Age-Adjusted North Carolina Drug Overdose Death Rate per 100,000 Population
Current Value
39.8
Definition
Drug overdose death rate per 100,000 population, age-adjusted, between 2014-2021
Story Behind the Indicator
Since 2015, North Carolina has seen a more than 200% increase in (unspecified) overdose death rates, with five people dying from opioid overdoses every day (NC DOJ, 2024). Action is necessary to avert these preventable deaths and achieve the 2030 target rate of 18.0 deaths per 100,000 population.
What's Helping? These are the positive forces at work in our community and beyond that influence this issue in our community.
- Medication-Assisted Treatment
- Reducing drug availability
- Education and skills training
- Housing support for chronically homeless individuals or those impacted by mental illness
What's Hurting? These are the negative forces at work in our community and beyond that influence this issue in our community.
- Lack of funding for treatment programs
- Lack of education and programs in schools
- Opioid over-prescription
- Stigma surrounding use and recovery
- Easy access to vape products