What Is State Government Doing to Combat the Opioid Epidemic?

America is in the midst of an opioid epidemic, and North Carolina is no exception. The CDC reports that “[s]ince 1999, the number of overdose deaths involving opioids . . . quadrupled. From 2000 to 2015, more than half a million people died from drug overdoses.” A new report based on health insurance data put four North Carolina cities among the 25 worst in the nation for opioid abuse. What is our state government doing about this? Each branch of North Carolina government has taken steps to address the crisis. In the judicial branch, Chief Justice Martin is participating in the Regional Judicial Opioid Initiative. You can read more about the Initiative and see the Chief Justice’s letter agreeing to participate here. In the executive branch, Governor Cooper recently convened an Opioid Misuse and Overdose Prevention Summit and announced an action plan designed to combat the epidemic. According to the Governor’s office, the plan is intended to reduce the oversupply of prescription opioids, increase community awareness, and expand treatment options, among other objectives. The plan itself is available here. Attorney General Josh Stein has also made the opioid crisis a point of emphasis, as noted on the DOJ website. The legislative branch has been active in a number of ways: Promoting the use of opioid antagonists. Naloxone, or Narcan, is an opioid antagonist – a medication that can be used to block the effects of opioids, including during an overdose. L. 2013-23 allowed medical providers to “directly or by standing order [...]