In 2021, more than 3,000 people in New Jersey lost their lives to drug overdoses. The majority of these overdoses were caused by opioids and many were linked to illicit fentanyl. New Jersey, like many other states in the US, have made efforts to curb the effect of the opioid epidemic by improving access to opioid addiction treatment and increasing funding for addiction awareness, education, and harm reduction. An alarming new trend has begun to appear, however. The opioid epidemic’s traditional face, which had long been disproportionately white, has changed as Blacks are now more likely to die of overdose.
New Jersey Drug Overdose Deaths by Race
NJ Governor Phil Murphy stated at a recent opioid addiction event (which announced the Johnson & Johnson settlement the state is set to receive), “We know racial disparities exist everywhere, and this is no exception.” As of 2021, after several years of trend reversal, Blacks are now more likely to suffer fatal drug overdose than whites.
In 2021, the Black/African American community made up 12.4% of the population of New Jersey, but accounted for more than 25% of the overdose death rates. Whites in 2021 made up 51.9% of the population and 57% of overdose deaths in New Jersey. Some historical numbers help to put this shift into perspective.
Just a few years ago, in 2015 whites accounted for 76% of overdose deaths. In that time, the the demographics of the population haven’t changed that significantly, but the impact of opioids on the Black community absolutely have. Hispanics now also make up a larger portion of overdose deaths, representing 15% of deaths (a rise from 9% in 2015).