RALEIGH, N.C. — Improving treatment programs is the No. 1 priority for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, as overdose deaths increased in 2021
What You Need To Know
4,041 people in N.C lost their lives in 2021 due to illegally manufactured fentanyl and other substances
NCDHHS is increasing its treatment and prevention programs to get people the care they need
The department continues to track the N.C. Opioid and Substance Use Action Plan progress on the data dashboard
The rise in overdose deaths has been from illegally manufactured fentanyl.
In 2021, 4,041 people in N.C. lost their lives likely from the drug and other substances, according to the 2021 NCDHHS statistics. Overdose deaths have increased 72% since 2019, with a 40% jump in 2020 during the first year of the pandemic, according to a news release.
NCDHHS is increasing mobile crisis care, treatment programs and other efforts to improve behavioral health services across the state. The department distributed more than 719,000 units of naloxone to agencies across the state to assist in overdose response efforts.
Additionally, NCDHHS wants to gain access to medication assisted treatment by changing regulations so mobile medication units can provide methadone and other FDA-approved medications to treat opioid use disorders in N.C.
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which offers never-ending access to trained crisis counselors who help people experiencing behavioral health-related distress, was launched in July.
Since the launch, the N.C. Suicide and Crisis Lifeline call center has seen an 85% increase in callers identifying "substance use" as their primary reason for calling.
"North Carolina’s communities and families are meeting the tragedy of overdose deaths and the opioid crisis head on, every day,” said NCDHHS Secretary Kody Kinsley. "With the right treatment and support, recovery is possible, and individuals can go on to live full and productive lives.
NCDHHS continues to implement the North Carolina Opioid and Substance Use Action Plan to prevent addiction, reduce harm, connect people to care and increase access to supportive services.
To see the N.C. Opioid and Substance Use Action Plan progress that tracks local and state actions, regional and county-level metrics, view the data dashboard.