COURT HOUSE – To help combat the growing narcotics problem in South Jersey, Assemblyman Sam Fiocchi is hosting a roundtable discussion on prescription drug abuse Oct. 21. The discussion will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Cape May County Administration Building.
“Arrests for prescription drug charges are up significantly around the state, including in Cape May County,” said Fiocchi, R-Cape May, Atlantic and Cumberland. “Making the issue even more troubling is the obvious link between the abuse of prescription opioids and heroin addiction. We know that pathway to heroin often begins with the misuse of prescriptions in the family medicine cabinet.”
Fiocchi noted that New Jersey’s death rate for heroin overdose is triple the national rate. Almost 800 people were lost to heroin in 2014, and more than 1,500 have died in less than three years.
“We need to reverse this horrible trend,” said Fiocchi. “By sharing ideas with top experts in the field, we hope to find strategies that can help save lives. This deadly addiction is a problem that is present in every neighborhood in every corner of the state. Nobody is immune, regardless of education, income or upbringing.”
The expert panelists joining Fiocchi’s discussion include: Michael Azam and Dr. Manish Singh from the New Jersey Medical Society; Tom Piratzky and Rich Artimowitz, Cape Regional Hospital; Suzanne Mulrain, Seabrook House; Joe Faldetta, Cape Assist; Shannon Nardi, Cape Counseling; and representatives from the Cape May County freeholders, Vineland Police, and Cape May County Sheriff’s Office.
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