier place.
