Opioid Crisis
Due to decades of prescribing more opioids at higher doses, North Carolina is experiencing an opioid epidemic.
From 1999 to 2016 more than 12,000 North Carolinians died from opioid-related overdoses. 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 N.C. 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 opioid overdose deaths by 20 percent by 2021.
North Carolina's Opioid Action Plan
North Carolina’s Opioid Action Plan was developed with community partners to combat the opioid crisis. It is a living document that will be updated as we make progress on the epidemic and are faced with new issues and solutions. Strategies in the plan include:
- Coordinating the state’s infrastructure to tackle the opioid crisis.
- Reducing the oversupply of prescription opioids.
- Reducing the diversion of prescription drugs and the flow of illicit drugs.
- Increasing community awareness and prevention.
- Making naloxone widely available.
- Expanding treatment and recovery systems of care.
- Measuring the effectiveness of these strategies based on results.
Governor Cooper Announces Bold Action Plan to Turn the Tide of the Opioid Epidemic in North Carolina
Updated Metrics for North Carolina’s Opioid Action Plan, January 2018
North Carolina's Opioid Action Plan, June 2017, Version 1
Fact Sheet: Highlights from North Carolina's Opioid Action Plan Fact Sheet
North Carolina Prescription Drug Abuse Advisory Committee
Opioid Misuse and Overdose Prevention Summit Wrap-up Video
Overview: The Opioid Crisis
Fentanyl Information for First Responders
Fact Sheet: Opioid-related Overdoses
County by County Figures: The Opioid Crisis in North Carolina
Opioid and Heroin Poisoning Deaths, Emergency Department Visits and Hospitalizations by County
Cures Act Grant
Governor Cooper Announces Next Wave of Funding and New Tools to Combat Opioid Crisis
Governor Cooper Announces $31 Million Grant to Fight Opioid Epidemic in NC
For Providers
DHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen Seeks Help from Clinicians to Solve Opioid Crisis in NC
U.S. Surgeon General’s Turn the Tide Pledge
CDC’s Guidelines of Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain
CDC Injury Prevention and Control: Opioid Overdose Guidelines
NC Controlled Substances Reporting System (CSRS)
NC Clinical Tools and Training/CME
Preferred Drug List Opioid Analgesics and Combination Therapy Daily MME
Prior Approval Criteria for Opioid Analgesics
DMA Opioid Safety - STOP Act Crosswalk (August 2017)
FAQ on Naloxone Standing Order (August 2017)
Provider Considerations for Tapering of Opioids
General Provider Pharmacy Cover Letter
July 2017 Pharmacy Newsletter (article regarding opioids)
August 2017 Medicaid Bulletin (article regarding opioids)
Safe Syringe and Naloxone
Cooper Announces State Distribution of 40,000 Doses of Life-Saving Naloxone to Fight Opioid Epidemic
NC Harm Reduction Coalition: Naloxone; law enforcement; syringe exchange
Naloxone Saves – Pharmacies and health departments in NC with naloxone
Get Help
Directory of Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment Providers in NC
Carolinas Poison Center, 1-800-222-1222
Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255)