All individuals and families in North Carolina with substance use disorder receive person-centered care incorporating evidence-based behavioral and pharmacological approaches.

Drug overdose is the leading cause of death due to injury in the United States. Drug use affects relationships, employment, physical and mental health, and contributes to the spread of diseases. HNC 2030, p. 66

Substance use disorders (SUDs) are chronic or recurrent conditions that, like other chronic illnesses, require ongoing care and treatment for individuals to regain health and maintain recovery. As with any chronic disease, prevention, identification, treatment, and recovery services and supports are essential to ensuring positive health outcomes. Effective treatments for SUDs and underlying mental and physical health problems exist; however, access to services and supports for SUDs varies greatly across the state. HNC 2030 pp. 66-67

• Access and use the Opioid Action Plan
• Address the needs of justice-involved populations
• Adopt and support payment of evidenced-based interventions that prevent opioid prescribing
• Avert future opioid addiction by supporting youth and families
• Encourage/support mobile crisis units
• Expand Medicaid eligibility
• Expand peer support specialist programs
• Implement broader use of NC Controlled Substance Reporting System by health care providers and pharmacies
• Implement Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) programs in correctional settings
• Implement needle exchange programs
• Improve access to drug treatment programs, including medication-assisted treatment
• Increase distribution of naloxone
• Increase the use of agonist therapies (methadone and buprenorphine)
• Increase training for health care providers on buprenorphine prescribing
• Increase training for health care providers on safe prescribing practices
• Meet basic needs of individuals like housing and employment
• Promote alternative treatments for pain that are nonpharmaceutical based (e.g., acupuncture)
• Reduce the supply of prescription and illicit opioids
• Support policies that decriminalize and promote treatment of substance use disorder
• Support training for health department staff about naloxone: they are a main access point for people who are uninsured

NC State Center for Health Statistics, Vital Statistics

• Food insecurity
• Housing instability
• Lack of transportation
• Interpersonal violence