Overdose Epidemic

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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.

Information for Dental Patients

Safe ways to manage pain after dental treatments.

What Are Opioids?

Definitions and examples of opioids.

Opioid and Substance Use Action Plan 3.0

NC's strategies to turn the tide.

Syringe and Naloxone Access

Learn about syringe exchange and the use of naloxone.

Treatment

How to get help.

First Responders

Information on fentanyl safety.

Providers

How providers can help.

News

The latest on NC's efforts to combat the opioid crisis.

Data

Statistics on the overdose crisis.

How to Get Connected and Involved

Resources for partner involvement.

Cures Act Grant

How the $31 million grant is being used in NC.

Essential Action Toolkit

Essential Actions to Address the Opioid Epidemic

NC Opioid and Prescription Drug Abuse Advisory Committee

A community for people working to address the opioid epidemic.

Opioid and Substance Use Action Plan Data Dashboard

Provides integration and visualization of state, regional and county level metrics.

NC Opioid Settlement Resources

Resources related to the NC Opioid Settlement.