Drug-related Mortality in Camden: Demographics and Substance Misuse Trends During the 2013 to 2015 Period

Conclusion: A high prevalence of opioid-related mortality was detected in both counties, specifically for Camden County, between the years of 2013 and 2015. An increasing incidence of opioids, specifically heroin and oxycodone, was also detected. Although prescription opioids might contribute to the initial development of addiction, the sudden suspension of these resources, without adequate treatment, can often lead individuals to shift to heroin as cheaper and more potent resource of opioids. Physician education and changing the prescribing patterns as well as harm reduction strategies are needed. For acute pain, the recommendations to provide initial limited amount of opioids have recently been implemented. In addition, a multimodal management plan to treat those struggling from chronic pain should include a psychiatrist/addiction specialist, therapist/addiction counseling, social worker, and family physicians and/or pain specialist. Although the adolescent population was not the age group with the highest mortality during this period of time, early drug intervention is needed to prevent mortality that is being seen in individuals in the second and third decades of life.
Source: Addictive Disorders and Their Treatment - Category: Addiction Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research