What Is North Carolina Doing To Combat The Opioid Crisis?

North Carolina has implemented a comprehensive approach to combat the opioid crisis, including the “Opioid and Substance Use Action Plan 3.0,” legislation like the STOP Act to control prescriptions, and harm reduction efforts such as syringe service programs. Most North Carolina residents are aware of the devastating impact the opioid crisis has had on their communities. 

The state has also focused on increasing naloxone access, distributing over 719,000 units, and providing first responder support alongside legal protections like the Good Samaritan law. These efforts, combined with increased Medicaid beneficiary access to opioid overdose treatment by 48%, aim to address the crisis, although challenges persist, particularly in rural areas and amid the dramatic 72% increase in overall overdose deaths since 2019.

While much work remains, North Carolina has taken significant steps in recent years to address this deadly problem. 

What Are Some Steps Taken By North Carolina to Combat The Opioid Crisis?

Steps taken by North Carolina to combat the opioid crisis include Opioid and Substance Use Action Plan 3.0, legislation and prescription controls, harm reduction efforts, naloxone access and first responder support and legal protections, and community advocacy. These programs, initiatives, and protective measures have substantially reduced the spread of blood-borne illnesses and overdose deaths. 

Here are the steps to combat the opioid crisis in detail:

Opioid and Substance Use Action Plan 3.0

North Carolina has implemented the ‘Opioid and Substance Use Action Plan 3.0,’ which has taken several significant steps to combat the opioid crisis, particularly in rural areas. The state supports 40 registered Syringe Services Programs (SSPs) across 57 counties and one federally recognized tribe, effectively reducing the spread of blood-borne illnesses. The state trained 300 partners to establish or sustain syringe service programs and 4,000 providers on safe prescribing methods. Federal funding and Medicaid beneficiaries increased opioid overdose treatment by 48%. Key initiatives include a medical residency training project that provided waiver training to nearly 1,200 prescribers and funding for local organizations to implement community-based linkage-to-care strategies. These efforts, along with public education campaigns like MMAT in correctional facilities and improvements to the Controlled Substances Reporting System (CSRS), resulted in a 36% decrease in individuals receiving dispensed opioids, indicating a decline in opioid abuse.

Legislation and Prescription Controls

Legislation and prescription controls, such as the STOP Act, are essential in addressing the opioid crisis by limiting the supply of addictive pain medications.

Effective January 1, 2018, the STOP Act aims to reduce opioid overprescribing by limiting addictive pain medication supplies. Although similar laws in other states have lowered prescription rates, a direct link to decreased overdose deaths or addiction remains unproven. Additionally, North Carolina’s Controlled Substances Reporting System (CSRS) assists doctors in tracking prescriptions and identifying at-risk patients, making these measures crucial in a state with high per capita opioid prescriptions.

According to Curtis, C.’s 2021 study, ‘Reduction of Opioid Prescriptions in Maxillofacial Trauma Following North Carolina STOP Act’, the North Carolina STOP Act led to a statistically significant 30.9% reduction in opioid prescriptions following facial fracture repair, demonstrating the effectiveness of state-level legislation in combating opioid overprescription while still meeting patients’ pain management needs.

Harm Reduction Efforts

Although North Carolina is not a leader in harm reduction, several organizations statewide are working to expand these programs. Currently, state funding for harm reduction is limited, but due to its proven effectiveness in lowering overdose deaths and preventing diseases like HIV and Hepatitis C, increased funding is expected. The state supports syringe exchange programs (SEPs) that provide clean needles to intravenous drug users and safely dispose of hazardous waste. Many SEPs also distribute naloxone and connect users with treatment resources. Interested individuals can contact the NC Harm Reduction Coalition at 336-543-8050.

Naloxone Access and First Responder Support

North Carolina has a standing order allowing healthcare practitioners and pharmacists to prescribe and dispense naloxone without a patient-specific prescription. This enables pharmacists to provide naloxone to anyone at risk of overdose or those who might assist them. Walgreens pharmacies across the state now carry Narcan, making it widely accessible. According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), in the 2023 report, combating the rise in overdose deaths, over 719,000 naloxone units have been distributed, and regulations are being changed to allow mobile units to provide naltrexone and other medications for opioid use disorder treatment in North Carolina.

Legal Protections and Community Advocacy

The 2013 Good Samaritan law grants immunity from possession charges for individuals seeking help during an overdose and protects those administering naloxone. Expanding this law to include broader immunity for all involved at overdose scenes could further reduce fatalities. Across the state, hundreds of advocates and community groups raise awareness and promote recovery. Mecklenburg County, for example, has a dedicated task force implementing expert solutions. Recovery rallies and new support groups continue to emerge, fostering community engagement and education.

How Has the COVID-19 Pandemic Impacted the Opioid Epidemic in North Carolina?

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the opioid epidemic in North Carolina. You observe that the disruptions in daily life led to increased social isolation and economic struggles, factors that contributed to higher rates of opioid misuse. 

According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, overall overdose deaths increased dramatically by 72% since 2019, with a 40% jump in 2020 during the first year of the pandemic. The pandemic also affected treatment and support services; public health restrictions disrupted many addiction treatment programs and harm reduction initiatives. 

Consequently, individuals with substance use disorders experienced reduced access to essential services such as counseling, medication-assisted treatment, and naloxone distribution. Additionally, the crisis spurred a rise in the circulation of potent substances like illegally manufactured fentanyl, further complicating efforts to stabilize the epidemic.

How Are Rural Communities in North Carolina Affected by the Opioid Crisis?

Affected by the opioid crisis, the rural communities in North Carolina face unique challenges due to limited treatment resources and significant barriers to accessing care.

According to Gale, Hansen, & Williamson 2017 report, ‘Rural Opioid Prevention and Treatment Strategies’, the opioid crisis in rural North Carolina worsens due to a lack of treatment resources, forcing residents to travel long distances for services. Most opiate treatment programs (OTPs) are in urban areas and do not accept Medicaid or private insurance for methadone and buprenorphine, requiring patients to pay out of pocket. 

Although 463 physicians have SAMHSA waivers to prescribe buprenorphine, data on their service volume suggests potential underutilization. While the state’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) has grown, only 27% of practicing physicians use it. Project Lazarus has helped rural communities combat substance misuse, but significant challenges persist, including a complicated contracting process with Local Management Entities (LMEs)/Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) for treating indigent patients.

Where Can North Carolina Improve?

North Carolina can improve its response to the opioid epidemic by expanding access to evidence-based treatment, particularly by increasing the number of Medicaid-accepting inpatient and outpatient providers. The state faces a shortage of treatment facilities offering FDA-approved medication-assisted treatments like buprenorphine and methadone, which are critical for reducing overdose deaths. Improving the geographic distribution of treatment services in urban centers like Charlotte and underserved rural areas addresses care disparities. 

Enhancing support for incarcerated individuals with opioid use disorder and ensuring continuity of care after release is vital. Increasing funding and regulatory oversight encourage more licensed, evidence-based treatment programs, strengthening the treatment infrastructure. Addressing these gaps allows North Carolina to meet the growing demand for addiction services and reduce the opioid crisis’s devastating impact.

What Is The Best Opioid Addiction Treatment Center In North Carolina?

The best opioid addiction treatment center in North Carolina is Carolina Center for Recovery. We provide compassionate, individualized care in a serene setting. Located in Charlotte, our comprehensive, evidence-based treatment plans support long-term recovery for both individuals and their families. 

As a state-licensed and CARF-accredited facility in Charlotte, we offer individualized, extended-term treatment for opioid addiction in an intimate setting. Our dual-diagnosis approach addresses both substance abuse and underlying mental health issues through a comprehensive program that includes medically-supported detox, evidence-based therapies, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT). 

Our experienced team of doctors, clinicians, therapists, and recovery coaches provides personalized care using both traditional and alternative therapies to identify and resolve the root causes of addiction. We accept most major insurance providers and offer same-day admissions, allowing you or your loved one to begin the journey to recovery immediately. At Carolina Center for Recovery, we’re committed to helping you build a life worth living through sustainable, long-term recovery from opioid addiction.