McCrory an Early Signer of Compact to Fight Opioid Addiction | Eastern North Carolina Now

    RALEIGH, N.C.     Governor Pat McCrory was one of the first of 46 governors to sign the Compact to Fight Opioid Addiction outlining steps to address the nationwide opioid epidemic. The historic compact marks the first time in more than 10 years that governors have joined together through the National Governors Association (NGA) to spur coordinated action on an urgent national issue and includes several recommendations already implemented by Governor McCrory including increasing access to naloxone.

    "Our efforts to combat the heroin and opioid epidemic in our state are saving lives and having a big impact on North Carolina families," said Governor McCrory. "I am proud of our leading role in addressing this important public health crisis and encouraged to see governors from across the nation joining together in this effort."

    Since entering office in early 2013, Governor McCrory has tackled mental health and substance use issues head-on, beginning with the Crisis Solutions Initiative in 2013. Ending underage drinking and substance abuse have been prioritized through the Governor's Substance Abuse and Underage Drinking Prevention and Treatment Task Force established by Governor McCrory in 2014.

    Building on this progress, the budget recently signed by the governor includes $20 million to implement recommendations by the Governor's Task Force on Mental Health and Substance Use. Earlier recommendations from the Task Force resulted in Governor McCrory signing legislation making naloxone, the life-saving opioid reversal drug, available statewide without a prescription. Naloxone has saved more than 3,300 lives in North Carolina since 2013.

    The compact signed by 46 of the nation's governors seeks to build on Governor McCrory's efforts nationwide. By signing the compact, governors agree to strengthen their efforts to fight the opioid epidemic with new steps to reduce inappropriate prescribing, change the nation's understanding of opioids and addiction and ensure a pathway to recovery for individuals living with substance use.

    The compact stems from a resolution governors passed in February at NGA's Winter Meeting, outlining the need for federal action to support states and collaboration from the private sector, particularly aimed at reducing inappropriate opioid prescribing, a key driver of this epidemic that claims the lives of roughly 78 Americans every day. Though the discussion focused on opioid prescribing guidelines, governors also agreed that broader, group action is needed to address all of the factors contributing to the crisis.

      NC Department of Health and Human Services

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