"Hope on the Horizon: N.J. Drug Overdoses Expected to Decline in 2023"
Drug overdose deaths in New Jersey are expected to slightly decrease for the second consecutive year, with 2,368 deaths recorded so far in 2023 compared to 2,892 in 2022. The state's efforts to expand treatment networks and increase access to interventions have contributed to the leveling off of deaths, but advocates emphasize the need for continued education, prevention, and treatment to bring the number of deaths down to zero. Fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, remains a major factor in the ongoing opioid epidemic, and the rising deaths among underserved communities are a cause for concern. Despite New Jersey's aggressive approach, the prevalence of fentanyl and other dangerous substances on the street poses challenges in combating the epidemic.