How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
North Carolina -- March 21, 2022: The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services stated
today that an average of nine North Carolinians died from a drug overdose per day in 2020, up 40% from
the previous year.
"A single life lost to an overdose is a life we should have saved. Stress, loss of housing and loss of employment for those in recovery caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a backslide in our fight against substance use disorders," said NCDHHS Secretary Kody H. Kinsley. "Improving behavioral health and resilience is a top priority for NCDHHS, and we will rally our community partners and our team to meet these new challenges as we focus on saving lives, prevention and the lasting supports needed for long-term recovery, including increasing the number of people with health insurance."
This sharp increase in 2020 corresponds to nationwide increases, with the country topping 100,000 deaths. The number of drug overdose deaths in North Carolina jumped by over 1,000 from 2,352 in 2019 to 3,304 in 2020, due to illicit substances and/or pharmaceuticals. In 2020, there were over 15,000 emergency room visits connected to drug overdoses. According to preliminary monitoring data, these increases are expected to continue through 2021. Both overdose deaths and increases affect historically underprivileged populations disproportionately.
NCDHHS is striving to reverse this tendency against the difficult backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is continuing to implement the North Carolina Opioid and Substance Use Action Plan, which aims to prevent addiction, reduce harm from substance use, and link people to substance use services, housing, and employment support while keeping equality in mind.
Directly From the NCDHHS :
Specific actions include:
To prevent overdoses, NCDHHS regularly provides free naloxone to syringe services programs, local government agencies, treatment providers and other community-based organizations.
This year, 15 mobile health clinics funded by NCDHHS will begin working in hard-to-reach areas to assess clients and provide treatment, primary care and recovery support services.
Community-based organizations receive funding and other support to extend the reach of overdose prevention, harm reduction and substance use treatment services. Certain programs are tailored for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
NCDHHS funds a variety of trainings for professionals working locally in the field on initiatives like syringe services and harm reduction programs, justice-involved linkages to care, post-overdose response teams and prescribing medications for opioid use disorder.
Progress is monitored on a data dashboard that tracks state, regional and county-level metrics and local actions.
The Hope4NC helpline (1-855-587-3463), continues to assist those who need confidential emotional support, counseling referrals or connection to community resources.
In addition to overall increases in fatal and non-fatal overdoses, the burden of overdose has disproportionately worsened in some historically marginalized communities. The overall number of overdose deaths is still highest among non-Hispanic white people; however, when measured as a portion of population, American Indian/Indigenous people have the highest rate and the highest increase in deaths (see table). Careful monitoring of these trends along with strategic partnerships with organizations and individuals from these historically marginalized populations are key in reducing these disparities.
Wnctimes by Marjorie Farrington
