The PATH train slows as it makes its final stop in Journal Square in Jersey City. The doors open, and you step out into the herds of people bustling towards the exit. The sound of stiletto heels click as women with Michael Kors handbags, silk blouses, and long fitted skirts make their way to work. Men in their two pieced suits brush by smelling of musky cologne and a leather briefcase. To an outsider, the city looks like it’s moving up and improving. But a deeper look into the city shows one of the fastest growing and improving areas in New Jersey is facing an epidemic.
Olivia Walker’s nails touch her lips as she thinks
The question was, if you had to guess, what percentage of people in Jersey City have admitted into rehab last year for heroin.
“I honestly have no idea.”
She scratches her head and plays with one of her braids.
“Fifteen percent, maybe 20%.”
According to New Jersey substance abuse admissions, 63% have been admitted for heroin addiction, 53% for cocaine, and 41% for alcohol abuse.
“Oh my God! I never even hear about heroin in Jersey. That’s like half the city, Jesus.”
"We aren't seeing any trends (in drug use) going smaller,” said Kim O'Connor, the managing director of the Mendham Residential Facility in New Jersey. "There's a heroin epidemic in state of New Jersey. The DEA says that the most pure form of heroin resides in New Jersey."
According to drugabusesolution.com, heroin is the most prevalent drug abused in the New Jersey area and the State of New Jersey Department of Human Services – Division on Addiction Services stated that heroin is used by 18-25 year olds in New Jersey at more than twice the national average.
They also report that the United States Drug Enforcement Administration found that cocaine is also one of the most popular drugs in New Jersey and crack remains readily attainable and the drug of choice in many lower income communities.
"People from communities with significant poverty and drug use are likely to use drugs and alcohol until we start dealing with the issues causing them to do so,”O'Connor said.
The median household income in Jersey City is $46,000, according to City of New Jersey’s website, so low income isn’t the only reason for the high drug use in this area.
"There plenty of people who have a lower or higher income having issues with drugs and alcohol", O'Connor said. "Often around traumatic childhood experiences, exposure to adverse childhood experiences makes it more likely to use drugs and alcohol, so any race, religion, or class can suffer from drug addiction."
Olivia Walker’s nails touch her lips as she thinks
The question was, if you had to guess, what percentage of people in Jersey City have admitted into rehab last year for heroin.
“I honestly have no idea.”
She scratches her head and plays with one of her braids.
“Fifteen percent, maybe 20%.”
According to New Jersey substance abuse admissions, 63% have been admitted for heroin addiction, 53% for cocaine, and 41% for alcohol abuse.
“Oh my God! I never even hear about heroin in Jersey. That’s like half the city, Jesus.”
"We aren't seeing any trends (in drug use) going smaller,” said Kim O'Connor, the managing director of the Mendham Residential Facility in New Jersey. "There's a heroin epidemic in state of New Jersey. The DEA says that the most pure form of heroin resides in New Jersey."
According to drugabusesolution.com, heroin is the most prevalent drug abused in the New Jersey area and the State of New Jersey Department of Human Services – Division on Addiction Services stated that heroin is used by 18-25 year olds in New Jersey at more than twice the national average.
They also report that the United States Drug Enforcement Administration found that cocaine is also one of the most popular drugs in New Jersey and crack remains readily attainable and the drug of choice in many lower income communities.
"People from communities with significant poverty and drug use are likely to use drugs and alcohol until we start dealing with the issues causing them to do so,”O'Connor said.
The median household income in Jersey City is $46,000, according to City of New Jersey’s website, so low income isn’t the only reason for the high drug use in this area.
"There plenty of people who have a lower or higher income having issues with drugs and alcohol", O'Connor said. "Often around traumatic childhood experiences, exposure to adverse childhood experiences makes it more likely to use drugs and alcohol, so any race, religion, or class can suffer from drug addiction."