International Overdose Awareness Day | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Raleigh, N.C. — Today is International Overdose Awareness Day, a time to call attention to a major cause of accidental death in the United States. Each day, at least two people in North Carolina die from unintentional opiate overdose with more than 800 opiate overdose-related deaths reported in 2014.

    "Substance use is a big problem among our young people and one that, all too often, has deadly consequences," said Governor Pat McCrory. "We all have a role to play in protecting the next generation of leaders and in getting help to those already struggling with these issues. I call on each one of us to get involved and do our parts."

    Substance use and awareness of drug-related issues have been priorities for Governor McCrory since taking office in 2013. He signed Senate Bill 20, the Good Samaritan/Naloxone Access law, in 2013. The law allows community-based organizations to dispense Naloxone (Narcan) under the guidance of a medical provider. Medical practitioners who prescribe and bystanders who administer Narcan are protected from civil liability.

    "Drug overdose is preventable," said Megan Davies, Acting State Health Director, N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. "Overdose Awareness Day demonstrates our commitment to focusing on this problem and acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends who have lost a loved one to overdose."

    In May 2014, McCrory issued an Executive Order establishing the Governor's Substance Abuse and Underage Drinking Prevention and Treatment Task Force, resulting in the statewide Talk It Out initiative, and recently announced formation of the North Carolina Mental Health and Substance Use Task Force. This task force brings together the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches of government and key stakeholders to make recommendations that will improve the lives of citizens with mental illness and substance use disorders. DHHS Secretary Rick Brajer will co-chair the task force, along with Chief Justice Mark Martin.

    If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911.

    For help overcoming addiction, call the Alcohol Drug Council of North Carolina at 800-688-4232.

• Contact: Crystal Feldman
•     govpress@nc.gov