The Cumberland County community is one of several communities hit hard by opioid-related injury and death. Data from the Injury & Violence Prevention Branch indicated that in 2020 there were 631 emergency department visits for unintentional opioid poisoning in the county and 8,398 residents lost to unintentional drug and opioid poisonings.

In 2020, 13.8% of residents received dispensed opioid pills in Cumberland County.

Although the rate of residents receiving dispensed opioid prescriptions in Cumberland County has decreased from 13.8% in 2020 to 9% today, the opioid crisis remains a critical public health concern. High numbers of emergency department visits and preventable deaths continue to affect families and the community. Sustained efforts in prevention, safe prescribing, expanded treatment, and coordinated community action are essential to further reduce opioid misuse, overdoses, and related harm.

For more local data, visit https://injuryfreenc.ncdhhs.gov/DataSurveillance/Poisoning.htm. To see county level data, scroll to “County Overdose Slide Set”. To see county level emergency room data, scroll to “NC DETECT Opioid Overdose ED Visits Reports”.