To Heroin Addiction
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• r U n i o n C o u n t y ^ L o c a l S o u r c e THURSDAY. SEPTEM BER 4, 2014 UNIONNEWSDAILY.COM VOL. 97 NO. 35 50 CENTS The ‘gateway’ to heroin addiction With opiates at the top of accidentai deaths, battiing the 'epidemic' is more important than ever By Cheryl Hehl sey's New Drug Problem," a strategic action plan to address Staff Writer The number o f drug deaths in the state a burgeoning heroin-opiate epidemic among adolescents Heroin use continues to rise in New Jersey at an alarm rose from 843 in 2010 to 1,026 in 2011 and young adults, this is a new kind of drug crisis, one that ing rate, especially in upper-middle class suburbs. In fact, and 1,294 deaths in 2013. Approximately is affecting counfiess young people previously thought to be the skyrocketing use of heroin and other opiates has two-thir^ o f all those deaths involved at low risk of addiction. become the number one health care crisis confronting the prescription drugs rather than solely For example, in 2012, the last year the state had statis state and Union County. It is also killing young adults at an illicit street drugs. tics, there were more than 8,300 admissions to state alarming rate. licensed or certified substance abuse treatment programs The problem, no longer isolated to the streets of Newark 1,294 deaths in 2013. Approximately two-thirds of all those due to prescription drug abuse, an increase of over 200 or Camden, is killing young adults i8 to 25 in towns like deaths involved prescription drugs rather than solely illicit percent over the last five years. Alarmingly, forty percent of Cranford, Union, Rahway, Clark and other bedroom com street drugs. opiate admissions for treatment involved young adults ages munities in Union County. Drug overdose deaths now sur A report issued recently by the Task Force on Heroin 25-years-old or younger. pass deaths from motor vehicle accidents, which had and Other Opiate Use in New Jersey's Youth and Young Critical here is that prescription opiate drug abuse is always been the leading cause of accidental death in the Adult identified heroin and opiate use as the number one considered a "gateway" to street heroin use. United States. healthcare crisis confronting the state. Many users, the report noted, begin their journey to Prescription drugs were implicated in the deaths of It pointed to a five-year increase of more than 200 per addiction through legally prescribed pain medications, but more than 700 New Jersey residents in 2011 and 2012, cent in the number of admissions to licensed or certified once addicted it is a shppery slope to moving on to heroin. according to statistics released by State Assistant Medical treatment programs for prescription drug abuse, and a 700 The need to maintain a supply of pDls becomes extremely Examiner Dr. Roger Mitchell. The number of drug deaths percent increase over the last decade. expensive and more often than not the only choice is to in the state rose from 843 in 2010 to 1,026 in 2011 and According to 2014 state report "Confronting New Jer See I W AS 17, Page 6 State report shows major infractions at Linden animai sheiter By Cheryl Hehl Staff Writer LINDEN — The city has a lot of work to do at the animal shelter in order to pass muster with the state health department after an inspec tion found 29 violations and slapped an unsatisfactory rating on the door. Although Linden contracts with five other municipalities who pay for animals control services, the shelter was in deplorable condition, without proper documentation or veterinary supervision, while some animals were in an "emaciated" condition, the state said. Linden Health Department records involving the shelter were also found to be incomplete and not maintained. Meanwhile, although the state completed its inspection of the Lin den shelter, according to sources, state inspectors have continued to investigate how this situation occurred. Last week, sources indicated that state health department inspec tors were visiting towns that contract with Linden for animal control services to review their contracts with the city. Although the city is planning on demolishing the aging animal shel ter at the beginning of next year and building a new one, the New Jer sey Department of Health and Senior Services expects violations they found will be addressed within 30 days, regardless if the facility is Photo By David VanDeventer being tom down at the end of the year or not. If the violations are not ‘GARTEN’ PARTY — The Deutscher Club in Clark held their annual Biergarten extravaganza and addressed the state could shut down the shelter. Classic Car show last week on Friday, Aug. 29. Hundreds of people turned out for German and If this happens, the five towns that contract with Linden for animal American food, music and lots of beer, as well as to enjoy all of the vintage vehicles. See LINDEN, Page 8 2 — September 4, 2014 — Union Coimty LocalSource It's time to expand your perception of what urgent care can be. Summit Medical Group now has a new urgent care center in Westfield. You don't have to choose a trip to the hospital when struck with a sudden illness or injury. Rely on our experienced team of board-certified emergency department physicians and nurses. Photos By David VanDeventer The Biergarten at the Deutscher Club of Clark was a blast for many Union Our urgent care center also offers these advantages: County residents as they enjoyed German-American food, various beers and great music at the event on Friday, Aug. 29. Visit www.deutscherclub.us to • Shorter wait times and less expensive than a regular learn more about the group. hospital emergency visit • Onsite diagnostic capabilities, imaging and lab testing • A team of specialists readily available for consultation • Fully coordinated care if follow-up is needed • 1 electronic file connecting your urgent care to your primary care if you are an established patient Additional services at this site include: orthopedics, physical/ occupational/speech therapy, ENT/allergy, and more. Discover how good urgent care can be at Summit Medical Group's new Westfield location. SUMMIT MEDICAL GROUP Live well, stay well. Open Now! 574 Springfield Avenue, Westfield 908-673-7227 Visit summitmedicalgroup.com for hours and more info. Union County LocalSource — September 4, 2014 — 3 S tu y v e s a n t ■ HAIRCUTTING "H\0N Some residents have raised con cerns about the company that was allowed to hand out free backpacks ■ •ICH and school suplies to elementary school students and their parents at SCHOOL a recent gathering on school Quality Hair Cuts At grounds. The concerns stem from Affordable Prices the groups politically-active back ground in both New Jersey and New SENIOR CITIZEN $ 1 1 00 York. SPECIAL JL * Mon., Tiles., Wed^Thurs., Fri. OPEN MON. thru SAT. 1654 STUYVESANT AVE. • UNION 908-851-2813 Free backpacks in Union come UNION from poiiticaiiy active group NEWS 0 By Cheryl Hehl lawmakers were up for election in two straight cycles. Staff Writer Better Education for Kids, according to information obtained by UNION - Questions continue to surface about the company that LocalSource, hired two high-profile political consultants, Mike 0 handed out 1,500 backpacks to first- through third-grade students DuHaime, a Republican and former top advisor to Gov. Christie, and their parents last week. and Fox & Shuffler, a lobbying firm whose founders were in top DAILY LocalSource looked into whether Better Education for Kids positions with former Democratic governors. actually is bankrolled by two hedge-fund managers using cash to Christie, who spent a good portion of his first year in office help elect candidates who agree with its ideas on education, tenure attacking the teachers union and tearing down the practice of “In Business 60 Years” reform, voucher programs and teacher merit pay. deducting dues to help fund the NJEA’s more than $100 million Results showed the group is very active in New York and New annual budget. Jersey emd has been since 2011, working against the New Jersey In 2010 the NJEA went into overdrive, spending a record $6.6 Quality Education Association. million on ads targeting the governor’s budget cuts, layoff of teach For example, a June 23, 2011 Wall Street Journal reporter lisa ers, police officers and firefighters, according to records and bills Fleisher reported a new group on the scene at the time called Bet obtained by LocalSource. ter Education for Kids wanted to end the use of seniority in teacher- In 2011 the union launched several ad campaigns, including one Decorators hiring decisions, implement an effective teacher-evaluation system saying Christie was protecting millionaires at the expense of public 632 Boulevard, Kenilworth and weaken tenure. schools. DuHaime shot back saying the NJEA spent at least $7 mil Much of what Better Education for Kids was promoting in 2011, lion on this ad campaign. and in 2014, conflicts with the policies of the New Jersey Education In 2010 a group called Reform Jersey Now, padded with Christie 908-241-2975 Association, which represents approximately 200,000 teachers, advisors and associates, spent more than $500,000 on advertise retirees and education professionals. ments, direct mailing and phone calls in districts with lawmakers 65% Discount Better Education for Kids was started by New Jersey residents blocking or speaking against the governor’s goals, according to doc on Vertical, 1” Blinds & Pleated Shades David Tepper and Alan Fournier, who founded the Appaloosa Man uments obtained by LocalSource.