Opioid usage skyrocketing in Mecklenburg County

MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. — New numbers show opioid usage is skyrocketing in Mecklenburg County.

There have been 528 overdoses this year, according to the county Health Department.

Last year, there were 361 overdoses.

The medical examiner said opioid deaths also are rising

Mecklenburg County led the state in such deaths last year with 112, up from 61 in 2015.

County leaders are receiving a $368,000 grant to create a response plan to the opioid epidemic.

The money will be used to create an opioid track within the jail and drug court and will provide training to people who work with opioid users.

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