Substance Abuse Treatment Report
A staggering 10 percent of all admissions for substance abuse treatment in New Jersey came from Ocean County residents last year, according to newly released data (link to full report, county admissions table on page 4). Atlantic County residents made up 6 percent of all statewide admissions (the fifth most admissions last year behind Ocean, Camden, Essex and Monmouth counties). There is a breakdown of 2016 admission data by town (here for Atlantic County on page 5 and here for Ocean County on page 5). The bulk of the Atlantic County admissions come from Atlantic City and Egg Harbor Township, while most of the Ocean County admissions were from Brick and Toms River Townships. The admission numbers from other South Jersey counties were much smaller, but looked at on a per 100,000 population basis, Cape May County had the highest rate of admissions (2,252 for every 100,000 county residents). Hat tip to Patch.com for first reporting on this here.
South Jersey Unloved
South Jersey doesn’t get much love in the New Jersey Monthly’s ranking of best places to live… Ho-Ho-Kus is top of the list (because low crime, rising home values, reasonable taxes, good schools, apparently). Margate is the highest of the Atlantic County towns at – wait for it – number 185. Also representing South Jersey, Sea Isle City did slightly better at number 153. Read Cat Country’s take on the ranking here, and read the ranking (you have to give your email address to get the full list) at New Jersey Monthly here.
Sexual Harassment Case
We don’t usually get into this kind of thing much but probably a lot of people you know will be talking about this sexual harassment suit involving the owners of Margate’s Tipsy Taco & Tequila Bar.
It’s not South Jersey, but we know our readers are interested are interested in planning and development, so you might want to read this Stateline report on how public-restroom availability affects the cleanliness of towns.
In the rest of the day’s news, Ventnor received funding to offer full-day pre-k for three- and four-year-olds, read this preview of the LD2 Bell v Brown battle, Rowan’s Burlington County president is on administrative leave unexpectedly and here’s what’s coming up at the revived Gateway Playhouse in Somers Point this fall. All that and more below:
Ventnor to Institute Fee For Taking 4-Wheel-Drive Vehicles on Beach–In an effort to encourage fishermen to continue to cast their lines on the beach, the Board of Commissioners proposed an ordinance that would issue permits to allow 4-wheel-drive vehicles on the sand during the offseason. An ordinance was introduced Aug. 17 to amend beach regulations to allow vehicles on the beach with a permit. Shore News Today
Charter School Finds New Home in Egg Harbor Township–Parents and community members got a sneak peek at the new, permanent location for the International Academy of Atlantic City Charter School Tuesday, two days before school starts for the year. Shore News Today
When Company Towns Lose Their Company–Buildings that haven’t felt a heartbeat in decades dot the streets of Penns Grove, boarded up, draped in torn tarps, and locked in chains, sagging and leaning like tombstones for sale in a cemetery no one visits. Philly.com
‘Legal’ Marijuana has Racial, Class Gap in NJ | Opinion–The state may introduce recreational marijuana first in Atlantic City, but then penalize its citizens harshly for using it and driving. NJ.com
Bell Picked to Replace Whelan in NJ Senate–Atlantic County Democrats unanimously appointed Colin Bell to the state Senate seat left vacant by Sen. Jim Whelan, who died in August. Observer
Atlantic City Man Who Broke Up Fight Becomes a Stockton Student–The Atlantic City man who gained national attention for breaking up a fight in a video that went viral is going back to school. BreakingAC