drug overdoses

As prescription drug abuse and heroin use continue to shoot through the roof, the New Jersey Governor's Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse is out with a series of recommendations about how to address the problems.

Some police officers in New Jersey are now permitted to administer a drug that counteracts heroin overdoses.

Gov. Chris Christie has signed a waiver allowing first responders to carry and administer medication to treat drug overdose patients in emergency situations.

Ocean County officials are banding together in hopes of putting a stop to the number of drug overdoses in the county.  To date, there have been 83 drug overdose deaths. In 2012, there were 53.

Legislation that provides legal protection to people who violate the law while they are attempting to help a drug overdose victim, and those who administer overdose antidotes, has been signed into law.

People seeking medical attention for someone overdosing on drugs would be protected from prosecution under a bill that has passed the New Jersey Legislature.