Lakewood, NJ – Teenager Killed by Drug Overdose

    197

    Lakewood, NJ – Hatzolah responded about 11:00am Shabbas morning to East End Avenue, for reports of a teenage boy who was unconscious and didn’t wake up, from a drug overdose.

    Join our WhatsApp group

    Subscribe to our Daily Roundup Email


    After Hatzolah trying to work on the child to resuscitate him, the 19-year-old boy was r”l pronounced dead, as the result of overdosing on the pain reliever drug Percocet.

    Percocet is one of the common prescription drugs being abused. And experts say that the growing use and abuse of pain pills and other drugs increasingly hurt hundreds of families across the Tri-State area.

    While a lot of pain pill addiction begins with genuine injuries, other people find themselves in trouble after taking pills for fun, and Percocet is now reported to be the most common first illicit drug tried by young people.

    The levaya was late last night in Lakewood, NJ.


    Listen to the VINnews podcast on:

    iTunes | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Podbean | Amazon

    Follow VINnews for Breaking News Updates


    Connect with VINnews

    Join our WhatsApp group


    197 Comments
    Most Voted
    Newest Oldest
    Inline Feedbacks
    View all comments
    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Hashem help us all this is getting out of hand already.

    frustrated
    frustrated
    15 years ago

    Another one r”l.
    When will our Rabbanim, en masse (not just isolated individuals) begin to publicly acknowledge the pain and turmoil so many frum children are in? It isn’t just from sexual abuse (although that too); it is so many kids disconnected and disenfranchised from being a frum Jew, being part of a frum community. How are we making them feel like they belong, like we each have something unique and valuable to contribute to society? If this isn’t a crucial part of being manhigim, what is?!?
    This isn’t bash Rabbanim time – it’s a cry of pain – so many families and Yeshivos don’t approach things differently simply because they passively/actively follow the “lead” of the leaders. Its time for change on all levels.
    Too many frum people are living with the externals of a frum lifestyle and not transmitting the heart and soul of Judaism and God because they are spiritually stagnant themselves.
    What do you think will happen when children have such easy access to alternatives when the path you want them to live isn’t very attractive?
    LET’S MAKE BEING FRUM ATTRACTIVE!
    Beside shmiras halashon and middos campaigns, where’s the Hashkafa discussions? How about (gasp) Chassidus?
    I am afraid for our children’s futures.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    So sad!! The situation needs to be taken out from under the carpet!!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    BDH, not one comment, how sad, that right Yidden do like we always do when there is a problem we do not want to acknowledge. Stick our heads in the sand, it will go away. NO, it will not just as the abuse problem will not go away neither will this, unless we take action and bring the problem into the open. Wake UP do something before it is to late. Recognize the symptoms, speak to your children, ask questions and demand answers,

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    He will be missed.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Its so sad , the family will suffer for years, oh the pain

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    BDH He was a great guy and a good friend and he’ll be missed.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    is Lakewood still in denial or will the iyun pilpul jews wake up and realize that they arent perfect?

    they are not in denial!!
    they are not in denial!!
    15 years ago

    bh in lakewood we have many people who are open and addres this problem. They are having an evening dedicated to this boy – arranged by ‘the kollel’ and ‘the minyan’ of lakewood for teenagers to discuss the alcohol and drug problem in our community. Hopefuly this will make these troubled teens aware of the terrible effects these things have on them. Im sure they all learnt a big lesson from this.
    I knew Shua personally he was a great guy and loved by all…
    May his neshama fbe at peace and may he daven for all of us!

    Hamokom yenacheim eschem besoch shaar avelie zion birushalayim…

    rodneybenking
    rodneybenking
    15 years ago

    This is so sad. A yiddishe neshama that didn’t have to be lost. What a horrible tragedy. My heart goes out to the family. Maybe its about time our hiellege raboonim stop worrying about Lipa, and start addressing the real problems that we face. But we all know this will never happen. It’s easier and safer to bash Lipa.

    know it all!
    know it all!
    15 years ago

    I knew him very well such a nice kid always there to help a friend! we should only hear good news! btw this couldve happend to any kid who is on the street the drug situation is so out of hand – and so accecsable that its a miracle that this is the only kid in lkwd that it happend to!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    i am not sure why this needs to be on this website. its a tragedy and people in lakewood are aware of this tragedy. it is was intentional it for sure does not belong here. If it was not intentional (and YES this can happen) then why post this. does the family and friends need to see this. why does vinnews need to post this?(they might just censor this entire post as they do many times)

    rabbonim and roshei yeshivas in lakewood are very aware of the problem. there are 2 large Bais Medrash and/or after work “yeshivos” Programs in Lakewood that work closely with teenage at risk bochrim. this is on top of the many elementary programs that are not publicized and kept discreet to ensure its success. there are numerous HS yeshivos that recently opened to accept good average bochrim who are NOT the “mitzuyonim” but are clearly able to learn in yeshiva. In the past there was not a middle level yehshiva. so the bochrim or burnt out from the intense learning before bais medrash or gave up hope early on. TODAY there are chosheve established yeshivas that are geared to every level of learning and all producing bnei torah.

    YES IT is a tragedy when even one is not saved. Our hearts cry out.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    BDH what a tragerty
    it is time to get together and help all these children (start by acepting all the kids in the schools so they dont feel let down)

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    whats the adress for shiva?

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    and what do the roshei hayeshivas have to say…the mashgichim…..NOTHING…get drunk if you have to bring in the money….PURIM

    Proactive
    Proactive
    15 years ago

    The highschools should have proffesionals address the drug and alcohol problem in school!!!! Just like they have internet asifos there should be awareness about this evergrowing issue!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    So sad. May the family have only simchas in the future.

    I’ve been involved in helping teenagers with addiction problems, get help, for the last 10 years. You have no idea how big the problem is. It’s at the stage where keeping it quite will no longer help the problem.

    Keep in mind, that one of the main places in Brooklyn that has been helping “Teens-at-risk” for many years, and has successfully sent many many teens to rehab, is on the verge of closing, due to lack of funding. Please help them out.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Can someone reply with his name?

    Brooklyn Mom
    Brooklyn Mom
    15 years ago

    All of you, stop judging. You don’t want Chassidus? Well, is your way working? Conversely, does Chassidus always work?

    We need to come together & offer support to kids in MO, Chassidic, Litvish, Yeshivish, frum, Frei communities. OUR CHILDREN ARE DYING. That’s the issue, not whether one derech is better than the others.

    That is what denial is about. Not the Rabbonim. Not the parents. It’s the responsibility of EVERYONE.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    address 825 east end avenue

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    So sad. May the family have only simchas in the future.

    I’ve been involved in helping teenagers with addiction problems, get help, for the last 10 years. You have no idea how big the problem is. It’s at the stage where keeping it quite will no longer help the problem.

    Keep in mind, that one of the main places in Brooklyn that has been helping “Teens-at-risk” for many years, and has successfully sent many many teens to rehab, is on the verge of closing, due to lack of funding. Please help them out. You can find them at http://www.ourplaceny.org.

    Enough Already
    Enough Already
    15 years ago

    Dont blame anyone – blame yourself – if YOU would be a better role model the kid wouldnt have done it.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Isn’t this medication a normal legal medication? What wrong did this boy do?

    Help Prevent this in the Future
    Help Prevent this in the Future
    15 years ago

    This is very sad and if there is any good that can come out of this tragedy it is to help prevent it in the future.

    Then Minyan Shelanu works with youth at risk in Lakewood and I know that they have and currentley do help send many kids to rehab and the like. This is extremely expensive and they struggle financially with this. More so in a community that does not believe these problems exist or look at it like its not “their” problem.

    They can use your support and I am sure this can be the biggest aliyah for the neshomah.

    You can check out their website at MinyanShelanu.com and YOU can make a difference there as well.

    Chaim A
    Chaim A
    15 years ago

    I am 21 Year old Addict and yes there is help out there, But you people will never understand how hard it is to break this addiction. I have been to 4 rehabs. I go to support groups here in Lakewood and I still keep relapsing. Forget about helping us, just be our friend. Dont only gossip about us, I have made dumb choices in my life but all my friends have left me, The only one who stuck with me is my family. Many of my friends dont even have family left by their side. And all those who say lakewood does not have this problem… Wake up and smell the coffee. Its not only the kids hanging out at J2 Motzei Shabbos, Its guys from BMG bochurim and married guys alike, addiction has no pity!! Believe me I speak the truth, from facts that i see and all the frum people I meet in the recovery rooms!!!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    When will the Oilam an lakewood promote AA- NA- SA- ? There are so many yeshiva guys who need this help. How much more suffering do we need?!! Please!!!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Its amazing how many people will just jump up and down and celebrate at every tragedy that befalls the Heimishe community, its sickening! They will without fail chastise the Rabbanim and Rebbes.
    While it is true that we, and by that I mean, each every person who calls himself “bnei avraham yitzchok v’yakov”, must invest all efforts in healing and treating and foremost in perventative measures so that we don’t come to these unfortunate situations.

    But, all these “righteous” individuals who never fail to rip apart every Rabbinic authority, I have one question to you; how much time, effort, money have you invested in these neshomos nebech? Have you taken upon yourself to make a shiur with a child-at-risk? Have you donated to the many organizations that do wonders in rehabilitating the youngsters? Have you even gone so far as to greet any of these kids on the corner with a smiling “good morning”? Or is all you can afford to get on a website and write up nasty comments on our Rabbanim, Askanim as so on?

    I am closely familiar with a certain community who have established at least ten organizations, that run the gamut from finding chavrusas in yeshiva to weaker bochurim, to paying psychological help to afflicted youth who have suffered mental and other abuses, to establishing organizations that provide counseling to young couples. If anyone would bother to open the eyes and see the good that is being done by the Rabbanim that you all are so eager to rip apart. Most moisdos have increased their budget greatly, but I guess its much more convenient to criticize. How unfortunate! Please utilize whatever is at your disposal to build instead of tearing down.

    sane
    sane
    15 years ago

    More emphasis must be placed on self identity, self esteem and chanoch lanaar cfi darcho. Many bochurim are not cut out to learn 12 hours a day – and know it – but lose self esteem when they simply can’t do it and are discouraged from doing anything else. There should be realisitc counseling in Yeshivos and particulalry Beis Medrash, so boys can find their way in life.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    To #33 . Yes Percocet is a legal medication (although it’s a Controlled Substance). That doesn’t mean that it’s not abused. It’s from a class of Drugs known as opiates. The class includes, Vicodin, Percocet, Oxycontin, and the like (Heroin is from the same class). In the Brooklyn teen community I would have to say that after Marijuana and Alcohol – Oxycontin and Percocet has the highest abuse rate. It’s a very potent drug. Having too much of it will cause respiratory depression and death. If Hatzolah (or 911) get there in time, they can give Narcan which will reverse the effects. But if they aren’t called until it’s too late, then you see what can happen.

    The problem in our communities is a lot bigger than people think.

    Lakewood Mom
    Lakewood Mom
    15 years ago

    I totally agree with Brooklyn Mom!! We are all Jews…let’s stop judging others and being elitests. We need to have achdus and unite and all take responsibility for each other. Love your children unconditionally, not everyone fits into the box u want them to!

    an observer
    an observer
    15 years ago

    chassidus wont solve everything, but it could help bring heart and meaning and purpose to rituals that have turned dry and repetitive.

    the attitude of many in the frum community is emty and phoney. No rhyme or reason. just do it. keep any problems quiet or else there will be a problem with shidduchim.

    Many frum kids look so sad and miserable. They wont communicate with their parents whom they see as hypocrites who lie and steal and are abusive of one another.

    if their parents are not sincere, these kids feel it…drugs and booze are their way of sell-medicating themselves out of the misery of their hopeless lives.

    Percocet is Heroin
    Percocet is Heroin
    15 years ago

    I have seen news programs about this pain medication Percocet. It is prescribed by Physicians after major surgery to control severe pain. Unfortunately, for some people it can be very addictive. One family in the news a few years ago lost a son who was prescribed this after an accident of some sort — a broken bone or similar incident. He became so addicted he could not stop taking it and took his life because he could not function normally anymore. He was a College student at the time I believe. My wife had major surgery and was prescribed Oxycontin for pain, which is even stronger than Percocet. Her Physician gave me a strict routine after two months to decrease the dosage by 10% every five days until she was not taking it anymore because so many people can become addicted to that too. Percocet and Oxycontin are pharmaceutical grade HEROIN. DANGER DANGER DANGER !!! They are a absolute SAKANAH !!! When my wife was down to the last 1/4 of the original dosage her pain exploded and it took a lot of will power to live with pain with nothing other than a regular over the counter Aleve pill.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    I am #17 and the reason I did not want this public was for the other posts who are just trying to find out who it is? his address? for what? to help him? you are late.

    if its to menachm aval with out knowing who it is -that is noble.

    did anyone think about the family and friends. what do they feel about this posting? maybe this was a real OD by mistake. We dont know.

    YOU WANT TO HELP. get out there and volunteer in the elementery grades, become a mentor or pay for mentoring. many parents cannot afford the professional mentors who are expensive and great. invite these teenagers into your home, say a good shabbos with a smile to them. DAVEN AND LEARN IN THE “KOLLEL” or “MINYAN”. Make them feel part of the community. Be their friends.
    show them that you know they are also “normal”. the drugs and alcohol is escape from reality IN PART because we look at them as “on the fringe” and they know it.THEY ARE CRYING TO BE LOVED.

    DEGU
    DEGU
    15 years ago

    #38 Chaim A. Some of us understand. Most don’t. You are 100% right that the problem is in Yeshivos, and married families too. I don’t know you, but I will daven that you should have the strength needed to pull thru. You can do it! Don’t ever give up!

    Icicle
    Icicle
    15 years ago

    Love your fellow Jew, no more, no less, it’s a No -Brainer, Dump the Frum rationalizations that so separate our generation (Gap)Maybe, Lakewood should once and for all rid itself of the “Holier than thou attitude” which when passed on to the next generation can and does lead to senseless Hatred

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    It’s very COLD here in Fakewood

    E
    E
    15 years ago

    Many have already said the following but it is worth repeating.

    For those who are posting and saying “Why aren’t the Rabbanim doing anything about it?” or “How could we keep brushing these things under the carpet?” I say this: YOU are the problem. Look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself what have YOU done today to help one of these kids? Have you made a phone call to a teen-at-risk ‘just to say hi’ recently? Have you given a donation to an organization like The Minyan, The Kollel, Our Place, The Corner, Camp Extreme, Areivim etc.?

    There are hundreds of people in every city who work tirelessly on behalf of these kids. The issue is not being brushed under the carpet? The Gedolim are NOT overlooking the problem. I personally have spoken with R’ Mattisyahu sometimes very late at night about problems that arose. He is very involved and works very hard behind the scenes to help anyone who is involved with these kids.

    We all know the problems. Don’t be so obnoxious to post here what you feel is “THE SOLUTION” to the problem until you have many years experience under your belt dealing with this like we do.

    You want some advice on what you can do? You can go ask a Rov how you can help. Donate $$ to one of the places I’ve listed above. Or how about more practically…when you see a kid without a Yarmulka waiting for a ride in front of Shoprite or J2, don’t look away. Give him a ride no matter where he’s going. Ask him his name. Ask him what he does with his time. Offer your number in case he ever needs anything. Give him 5 bucks when he leaves the car if you know he has no money. That’s how you can help. Say hello to the kid working behind the counter in whatever store it may be. You have no idea how much Chizuk it will give him. Call him by his first name. Tell him it’s nice to see him. But absolutely positively DON’T look away. You would be killing him slowly by looking away.

    After all the Tehillim is said for Shua, and after all the tears are cried, I beg of anyone reading this to take upon yourself to do one Chessed a day or a week – whatever you can handle – for a kid at risk. Even a smile counts.

    May all of us who work with these kids one day be zoche to be out of a job. May all of Klal Yisroel be Zoche to share only in Simchos.

    Shua, you were a great guy. You came from so much and worked on yourself to better yourself every day. We all had faith in you that you would one day succeed. Please Daven to Hashem that the friends you were close to down here who are going through similar difficult situatuions should be able to get the help that they need to get away from the terrible things they are involved with. I spoke to many of your friends last night and they want to make changes in their lives. Please beg Hashem to help them in their mission.

    You will be sorely missed. Boruch Dayan Ha’Emes.

    E
    E
    15 years ago

    Many have already said the following but it is worth repeating.

    For those who are posting and saying “Why aren’t the Rabbanim doing anything about it?” or “How could we keep brushing these things under the carpet?” I say this: YOU are the problem. Look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself what have YOU done today to help one of these kids? Have you made a phone call to a teen-at-risk ‘just to say hi’ recently? Have you given a donation to an organization like The Minyan, The Kollel, Our Place, The Corner, Camp Extreme, Areivim etc.?

    There are hundreds of people in every city who work tirelessly on behalf of these kids. The issue is not being brushed under the carpet? The Gedolim are NOT overlooking the problem. I personally have spoken with R’ Mattisyahu sometimes very late at night about problems that arose. He is very involved and works very hard behind the scenes to help anyone who is involved with these kids.

    We all know the problems. Don’t be so obnoxious to post here what you feel is “THE SOLUTION” to the problem until you have many years experience under your belt dealing with this like we do.

    You want some advice on what you can do? You can go ask a Rov how you can help. Donate $$ to one of the places I’ve listed above. Or how about more practically…when you see a kid without a Yarmulka waiting for a ride in front of Shoprite or J2, don’t look away. Give him a ride no matter where he’s going. Ask him his name. Ask him what he does with his time. Offer your number in case he ever needs anything. Give him 5 bucks when he leaves the car if you know he has no money. That’s how you can help. Say hello to the kid working behind the counter in whatever store it may be. You have no idea how much Chizuk it will give him. Call him by his first name. Tell him it’s nice to see him. But absolutely positively DON’T look away. You would be killing him slowly by looking away.

    After all the Tehillim is said for Shua, and after all the tears are cried, I beg of anyone reading this to take upon yourself to do one Chessed a day or a week – whatever you can handle – for a kid at risk. Even a smile counts.

    May all of us who work with these kids one day be zoche to be out of a job. May all of Klal Yisroel be Zoche to share only in Simchos.

    Shua, you were a great guy. You came from so much and worked on yourself to better yourself every day. We all had faith in you that you would one day succeed. Please Daven to Hashem that the friends you were close to down here who are going through similar difficult situatuions should be able to get the help that they need to get away from the terrible things they are involved with. I spoke to many of your friends last night and they want to make changes in their lives. Please beg Hashem to help them in their mission.

    You will be sorely missed. Boruch Dayan Ha’Emes.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    To poster#41- if u want to know why kids overdose etc, its because of people like yourself-maybe- who shun kid who go to “hangouts/pizza stores on a sat night”. Let’s be real for a second- do you really think we are still living in a shtetil somewhere in europe with no running electricity???wake up!!! Maybe if you stop degrading kids who look for healthy outlets outside the beis medrash EX getting pizza with some friends…than maybe these issues will stop. The issue of abuse also comes from the same issue of isolation of the sexes and the deprived of living in a normal society

    ADDICT
    ADDICT
    15 years ago

    PEOPLE JUST JUDGE IVE BEEN ADDICTED TO OXYCONTIN FOR OVER 2 YEARS IT IS COMPLETE HELL GETTING OFF IT PLEASE DONT JUDGE ANYONE AND ESPECIALLY MY GOOD FRIEND WHO WAS JUST NIFTAR. THIS KILLS ME SO MUCH MORE WHEN YOU PEOPLE TALK LIKE THIS

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Lakewood puts a Damper on Many Kosher outlets for our youth to burn up some calories. Not much for them to do in their spare time

    In Tears
    In Tears
    15 years ago

    The family should know of no more sorrow. ברוך דין האמת

    emes
    emes
    15 years ago

    And now let’s all go to schi’s dinner and celebrate their fancy local taxpayer funded state of the art building , while Chavrei Hakolel and other mosdos that are saving yiddesha neshamos and really making a difference in klal yisroel suffer financially.That’s what happenes when we give tzedaka based on media not importance

    wtf
    wtf
    15 years ago

    R Heinemann who was the boys RoshYeshiva went to be menochun avel today at the boys home and the father told him it WAS NOT AN OVERDOSE this boy was clean for over 6 months he just didn’t wake up.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    אל תשמחי אויבתי לי כי נפלתי קמתי, אלולא שנפלתי לא קמתי, כי אשב בחשך ה’ אור לי אלולא שישבתי בחשך לא היה אור

    Srul Menachem
    Srul Menachem
    15 years ago

    It nebech I once sew the nifter davaning mincha in bais medrash g’voha and was praying so erlich with so much kavunah. May his neshomoh have an aliah
    Imocho hashem dimoh maial kol punim umain.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    just curious ,but did this boy that passed away have a cast on his leg?

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Parents, if you love your children and have the slightest doubt that they may be using drugs (and I believe that a good parent can see when there may be an issue) then have them tested for drugs randomly. If they ask you “why don’t you trust me??”, then tell them that you love them sooo much that your not willing to rely on your judgement of what and who to trust, and that you have to do everything in your power to be sure that there is no problem.
    They will see how strongly you love them and will slowly reach a point that you will no longer have to worry.
    I only wish my parents would have done the same.

    moglass
    moglass
    15 years ago

    I wish ppl would realize that it WAS a unfortunate accident and was not your typical overdose-it coudve happend to you. He WAS clean. And let his neshoma rest in piece. Don’t disrespect a niftar. Its such a ugly thing to do. Ya know, he’s not your own kid-but he’s sombodys kid,brother,friend and to spread rachilus ( cuz its all false rumors) on the poor niftar just shows the low level that some of klal yisroel have sunk to-ALL FOR THE DAMN HOCK damn it! Ppl should just say boruch dayan emes and be respectfull. Why do some ppl just not get it? It was a mistake but ppl rather say it waz a reg.overdose cuz it fuels more hock…sick sick sick!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Percocet is a very strong drug. I was given percocet in the hospital to help alleviate after birth pains in the hospital within the next half hour I was on oxygen and hooked up to machines because I had trouble breathing.

    Drugs should be monitored even when taking it as prescribed. Of course don’t play around with drugs that weren’t prescribed to you.

    Hashem should grant the family a nechamah.