Overdose Epidemic
Combating North Carolina's Opioid Crisis
Due to decades of prescribing more opioids at higher doses, North Carolina is experiencing an opioid epidemic.
From 2000-2022, more than 36,000 North Carolinians lost their lives to drug overdose. This epidemic is devastating families and communities. It is overwhelming medical providers and is straining prevention and treatment efforts.
To tackle this health crisis, the NC Department of Health and Human Services is working to connect people with preventative healthcare, substance use disorder treatment and community supports. This is a complex issue requiring partnership from many sectors and is an effort that needs to be supported through funding and resources to be successful. Learn more below about how North Carolina and its partners are working to reduce drug overdose deaths.
To learn more about how NC is overpowering the overdose epidemic, please visit the More Powerful website.
If you or a loved one need help for addiction, resources are available. Call 911 in the case of a medical emergency.