For the past few years, news headlines have been dominated with dire numbers revolving around the fentanyl epidemic and overdose deaths, but recent data shows that there are also positive trends in states like North Carolina. North Carolina saw 26.3% drop in fatal drug overdoses in 2024 and a specific drop of 52.9% in fentanyl drug deaths.
While these numbers show that North Carolinians and Americans at large can have hope, we can’t lose sight of how difficult the battle against addiction is. Even with awareness of fentanyl and other drugs, as well as the usage of Narcan (naloxone) for opioid overdose spreading, people are still slipping through the cracks.
While we should look at the data as a sign that current methods of spreading awareness and battling addiction to fentanyl and other drugs are working, we should continue to innovate in our approaches and stay vigilant, looking out for signs of addiction throughout North Carolina.
Article TL;DR: North Carolina is seeing hopeful improvement when it comes to metrics on fatal drug overdoses. This shows that initiatives adopted by NC addiction treatment centers and health officials may be working.
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What Is Contributing To North Carolina’s Improved Stats on Overdose And Drug Deaths? Treatment centers like Southeastern Recovery Center and state-funded initiatives are helping improve North Carolina’s stats on overdose and drug deaths.
How Are The Other States Doing Compared To North Carolina? North Carolina is among the top ten states when it comes to improved numbers on overdose and drug deaths.
Why Drugs Like Fentanyl Are So Deadly. Drugs like fentanyl are so deadly because they are addictive, come in different forms, and may be mixed with other drugs.
Signs Of Fentanyl Usage In Friends And Coworkers. Signs of fentanyl usage in friends and coworkers include isolation, mood swings, and drowsiness.
What To Do If Someone Is Overdosing On Fentanyl In Your Presence. Calling 911 and using Narcan can help save an individual experiencing a fentanyl overdose.
FAQs about North Carolina’s 26% “Hope” Metric. Learn answers to frequently asked questions about North Carolina’s hope, represented in its improved stats on drug addiction deaths.
What Is Contributing To North Carolina’s Improved Stats on Overdose And Drug Deaths?
There are a myriad different contributing factors that are helping make North Carolina more effective in curbing overdose steps relating to drugs like fentanyl, opioids, and other addictive substances. Part of this includes state-funded initiatives and programs, such as the North Carolina Treatment Connection campaign run by the Addiction Professionals of North Carolina (APNC).
The goal of this program was to help educate North Carolinians about evidence-based substance use disorder (SUD) services. The campaign led to numerous benefits including:
- 69% increase in individuals’ ability to identify reputable SUD services
- 6.6 million social media impressions
- 925,000 North Carolinians reached
In addition to this state-funded campaign, there are also the efforts of drug addiction treatment facilities around North Carolina to consider.
For example, we at Southeastern Recovery Center serve not only Charlotte but individuals from across NC at our Mecklenburg location. We help spread awareness for the many different ways addiction can manifest and how North Carolinians can look out for each other. Additionally, we provide services such as facilitation into detox facilities, inpatient or outpatient care personalized to patient needs, and virtual IOP to provide long-distance addiction treatment across the state.
Though the efforts of these different groups all contribute to North Carolina’s improved ability to curb overdose deaths, it’s important to note how concerted these efforts are. It takes active awareness and action to help curb addiction. That said, anyone’s capable of doing it, whether you’re operating a drug addiction facility or simply noticing signs of addiction in a friend, family member, or peer.
How Are The Other States Doing Compared To North Carolina?
North Carolina has some of the most improvement in twelve month-ending counter drug overdose deaths by jurisdiction from October 2024 of October 2025. On the CDC’s website, states like New York, Connecticut, Vermont, and Wyoming managed to beat ours, but that’s just more cause for celebration across the United States. Every state making improvements in drug awareness was able to foster a more responsible and welcoming environment for individuals suffering from substance use disorders.
One thing that could be cause for alarm is the rate of improvement (or lack thereof) in drug overdose deaths found in North Carolina’s neighbors. When it comes to data on the drug overdose deaths in October 2025, Tennessee reported a 21.37% decrease, Virginia reported a 21.65% decrease, and South Carolina reported a 15.09% decrease. While Tennessee and Virginia were above the percent change for the overall United States (19.7% decrease), South Carolina was lagging behind.
| Category | North Carolina Result | Time Period | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fatal drug overdose deaths | 26.3% decrease | 2024 | Shows meaningful statewide improvement in overdose outcomes |
| Fentanyl drug deaths | 52.9% decrease | 2025 | Suggests major progress against one of the deadliest drivers of overdose deaths |
| APNC Treatment Connection campaign: ability to identify reputable SUD services | 69% increase | Campaign reporting period | Indicates improved public understanding of where to find evidence-based help |
| APNC Treatment Connection campaign: social media impressions | 6.6 million | Campaign reporting period | Reflects broad awareness reach across North Carolina |
| APNC Treatment Connection campaign: North Carolinians reached | 925,000 | Campaign reporting period | Shows large-scale exposure to addiction treatment education |
| United States overall overdose death change | 19.7% decrease | October 2024 to October 2025 | Provides national context for North Carolina’s improvement |
| Tennessee overdose death change | 21.37% decrease | October 2024 to October 2025 | Nearby state also improved, but less than North Carolina |
| Virginia overdose death change | 21.65% decrease | October 2024 to October 2025 | Nearby state improved, though not as much as North Carolina |
| South Carolina overdose death change | 15.09% decrease | October 2024 to October 2025 | Neighboring state lagged behind North Carolina and the U.S. average |
| North Carolina Good Samaritan law | Limited immunity for reporting an overdose | Law enacted 2013; discussed in 2025 update | Can encourage faster emergency calls during overdose situations |
Why Drugs Like Fentanyl Are So Deadly
While states are being proven to have decreases in overall overdose deaths from drugs like fentanyl, opioids, and other addictive substances, we have to remember the threats these drugs present in our communities. Drugs like fentanyl are deadly for many reasons, including:
- Drugs are addictive, which makes it hard for individuals to stop using them, even when they come more aware of the potential downsides.
- Illicit substances can be mixed with other drugs. For example, fentanyl is commonly mixed with other drugs such as heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine.
- Substances come in many different forms. For example, fentanyl can come as a pill, powder, or nasal spray, which can cause individuals to be misled about the substance they’re taking.
- These drugs have potent effects that entice individuals to use them. For example, fentanyl is normally prescribed to help manage pain but may be abused by individuals trying to self medicate for bodily pains or mental health disorders. This improper usage can lead them to require higher and higher quantities of the drug in order to experience whatever effect they’re chasing.
At Southeastern Recovery Center, part of our process of creating personalized plans to treat addiction involves figuring out the underlying causes that led an individual to use these drugs. From there, we’re able to help them find healthier coping mechanisms to avoid reliance on drugs like fentanyl. In this way, our treatment facility helps bring North Carolina’s fentanyl overdose rate that much lower.
Signs Of Fentanyl Usage In Friends And Coworkers
Overcoming an individual’s addictions to substances like fentanyl, opioids, or other drugs tends to require the aid of medical professionals. That said, treatment facilities like Southeastern Recovery Center can help concerned individuals intervene on behalf of someone who seems to be struggling with fentanyl addiction. If you or a loved one want to look out for signs of fentanyl usage, the physical and behavioral markers include:
- Isolation
- Mood swings
- Neglecting work
- Drowsiness
- Confusion
- Depression
if you recognize these warning signs of fentanyl usage, it’s important for both you and the individual in question to know that recovery is possible. Treatment facilities like Southeastern Recovery Center can create a personalized plan for recovery that can meet any individual’s needs.
What To Do If Someone Is Overdosing On Fentanyl In Your Presence
Signs of fentanyl overdose include:
- Reduce consciousness: slowed breathing
- Lack of response to stimulation
- Constricted pupils
- Respiratory depression
If someone is overdosing on fentanyl in your presence, the use of naloxone (aka Narcan) can help save their life. Narcan is a nasal spray known to reverse overdoses on opioids like fentanyl by blocking the effects of opiates on the brain and restoring breathing.
Additionally, 911 should be called immediately. North Carolina has good Samaritan laws in place, which provide limited immunity from prosecution for a person calling to report a drug overdose and the person overdosing. Measures like this, first enacted in 2013, help North Carolina curb fentanyl overdose deaths.
FAQs about North Carolina’s 26% “Hope” Metric
Did North Carolina’s fatal drug overdoses rate decrease?
Yes, North Carolina’s fatal drug overdose rate decreased 26.3% in 2024.
Did North Carolina’s fatal fentanyl drug death rate decrease?
Yes, North Carolina’s fatal fentanyl drug death rate decreased 52.9% in 2025.
What helps reduce the fentanyl drug death rate?
Things that help reduce the fentanyl drug death rate include spreading awareness in communities, recognizing signs of fentanyl uses in friends and coworkers, and knowing that you can use naloxone (aka Narcan) in the case of a fentanyl overdose.
Can Narcan only be used during a fentanyl overdose?
No, Narcan can be used for any sort of opioid overdose, not just fentanyl.
Sources:
Effron, S. (2025). Border Belt Sees Drop in Fatal Drug Overdoses. In Border Belt Independent. https://borderbelt.org/border-belt-nc-sees-drop-in-fatal-drug-overdoses/
Mann, B. (2025). Deadliest phase of fentanyl crisis eases, as all states see recovery. In NPR. https://www.npr.org/2025/03/07/nx-s1-5295618/fentanyl-overdose-drugs
Products – Vital Statistics Rapid Release – Provisional Drug Overdose Data. (2026). In www.cdc.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/drug-overdose-data.htm
“An Update on North Carolina’s Good Samaritan Harm Reduction Law.” North Carolina Criminal Law Blog, 9 Dec. 2025, https://nccriminallaw.sog.unc.edu/2025/12/09/an-update-on-north-carolinas-good-samaritan-harm-reduction-law/.
“Facts about Fentanyl.” DEA, DEA, 12 Mar. 2026, https://www.dea.gov/resources/facts-about-fentanyl.
“Opioid Misuse.” Morehouse School of Medicine, https://www.msm.edu/Current_Students/student-health/OverdosePreventon.php
