US Surgeon General Comes to New Jersey to Discuss Prescription Drug Abuse Epidemic

The US Surgeon General, Vivek H. Murthy, recently visited New Jersey to talk about the problem of prescription painkiller abuse that is causing countless emergency room visits and overdose deaths all across the country. Prescription opioid abuse is a particular problem in the Garden State, so it is fitting that Murthy came to NJ as part of the Turn the Tide tour. Turn the Tide is an organization that has launched a national campaign to end the nation’s prescription opioid crisis by talking directly to the doctors prescribing the medication. Murthy has made it a point to bring Turn the Tide to states like New Jersey where prescription drug abuse is running rampant. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heroin overdose deaths in NJ have nearly doubled in the past 10 years. Moreover, approximately 28,000 New Jersey residents required treatment for heroin abuse or prescription opioid abuse last year. When Murthy came to New Jersey for a forum on drug abuse, he was hosted by NJ Senator Bob Menendez and NJ Senator Cory Booker. The drug addiction forum was held at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston NJ and moderated by Angelo Valente, the executive director of Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey. While addressing a panel of physicians, Murthy talked about the steps that doctors in NJ and elsewhere can potentially take to reduce the number of prescription painkiller overdoses. One of the most important steps that health officials and experts can take going forward, said Murthy, is to educate and inform patients about the dangers posed by prescription narcotics. Murthy also urged physicians to improve their oversight of patients who have been prescribed a regimen of opioids for pain management. Murphy said that it is important that patients are not left to their own devices after being prescribed powerful painkillers. For more information, view the PR Newswire article, “Surgeon General Calls on Prescribers to Mobilize to Prevent Opioid Abuse.” If you or a loved one was arrested for illegal possession of prescription drugs, heroin possession, or any other drug crime in New Jersey or Pennsylvania, you should speak with a qualified criminal defense lawyer. The experienced, skilled criminal defense attorneys at Garber Law will help you fight your drug offense charges and avoid the most serious penalties. Contact us now to schedule a free consultation.