NC attorney general addresses need for resources to fight opioid crisis

IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. — The opioid crisis is doing more than taking lives. The North Carolina attorney general met on Thursday with local leaders who say it is taxing police, courts and families across the state.

In May, North Carolina released the latest study on opioid deaths. It shows that in 1999 there were around 100 opioid-related deaths and by 2015 that number had jumped to more than 1,000 deaths.

North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein hosted two roundtable discussions Thursday with health care professionals, police officers, judges, educators and other community members in both Mecklenburg and Iredell counties.

Every day, many people see the trauma the opioid crisis wreaks on families, sometimes even their own.

"My own child became addicted to heroin. There are no words for the pain," said Patti West, executive director of Fifth Street Ministries.

The groups discussed ways in which the epidemic is driving up crime. Some police departments are creating special positions to combat opioid abuse.

"We need you all to take the lead on this because we are so taxed on trying to keep down violent crime," said Mooresville Police Chief Damon Williams.

Williams told the crowd the department wants to partner with their groups and support their efforts, but law enforcement agencies can't carry the bulk of the burden.

The attorney general said the state focused on prevention, treatment and enforcement, and everyone needs to work together.

"This is a real problem that is hurting people all across North Carolina," Stein said.

Stein is pushing for more youth education. He also said the state lacks the critical resources needed to address treatment and only has the capacity to help 1 in 10 abusers. He said too many addicts end up in prison.

"We are either paying for $33,000 a year per person or we can make other smarter investments on the front end," Stein said.

The roundtable discussions were a critical step in uniting the stakeholders with the power and the passion to make a difference.

"This group today gave me hope, gave me inspiration," West said.

Law enforcement officials told Stein they are saving many lives with Narcan, the drug that reverses overdoses.

The majority of officers in Mooresville and Statesville carry Narcan, and Charlotte leaders are discussing whether Charlotte-Mecklenburg patrol officers will carry the drug.

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