In the midst of what is likely the largest opioid epidemic in American history, South Jersey can now be added to the list of danger areas. The war against drugs has long been a major problem for US society, with little progress made and, when one problem is resolved, another likely appears. It’s part of the reason why South Jersey officials are witnessing a massive uptake in methamphetamine activities within the region.
The New Jersey Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration made the claim that “super labs” are producing massive quantities of meth at pure levels. Found across a whole third of the state now, this problem is one that is quickly getting out of hand.
According to Timothy McMahon, the Special Agent and Public Information Officer for the state divisions’ DEA, said: “Exactly why it’s specific to southern New Jersey, we’re not 100 percent sure.”
Despite the fact that this make of the drug is almost 100-percent pure, it’s not seeing a rise in the price – meaning that demand is skyrocketing to go alongside it. Jeffrey Sutherland, a Cape May County Prosecutor, said: “Whenever you see an uptick of something, you have to wonder why and if it’s going to increase,
“Sometimes when you’re effective battling one issue, like the opioid crisis, then the suppliers go in a different direction.”
With 50 new cases raised in 2017 alone, a 400% increase from 2016, and 2018 already seeing more cases than 2017 despite having some time to run, there’s an obvious problem developing here.
The ‘perfect substitute’
Many people wind up on methamphetamines due to an inability to get their hands on either heroine or other opiates. Offering a strong and powerful high, methamphetamines make an obvious replacement for the drug of choice for many. That might play a role in the rising usage and demand for the drug.
For his part, Sutherland believes that the Cape May County area suffers mostly due to it being a popular tourist spot. For that reason, it can bring in many people who are also looking to score. However, this problem is in direct contrast to the northern part of the state, where the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office said: “The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office continues to make arrests and seizures with all types of drugs involved, including cocaine, LSD, marijuana and others,
“That being said, heroin, fentanyl and other opioids continue to have the most severe impact on the county.”
Alongside the staggering increase in usage for methamphetamines, there is also a growing usage in cocaine, ‘Molly’ and marijuana. Indeed, in June 2018, offices took down a group that was moving as much as 10,000 bags of heroin, alongside a kilogram of cocaine, in a single week. This problem is growing all the time, and finding a solution to this problem is essential.