Drug overdoses in the United States have reached a critical level, with opioids such as fentanyl and heroin being major contributors to this crisis.
The statistics in Fayetteville and Cumberland County are concerning and should motivate the community to take action. An essential component of the rescue plan? Naloxone, commonly referred to as Narcan, is a medication that is carried by public safety personnel and other individuals. It has the ability to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It is truly a life-saving tool.
After the COVID-19 pandemic, Cumberland County experienced a significant increase in overdose deaths. The overdose death rate in the county in 2021 was higher than the state average, according to data from a search engine by North Carolina Opioid Settlements.
It was indicative of a larger, ongoing pattern. From 2015 to 2019, the number of deaths related to opioids in the county saw a significant increase, as reported by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
Expert’s Comment
According to Greg Berry, the project coordinator for the Cumberland-Fayetteville Opioid Response Team, the current status of overdoses in Cumberland County varies depending on the specific metric being considered. Berry works with a collaborative group of 160 stakeholders, comprised of organizations and individuals, to address the opioid crisis in the area.
Berry serves as the county’s lead program coordinator for the North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition, a grassroots advocacy organization actively involved in combating the opioid crisis. As part of his role, he assists individuals struggling with substance abuse by guiding them towards diversion programs instead of incarceration.
“We have definitely made progress in addressing overdoses in our county over the past two or three years,” he commented. In recent months, there has been a noticeable decrease in the number of individuals seeking emergency medical attention for drug overdoses.
Since October of last year, we have observed a decline in our numbers, which has continued to decrease. That’s fantastic news! It’s a clear indication that our efforts to distribute naloxone are paying off and that the naloxone we’re providing to the community is effectively preventing emergency room visits.
According to a report in July, there has been a slight increase in the number of overdose-related deaths compared to last year. The toll has risen from 33 to 35, as per the figures from the NC Injury and Prevention website, operated by the DHHS.
“The danger remains a significant concern,” he emphasized, highlighting the unfortunate loss of two lives on the recent International Overdose Awareness Day last Saturday.
Epi-Pen for New Generation
An administration of naloxone functions in a manner akin to an EpiPen auto-injector used for severe allergic reactions. It is a straightforward process to administer and comes in a compact form. Additionally, there are versions available in the form of nasal sprays.
In May, a brave high-school student in Raleigh sprang into action when she noticed a man experiencing an overdose by the side of the road. Without hesitation, she retrieved Narcan from her car and provided immediate assistance.
In 2018, a police officer in Fayetteville was fortunate enough to have his life saved by naloxone when he experienced the effects of fentanyl exposure.
Personnel from the Fayetteville Fire Department and Fayetteville Police Department are equipped with Narcan, as stated in a recent news release.
The release states that there were a total of 499 overdoses reported by the FFD from August 2023 to August 2024. Additionally, Narcan was administered in 263 instances. FPD administered Narcan 38 times during that period.
The city’s public safety departments frequently collaborate with Cape Fear Valley Health System to educate residents and reduce the number of overdose-related incidents in the community, according to the release.
City and county officials appear to be in agreement regarding the accessibility of Narcan for all individuals.
Conclusion
Narcan can be obtained at the county Department of Public Health and is also conveniently accessible through vending machines at the county jail. In August 2023, the North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition generously donated $9,000 worth of Naloxone to the Fayetteville Police Department, strengthening their partnership and commitment to the community.
