CONFRONTING THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC
Learn How North Carolina Communities Are Addressing The Opioid Epidemic
Learn How North Carolina Communities Are Addressing The Opioid Epidemic
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Every day, nearly 4 North Carolinians die from a medication or drug overdose
705 million opioid pills were prescribed in North Carolina in 2016
The economic impact of these deaths is $1.8 billion per year in medical expenses and lost work
The number of overdose deaths has increased by nearly 400% in 16 years
Decreasing the number of people who get addicted in the first place is the goal of prevention. This must address both people who might misuse prescription drugs as well as the doctors and dentists who might overprescribe them.
There are hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians struggling with addiction who need help reclaiming their lives. Expanding access to treatment is critical. So is ensuring access to recovery services for those who have successfully stopped using them.
People who profit off other people’s misery and death must be punished. Law enforcement needs the tools and resources to reduce the diversion of prescription opioids and stem the flow of illicit drugs into North Carolina. We also need to support law enforcement’s innovative strategies to tackle this crisis because we will not arrest our way out of it.