Heroin Abuse Rising; Overdoses Result

COURT HOUSE – Cape May County Prosecutor Robert L. Taylor, in conjunction with Chief William Mastriana of the Lower Township Police Department, reports a concerning issue involving drug-related overdoses directly linked to the illicit abuse of heroin, a schedule I controlled dangerous substance. Over the past two weeks there has been an alarming rise in drug-related overdoses throughout the county, and more especially in Lower Township where police have alone responded to and aided 10 separate individuals suffering from drug-related overdoses from the use of heroin.
Prosecutor Taylor warns area drug users and the general public of the propensity of overdosing and even death from the use of heroin and often substances unknowingly mixed with the heroin by drug distributors. Drug distributors will often mix or “cut,” a term commonly used on the street to describe a substance added to heroin in an attempt to increase an amount of product to gain larger profit margin after distributing to users on the street. Often times, drug distributors will utilize any substance available to them which is similar in color and consistency regardless of the harmfulness to users. In some cases these drug distributors will gain access to Fentanyl, an extremely powerful and deadly schedule II controlled dangerous substance, which is approximately 100 times more potent than heroin.
Officers are continuing to make lifesaving efforts administering Narcan to individuals suffering from heroin-related overdoses, however because of the substances being mixed with heroin by drug distributors, there is no guarantee that Narcan will be effective in every case and users should be aware. In 2014 there were a total of 13 Narcan deployments county-wide and from January 1, 2015 to date this year there has been 32 Narcan deployments in the county.
Prosecutor Taylor warns the general public of the dangers of heroin and the potential for addiction and on some occasions drug-related overdose and even death.
Prosecutor Taylor added that his offices Gangs, Guns and Narcotics Task Force is working vigorously with members of the Lower Township Police Department as well as each of the local municipalities within the county to identify and target the individuals who are selling these dangerous mixes of heroin to the community. Prosecutor Taylor also commented that his office is working with several State and Federal agencies, including the DEA, FBI, and New Jersey State Police, to identify the corridors of entry into the county where these drugs are being trafficked and to eventually infiltrate these drug distribution networks, and disband and prosecute these individuals. Information regarding any illegal drug activity and or any criminal activity within the community can be reported anonymously through the Cape May County Sheriffs Tip Line at cmcsheriff.net and click on anonymous tip, or through the Cape May County Crime Stoppers at 609-465-2800 or 877-465-2801, Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-465-1168.