Abstract
New Jersey has a persistent substance addiction problem which must be viewed in the context of laws, policies, and initiatives implemented to address it. The most recent numbers from New Jersey’s Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner show that despite many rigorous efforts during the previous decade, the drug addiction problem remains an evasive challenge. New Jersey has documented 65 drug-related deaths in just the second week of April 2022. This number aligns with weekly averages based on a year-to-date total of 854 deaths as of April 17th, 2022. Informatics applications could automate the review of all relevant data and generate real-time insights to reduce overdose deaths and substance usage in New Jersey.