Treatment may be less available

As the COVID pandemic took hold in 2020, admissions to substance abuse treatment plummeted. And they have failed to rebound. But overdoses continue to claim lives in Essex County.

How are we treating the problem?

Admissions to drug treatment in Essex County fell 37% between 2018 and 2024, from a rate of 161 per 10,000 people to 101. This downward trend began in 2019, when the rate fell to 138, but has started to increase again since a low of 87 in 2021 and 2022. Year to year, the admission rate increased 2% in 2023 and 13% in 2024.

Heroin and other opioids continue to drive an overwhelming share of treatment admissions. They are the primary drug associated with nearly half of all admissions in both Essex County and the state, followed by alcohol, which drives about a third of total admissions. However, since 2018 admissions for alcohol, and heroin & other opioids has decreased while admissions for Cocaine use have increased.

Overdose deaths persist

Although drug overdose deaths suggest there remains a consistent need for treatment, the rate of death from drug poisoning has declined since 2018 from 3.6 per 100,000 residents in Essex County to 2.3 per 100,000 residents. This is similar to the rates for both the state (2.2) and the nation (2.3) and higher than comparable counties (which range from 1.0 to 1.8). These figures include deaths from all types of drugs, and both accidental and intentional deaths. The fatality rate in Essex County has declined since a high of 4.0 in 2020, and maintained that positive trend through 2024.

Drug-related arrests have declined

Over the past 10 years, drug-related arrests have decreased 41%. The rate of arrests per 1,000 residents was 1.5 in 2015 and has decreased to 0.9 in 2024.

Drug abuse has far-reaching effects

The available data only tell part of the story – we know that drug addiction has far-reaching effects. Addiction, overdoses, and arrests all disrupt the life of the user and their family, exacting health, financial and emotional costs. The availability of treatment in Essex County seems to be an important issue for further study and action.