Updated Drug and Alcohol Statistics for New Jersey

Substance use in New Jersey has evolved significantly over the past two decades, reflecting changes in drug availability, shifting demographics, and various public health responses. This article compiles the most current statistics on drug and alcohol trends in the state, providing a comprehensive resource for those seeking authoritative, data-driven insights.

From early declines in adolescent drinking to a more recent surge in synthetic opioid fatalities, the Garden State’s experience highlights the complexities of a rapidly changing substance use landscape. Below is a thorough examination of prevalence rates, demographic shifts, and significant substance-specific patterns based on the most recent data available.

Key Data Highlights

• 18.8% of adolescents (ages 12–17) reported past-month alcohol use between 2004 and 2008.
• New Jersey witnessed 3,047 opioid-related deaths at the 2021 peak, declining to 2,564 in 2023.
• 74.2% of 2022 overdose deaths involved fentanyl, indicating high synthetic opioid prevalence.
• Alcohol-related mortality contributed to 3,008 annual deaths (2015–2019) statewide.

These statistics underscore the scale of substance-related challenges in New Jersey. Below, we delve into more detailed data to present a clear snapshot of emerging and persistent trends.

Historical Prevalence Trends

Data over the last two decades capture pivotal shifts in the types of substances causing the most harm.

• Between 2004 and 2008, 10.5% of adolescents engaged in binge drinking each month.
• Middle school past-month alcohol use dropped from 24.6% in 1999 to 13.8% in 2005, a notable early prevention success.
• Opioid-related mortality surged post-2010, reaching 3,047 deaths in 2021 before declining to 2,564 in 2023.
• Fentanyl involvement in overdose deaths was 74.2% by 2022, illustrating the shift toward synthetic opioids.

These historical patterns show how rapidly drug landscapes can change and highlight fluctuations in adolescent and adult drinking levels. The table below compares New Jersey’s 2022 overdose statistics with neighboring states.

The data indicate that New Jersey’s overdose death rate is slightly below its neighbors’ in some measures but remains a pressing concern. Fentanyl consistently drives a large portion of overdose deaths across the region.

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Demographic Differences in New Jersey

Demographic patterns provide insight into how substance use varies across age, gender, and racial or ethnic groups.

• Males consistently made up 68–69% of treatment admissions, with heroin often cited as the primary substance.
• Female admissions rose from 30.9% in 2021 to 31% in 2022, frequently driven by alcohol and prescription opioids.
• Youth (ages 12–17) accounted for 1% of total treatment admissions in 2022, down from 19% in 2005.
• Among racial groups, non-Hispanic Whites declined from 58% to 51% of admissions by 2022, reflecting increases among Black and Hispanic populations.

These patterns illustrate how age cohorts and gender distributions have shifted over time. The following table highlights changes in the dominant age brackets for substance use treatment.

Younger admissions have steadily decreased, while older adults now represent a growing share of treatment entries across the state.

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Opioid and Fentanyl Trends

Opioid abuse, particularly involving fentanyl, has driven high overdose rates in recent years.

• Heroin use was the primary cause in 38% of 2021 treatment admissions, a peak for the substance.
• Fentanyl adulteration contributed to 2,266 deaths in 2022, frequently in combination with cocaine (39% co-occurrence).
• Prescription opioids accounted for 5,844 admissions under the “other opiates” category in 2021.
• New Jersey reported a 12% reduction in total overdoses from 2021 to 2023, surpassing the national average decline.

The state’s focus on naloxone distribution and increased availability of fentanyl test strips has been noted alongside the recent downturn in opioid fatalities. The table below shows the shift in overdose drivers.

These figures reflect how the growing availability of synthetic opioids has transformed the landscape of overdose risk in New Jersey.

Alcohol Use in New Jersey

Although opioids attract considerable attention, alcohol use remains a persistent and significant concern.

• Adult binge drinking reached 16.6% by 2022, up from lower rates a decade prior.
• High school binge drinking persisted at around 23% in 2021, despite prevention efforts.
• Alcohol was linked to an estimated 3,008 annual deaths (2015–2019) across the state.
• Sussex County recorded chronic heavy drinking rates of 10.2%, surpassing state averages.

The burden from alcohol misuse intersects with other substance issues, underlining the need for continued public health surveillance. Here is a county-level snapshot of alcohol-related indicators in 2022.

Alcohol consumption patterns vary by region, with some counties experiencing higher heavy drinking prevalence relative to statewide averages.

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Emerging Substances and Polysubstance Use

New Jersey data also show rising concerns for methamphetamine and combined drug use.

• Methamphetamine admissions increased by 1,123% from 2010 to 2022, though overall usage remains lower than national figures.
• In 2023, 65% of overdose cases involved multiple substances, frequently combining fentanyl and cocaine.
• Polysubstance overdoses often lead to more severe medical complications and lower likelihood of effective on-the-spot reversal.

These statistics illustrate the broadening scope of risk beyond a single drug, with methamphetamine and polysubstance use becoming increasingly prominent in recent admissions and overdose data.

Key Statistics Summary

• Youth (12–17) treatment admissions dropped from 19% in 2005 to 1% in 2022.
• 74.2% of overdose deaths in 2022 involved fentanyl.
• 16.6% of New Jersey adults reported binge drinking by 2022.
• Over 65% of 2023 overdose deaths were polysubstance-related.
• Methamphetamine treatment admissions grew by 1,123% since 2010.

These figures demonstrate the persistent challenges of opioid dependence, the ever-present burden of alcohol misuse, and a clear rise in polysubstance use. Although recent decreases in opioid-related fatalities are encouraging, the overall landscape remains complex, requiring continued data monitoring and adaptation by public health entities.

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