North Carolina Will Improve Opioid Treatment Access

(August 1, 2018)

An opioid law in North Carolina will improve treatment access and strengthen local opioid programs, reports The Wilson Times. The Opioid Epidemic Response Act, which Gov. Roy Cooper signed into law on July 22, plans to improve medically-assisted treatment options for the state. It includes three main initiatives: widening office-setting buprenorphine access, improving detection of illicit fentanyl in opioids, and funding better clean-syringe exchange programs. If the law achieves these ground-level improvements, its supporters hope it will ease the opioid crisis in North Carolina.

However, the bill also funds local opioid nonprofits like Community Impact, N.C. Because Community Impact fosters opioid coalitions, the new bill is encouraging. “The law allows community coalitions the opportunity to create new collaborations and strategies around opioids, especially with law enforcement, local health departments, hospitals, and primary care physicians,” said Erin Day, Director of the Division of Coalition Support at Community Impact. Her nonprofit along with others will have to wait and see how successful the Opioid Epidemic Response Act will be in the state.

To find an opioid treatment center or doctor in North Carolina, look here or here.