According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS) Between 2018 and 2020, overdose deaths in North Carolina increased by 38%. The NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) reports that over 41,500 North Carolinians died from drug overdose between 2000 and 2023. It is estimated that over 3,000 NC residents died from an overdose in 2024.
A 2024 report from the NCDHHS shows that, as of July 2023, 26,772 individuals ages 12-17 were suffering from alcohol use disorder (AUD). 918,000 adults of 18 years or older were struggling with AUD.
These are staggering numbers, but the state of North Carolina is committed to supporting its residents by providing access to addiction rehabilitation resources. The NCDHHS works to connect people with healthcare opportunities and preventative care. The department helps North Carolinians find treatment for addiction and support within their communities.
In June of 2017, North Carolina released the Opioid Action Plan (OAP). Updated in 2021 to become the Opioid Substance Use Action Plan (OSUAP) 3.0, the plan includes a focus on polysubstance use and works to ensure strategies that deal with the overdose epidemic. The OSUAP 3.0 focuses on prevention, harm reduction, and connecting people to healthcare.