The Burlington County Commissioners acknowledged another big drop in suspected drug-related deaths last year, saying the total was the lowest in over a decade and show County programs and support services are helping to save lives.
A total of 59 suspected drug deaths were reported in Burlington County in 2025, according to preliminary numbers posted by the Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner. That represents a 32% reduction from the 88 suspected drug deaths in 2024.
The 2025 reduction marked the fourth consecutive year of declining drug deaths in the county, which peaked in 2018 when 159 people died from suspected drug overdoses. It was also the lowest total on record dating back to 2012 when 67 people died, according to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office NJ Cares reports.
“Every death is a tragedy, but we are very encouraged by the dramatic decreases we’ve seen over the last several years,” said Burlington County Commissioner Director Felicia Hopson. “The decline is proof positive that our efforts to eliminate stigma surrounding substance use disorder and expand access to effective treatment and support services are working.”
Recovery assistance and community resources
Among the County programs initiated during the last seven years was the launch of Hope One Mobile Outreach vehicle in 2019. The unit regularly travels to communities throughout the county to offer training on overdose antidote use, make referrals to recovery services and provide other resources for those struggling with substance use disorders or other mental health ailments.
In 2024, the County launched a second mobile outreach van called Hope One for Youth that specializes in mental health and substance use prevention education for children and teens.
In addition to the two Hope One vehicles, the County has opened two Peer Recovery Centers. Both centers serve as locations where residents in recovery from substance use disorders can come to receive free support services, including wellness activities, support meetings and assistance finding housing or employment.
The first Recovery Center opened in 2020 in the Burlington County Human Services Building at 795 Woodlane Road, Westampton. A second center opened in 2022 in Burlington City Hall at 525 High Street, Burlington.
Last year, more than 1,025 people received services or assistance from the two recovery centers.
Some of the other actions Burlington County has taken include the creation of a Regional Opioid Advisory Council to develop recommendations for disbursement of opioid settlement monies the County receives. One of the group’s recommendations the Commissioners approved was to appropriate $200,000 from the settlement to make grants available to all 40 Burlington County municipalities for evidence-based substance use prevention programs.
Opioid emergency kits
The County also continues to distribute opioid emergency kits to local schools, libraries, houses of worship, motels and other locations. The kits are similar to wall-mounted automated external defibrillator cabinets but contain the overdose antidote Naloxone, also known as Narcan.
More than 250 emergency kits have been distributed throughout the county since 2023, and the County has also trained and distributed Narcan to close to 1,000 first responders and community members.
The Department of Human Services Behavioral Health and Addiction Services Division launched and expanded Camp Cardinal, a free day camp program at YMCA of the Pines in Medford. The program is exclusively for children who have suffered a loss due to substance use disorder or who have been impacted by substance use disorder within their immediate family.
Twenty-eight children participated in the two camp sessions last year.
“Since 2019, suspected drug deaths in Burlington County have dropped more than 62% to the lowest in over a decade,” added Commissioner Randy Brolo, the new liaison to the County Department of Human Services. “We won’t rest until there are zero deaths, but we’re pleased with the progress that’s being made. It’s a credit to our County Department of Human Services staff and our partnerships with the Prosecutor’s Office, local and first responders, health care providers and support groups. Working together we’re saving lives and providing help, support and hope to those on the front lines in the fight against substance use disorders.”