CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Overdose deaths in Mecklenburg County have surged 200% among Black and Hispanic residents since 2019, reports show.

Over the same period, the county reported a 14% increase among white residents.

Mecklenburg County Public Health Director Dr. Raynard Washington said many of the deaths are because fentanyl is being mixed with street drugs.

He said overdoses might be increasing in some groups because they may not be fully informed about the risk factors in their community. 

“The risk is in every community,” Washington said.“The risk is in every community,” Washington said. “There has been [I think] some inappropriate stigmas associated with opioids and folks [thinking] it’s not impacting our community or neighborhoods. But it is impacting every group in our community, every neighborhood, every racial group, every age group.”

Overdoses are affecting families across the state.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services says from 2000 to 2022, over 36,000 people in the state died from drug overdoses.

Washington said the data highlights the importance of people taking preventative measures that could save lives, inlcuding having access to naloxone, or Narcan, and recognizing signs of an opioid overdose.

“Raise awareness,” Washington said simply.

Charles Odell is CEO and president of the Dilworth Center in Charlotte. His team provides substance use disorder treatment for those seeking recovery.

“I’ve been at Dilworth Center for 30 years,” Odell said. “I really enjoy watching people get well. Treatment works.”“I’ve been at Dilworth Center for 30 years,” Odell said. “I really enjoy watching people get well. Treatment works.”

The center serves hundreds of people every year.

“That’s not including their support and family systems,” Odell said. 

Odell said the county’s data shows how critical this issue is for the Charlotte area.

“It’s a tragedy,” Odell said. “I don’t know the specific reasons as to why the percentages are higher [for those two] populations. You have to assume [they’re] more likely exposed to fentanyl tablets, illicit drugs on the street. It also begs the question [about] accessibility to health care. Do they have the accessibility to health care that other populations have, [such as] insurance and treatment for substance use disorders?”

Odell is urging anyone trying to overcome addiction to reach out for help.

“We’re fortunate in the Charlotte area to have numerous options available for substance use disorder treatment and Dilworth Center is one of those options. I would encourage people to simply reach out and call. Let us help you,” Odell said.

Mecklenburg County Public Health said residents can get free naloxone and information on how to use it upon request.