Substance Use & Addiction
The opioid epidemic is hurting people, families and communities all over the country. In North Carolina, opioid overdose deaths have doubled in the past ten years. From 2000-2020 more than 28,000 people in North Carolina died from drug overdoses. From 2020-2021, 185 people died from overdoses in Durham. The Durham Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responded to 481 opioid overdoses in 2020 and over 850 opioid overdoses in 2021. Overdose numbers increased in 2020 most likely due to the stress and isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Opioids include many types of prescription pain relievers, heroin and fentanyl. If you take any of these drugs, you are at risk for overdose, substance use disorder and/or addiction. Other types of drugs can also cause substance use disorder, including alcohol. The good news is that there are some simple ways to reduce your risk of dying from an overdose. There are also treatments for substance use disorder and addiction that work. The Durham County Department of Public Health offers programs and services to help people ready to address opioid use, substance use disorders, and addiction.
