In 2016, 11 Harnett County residents died from overdoses of opioids or heroin. The number soared in 2017 to 20 deaths.
That’s when Harnett County Sheriff Wayne Coats said he decided to be proactive against the opioid crisis on his doorstep.
Read more: Harnett County Sheriff’s Office program aims to stop opioid abuse, deaths
Eight years ago, scientists with the National Institute on Drug Abuse launched National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week with the intention of educating the public and busting myths.
With the recent opioid crisis sweeping the nation, and more specifically, Davidson County, local medical professionals are hoping to give concerned residents more information about what’s driving substance abuse.
By James Neal/Statesville Records & Landmark
Posted: Aug 30, 2017
Partners Behavioral recently announced the opening of its all-in-one mental health facility at 518 Signal Hill Drive Extension.
The facility, set to open fully in the fall, provides patients with mental health issues, substance abuse and intellectual developmental disabilities the ability to receive the same-day help for physical and mental conditions.
Read more: Impact Health of Iredell Facility Promises to Treat Body and Mind
Posted: August 18, 2017
Jule Hubbard/Journal Patriot
Daymark Recovery Services started providing mental health counseling for elementary students and therapeutic day treatment services for elementary and middle school students in Wilkes County last year and will expand these services in 2017-18.
Results of the in-school efforts were shared during the Aug. 7 Wilkes County Board of Education meeting as part of an annual report of the Wilkes School Health Advisory Committee. The report credited April Marr, the school system’s student services director, with leading efforts for partnering with Daymark.
Salisbury Post/Shavonne Walker
Posted: August 4, 2017
SALISBURY — In the 1990s and early 2000s, the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office didn’t see a lot of heroin on the streets, and it wasn’t readily available.
The prescription drug abuse that is widespread today wasn’t an issue then, said Sheriff Kevin Auten, who was a narcotics detective back then.
Read more: Opioid abuse, addiction a growing problem in Rowan County