Pubdate: Sun, 08 Jan 2006 Source: Courier-Post (Cherry Hill, NJ) Copyright: 2006 Courier-Post Contact: http://www.courierpostonline.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/826 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin) SOUTH JERSEY TOO HIGH ON LISTS OF BAD HABITS Those in the region with drug, gambling and tobacco problems need to get help. As a new year begins, South Jerseyans have some life-wrecking and even potentially fatal habits that should be addressed. To trivialize them as the sort of resolutions most of us halfheartedly make then break at the start of each year wouldn't be right. No, educators, law enforcers and parents in our region need to make a commitment to do more to prevent kids from succumbing to substance and gambling addictions. Adults consumed by these vices, especially those looking for a way to quit, need to be made aware of the resources out there to help them. Then they must have the conviction to take advantage of that help. Why should South Jerseyans be singled out? Because the recently released 2003 New Jersey Household Survey on Drug Use and Health, which polled 14,660 households around the state, painted a disturbing picture of how South Jerseyans compare to the rest of New Jersey. South Jerseyans are more likely to use illegal drugs, smoke and have a gambling problem than those in the rest of the state. Drugs Among New Jersey's 21 counties, Camden had the highest percentage of residents reporting they had used illegal drugs in the past year -- 9.1 percent. Gloucester County was second on that list with 8.6 percent of its residents reporting they'd used illegal drugs in the past year. Statewide, just 6 percent of New Jerseyans reported using drugs in the past year. In Burlington County, just 4.8 percent of residents reported using illegal drugs, putting the county near the bottom of the list. Gloucester County was also tied with Ocean County for the largest spike in heroin use, findings that prompted the state to announce that methadone clinics to treat heroin addicts would be opened in each of those counties. Overall, the study found that 5 percent of New Jersey's young adults have used heroin as compared with 2 percent nationally. Heroin is one of the deadliest and most addicting drugs there is, so data such as this is troubling. Parents, educators and law enforcers around the region clearly need to do more to keep kids from experimenting with heroin and other dangerous illegal drugs. These role models also must do more to teach South Jersey kids who don't use drugs to encourage their friends who are using to get help or to quit. Likewise, friends and family members of adult drug users need to do everything they can to convince drug users to get help before they ruin their lives. There are numerous in-patient and out-patient programs in the region for drug abusers. Smoking While legal, smoking is another habit that can kill and, unfortunately, it seems South Jersey residents are more likely than other New Jerseyans to smoke. The eight counties that make up the southern part of the state were among the top nine counties where the highest percentage of residents said they smoked cigarettes in the past 30 days. Cape May County was tops on the list with 27.4 percent of those surveyed saying they smoked. Burlington and Camden counties were third and fourth on the list at 24.9 percent and 24.5 percent respectively. Gloucester County was sixth at 23.8 percent. To compare, overall, 21 percent of New Jerseyans said they smoked cigarettes in the past 30 days. In Morris County, just 14.5 percent of residents said they'd smoked. With the dangers of smoking well known, it's likely many South Jerseyans who smoke are either planning to quit in the near future or are trying to quit now. We encourage those who want to end their potentially fatal addiction to cigarettes to get help. Quitting alone can be difficult. But with the help of others who know the struggles of quitting, the chance of breaking the habit for good could be increased. We encourage those who want to quit to call or visit the Web site of one of the groups listed in the adjoining list. Furthermore, we encourage those who aren't thinking of quitting to educate themselves as to just how deadly their habit is to themselves and those closest to them. Gambling Camden and Gloucester counties also topped another unfortunate list in the survey: percentage of residents with a gambling problem. Camden County topped the state with 5.1 percent of residents admitting to having a gambling problem at least once in their lives. Gloucester County was second with 4.7 percent saying they'd had a gambling problem. Burlington County, at 3.4 percent of residents admitting a gambling problem, was closer to the statewide average of 3 percent. Certainly, our region's proximity to Atlantic City's casinos means those with gambling problems can more easily place a bet. Without help, those hooked on gambling often only get worse, eventually betting nearly everything they have and ruining their lives in the process. Yet those who are addicted often deny they have a problem and are resistant to getting help. If you know someone who has a gambling problem, don't be afraid to confront them about it and push them to attend Gambler's Anonymous meetings. With the national poker boom turning more young New Jerseyans into gamblers, this is a problem that will only get worse. Those who know someone with a gambling problem need to do everything possible to make sure he or she gets help before it's too late. It's unfortunate to see that residents in this region are among the most likely in the state to engage in such unhealthy habits that have the potential to ruin lives. We hope that those who are hopelessly addicted to these vices, whether it's on their own or with a push from a friend or family member, will take advantage of the resources listed here and get help to break that addiction. A great new year for South Jersey would be one in which those who want to break their addictions finally do so. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman