Report Takes on NJ’s Heroin, Pill Problem

A state panel is offering recommendations on how to combat New Jersey's burgeoning heroin and prescription drug abuse problem.

The Governor's Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse says the use of heroin and prescription opiates in New Jersey is "skyrocketing." Its report released Tuesday says admissions to licensed or certified substance abuse programs due to prescription drug abuse have increased seven-fold over the last decade.

Addiction to prescription drugs often leads to heroin addiction.

The report makes numerous recommendations, such as expanding resources for people to get treatment and making it easier to build treatment centers where they're needed.

The report also recommends expanding mental health and substance abuse programs in county jails, and reviewing insurance practices to make it easier to get mental health and substance abuse treatment.

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