The drop signals real progress in the state’s long fight against addiction, but county-level data reveals stark disparities that still demand urgent action from treatment providers and policymakers.
For people researching rehab in New Jersey, the numbers carry a clear message: services are working where they’re deployed, but access remains uneven.
Essex County’s Turnaround Leads the State
Essex County, which ranked first in New Jersey for drug overdose deaths in 2024, cut its total roughly in half last year, according to data from the NJ Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner.
That dramatic improvement pushed Camden County, previously second in the state, to the top of the 2025 death count, even though Camden itself saw a 17% reduction in overdose deaths.
Camden County’s Rate Remains More Than Double the State Average
Raw totals tell only part of the story. Camden County’s overdose death rate in 2025 was 31.5 per 100,000 residents — compared to the statewide average of 13.8 per 100,000. Essex County’s rate stood at 17.7 per 100,000.
Camden County Communications Director Dan Keashen noted that roughly 15 years ago, the county was averaging one overdose death per day. Community-wide efforts have driven that number down significantly, but he was clear that the work is far from over.
What Camden County Is Doing
Camden County has taken a multi-pronged public health approach to overdose prevention. Naloxone kits have been distributed broadly in schools, on school buses, in parks and across public buildings.
The Camden County Police Department has also embedded two social workers to help connect individuals struggling with addiction to appropriate care.
On a larger scale, the county is constructing a $9 million resource center in Camden city, scheduled to open this year at Broadway and Liberty Street.
The facility will serve people facing substance use disorders or homelessness, offering referral services and coordination across multiple agencies. That kind of integrated model, combining housing support with addiction services, reflects a growing evidence base for treating co-occurring conditions together.
What This Means for Treatment Seekers
A 27% statewide decline in overdose deaths reflects the real impact of expanded access to services like naloxone distribution, social work integration, and community-based treatment referrals. For anyone researching rehab options in New Jersey, this context matters. Communities investing in treatment infrastructure are seeing results.
However, Camden County’s rate of 31.5 deaths per 100,000 residents is a reminder that geographic disparities persist. Where you live in New Jersey can significantly affect how quickly and easily you can access addiction treatment.
One positive note when it comes to the state’s battle against addiction, according to Rehab.com’s drug use statistics, New Jersey has one of the lowest rates of drug use in the country.
Exploring Treatment Options in New Jersey
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction in, now is an important moment to act. The progress seen in 2025 is tied directly to treatment access and more resources are coming online.
Consider these steps as you research your options: compare rehab centers in Camden, Essex, and surrounding counties; verify whether facilities offer medication-assisted treatment (MAT) using FDA-approved medications like buprenorphine or naltrexone; and confirm that your insurance covers inpatient or outpatient addiction treatment under state and federal parity laws.
Rehab.com’s directory includes thousands of verified treatment centers nationwide, including facilities serving New Jersey. Call
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