Six County Regional Meeting
The Six County Regional Group meets once a quarter to share data and upcoming policy changes regarding the opioid epidemic. For information on the date and time of upcoming meetings please contact Tammy Brunelle at Coastal Horizons Prevention Services by emailing [email protected] or calling 910-202-0840.
Data/Reports
Below are a few talking points based on statistics from Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), these are all NC statistics.
- 8 out 10 heroin users start with prescription drugs.
- 2 out of 3 opioid overdoses are prescription drug related.
- 67% of individuals who misuse prescription drugs get them from either their home or the home of someone they know.
- 1 out of 6 teens report taking prescription drugs without a prescription.
Autopsies Performed by the NC Medical Examiner System – published 5/8/17
Fentanyl and Heroin-Related Deaths in North Carolina(2010-2016) – published 4/26/17
2016-Fentanyl and Heroin-Related Deaths in North Carolina – published 4/26/17
Funding to fight the Opioid Epidemic: North Carolina will receive $31 million in federal funds over two years to fight the opioid epidemic. This is a Cures Act grant, and funding will be used to increase access to prevention, treatment, and recovery supports, reducing unmet treatment need, and reducing opioid-related overdoses and deaths. Get more information here.
Controlled Substances Reporting System Improvements: Senate and House budgets both have 1.2 million in recurring funds for CSRS System improvements.
Efforts of NC Harm Reduction Coalition (HRC) to fight overdose epidemic HB 243 = SB 175 $100,000 of funding for overdose reversal kits- – $75K to HRC and $25K to law enforcement agencies. As of 6/1/17 the bill was at the Senate.