New 'Wave' Of Heroin Epidemic Hits New Jersey Suburbs

A "second wave" of heroin abuse's effects has hit New Jersey, impacting young suburban users, according to a report.

A newly released Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report says two out of every five suburban heroin users in New Jersey are likely to be infected with hepatitis C - a virus, or infection, that causes liver disease and inflammation of the liver.

"Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major public health issue," according to the report, entitled "Linkage to Care for Suburban Heroin Users with Hepatitis C Virus Infection, New Jersey, USA."

"Although persons born during 1946– 1964 represent most of the population with chronic HCV infection, young persons, those 17–35 years of age, who inject heroin now make up the second wave of HCV infection," according to the report.

The study derived its results from the Princeton House, a psychiatric facility in suburban New Jersey with an active opioid detoxification program that instituted a new HCV screening program from Oct. 1, 2014 through June 9, 2015.

Link : http://patch.com/new-jersey/westfield/new-wave-heroin-epidemic-hits-new-jersey-suburbs-0