controlled substances

Two seated brunette women lean over a table with a stethoscope and two computers in front of them.

Caring for the most stigmatized population

August 11, 2020 by Melba Newsome

Caring for the most stigmatized population - North Carolina Health News

Women who are using illegal substances often avoid getting care when they get pregnant. Project CARA is changing that.

By Melba Newsome Despite having lived in Asheville for several years, Ashley had no idea what the Mountain Area Health and Education Center did before she got pregnant in 2019. The 37-year-old who asked we not use her name had been in recovery, using medication-assisted treatment to manage her 14-year-long heroin addiction. Her first thought […]

shows a man with glasses and a farmer's cap

Hemp production, slowly gaining support, could hit road block

June 5, 2019 by Taylor Knopf

Hemp production, slowly gaining support, could hit road block - North Carolina Health News

Three years into North Carolina farmers' experiment with cultivating hemp for CBD production, law enforcement might nip the new industry in the bud.

By Taylor Knopf Martin County farmer Benny Bunting originally ventured into the hemp industry after he witnessed how much CBD oil helped his adult daughter with multiple sclerosis. He joined the North Carolina’s hemp pilot project three years ago and began extracting CBD oil for her. CBD has greatly improved her quality of life, Bunting […]

Young man loads a medical needle from a bottle with a clear substance

Switzerland fights heroin with heroin

January 28, 2019 by Taylor Knopf

Switzerland fights heroin with heroin - North Carolina Health News

This is the second in our series exploring how Switzerland has dealt with opioid addiction in different — and sometimes controversial — ways cutting overdose deaths and related infections.

By Taylor Knopf GENEVA and ZURICH, Switzerland — Sarah is a well-dressed, middle-aged English woman living in Geneva with her friendly yellow lab, Maloo. By most accounts, Sarah lives a normal life. She has a couple of adult children, goes on vacations, works part-time with horses, and says she’s lucky because her job never feels […]

People stand in a open foyer with a Christmas tree and tables of food.

Navigating the holidays while in recovery from addiction

December 24, 2018 by Taylor Knopf

Navigating the holidays while in recovery from addiction - North Carolina Health News

Everyone knows holidays can be stressful. And if you’re in recovery from addiction, that just adds to the stress. Here are some ways to make your holidays - and those of folks you love - a little smoother.

By Taylor Knopf Terri Edwards’ first Christmas home after entering an addiction recovery program was “very uncomfortable.” She had been away from her family for five years while she was using substances. “I didn’t know exactly what my place was anymore because I had removed myself from the family unit for so long,” she said. […]

two women work to put togther bottles of pills

Got Meds? Refill Necessary Prescriptions Before Florence Arrives

September 12, 2018 by Taylor Knopf

Got Meds? Refill Necessary Prescriptions Before Florence Arrives - North Carolina Health News

As Hurricane Florence approaches, we bring you medication prep advice, what to do with refrigerated medications, and telehealth options.

By Taylor Knopf and Yen Duong As North Carolinians scramble to collect water, bread and canned goods ahead of Hurricane Florence, it’s important to refill medications as well. State and medical officials are urging residents to stock up “extra” medications for “several days.” It’s difficult to say how long the rains and winds will last, […]

shows opioid pills through the bottom of a pill container

Blue Cross Tightens Rules on Opioid Prescriptions

March 30, 2018 by Mark Tosczak

Blue Cross Tightens Rules on Opioid Prescriptions - North Carolina Health News

The insurer says it still sees too many lengthy first-time opioid prescriptions.

By Mark Tosczak Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina announced changes to its opioid prescription policies, in part because the company said it still processes thousands of prescriptions each month that violate limits enacted by the state legislature last year. Blue Cross announced Thursday it would limit first-time prescriptions of short-acting opioids to […]

graph showng the number of deaths rising sharply since 2011

Elon Poll: Republicans & Democrats Don’t See Eye to Eye on Opioid Solutions

November 16, 2017 by Taylor Knopf

Elon Poll: Republicans & Democrats Don’t See Eye to Eye on Opioid Solutions - North Carolina Health News

In the poll, millennials said they were more affected by opioids than were older respondents, but overall, a third of state residents have been touched by the epidemic.

By Taylor Knopf In a recent survey of North Carolina voters, the majority indicated that they have not been personally impacted by prescription pain pill abuse. However, most believe that the problem deserves medical attention rather than involvement from the criminal justice system. Survey responders were split on whether the opioid epidemic in the state […]

close up shot of someone injecting heroin into an arm

Report: Fentanyl Overdoses Jumped in 2016

April 19, 2017 by Rose Hoban

Report: Fentanyl Overdoses Jumped in 2016 - North Carolina Health News

Fentanyl is as much as 100 times stronger than morphine. When fentanyl and related substances show up in heroin, more people end up dying.

By Rose Hoban Even as the number of heroin overdoses ticked up in 2016, the number of deaths tied to the powerful opiate fentanyl skyrocketed in North Carolina at the same time. According to a report released this month by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, overdose deaths related to fentanyl increased […]

Impending Ban on Herbal Painkiller Could Hamper Research

September 29, 2016 by Rose Hoban

Impending Ban on Herbal Painkiller Could Hamper Research - North Carolina Health News

An FDA ban on kratom is scheduled to take effect on Friday. By Rebecca Smith Side Effects Public Media As of midnight September 30, a relatively unknown herbal supplement called kratom will likely join the ranks of Schedule 1 drugs in the U.S. – alongside drugs like heroin, LSD and marijuana. This supplement has been […]

Waynesville Police Chief Bill Hollingsed takes a proactive approach to opioid addiction and overdose in his community.

Could Drug Diversion Programs Tested In Urban Areas Work for Rural, Too?

September 15, 2016 by Daily Yonder

Could Drug Diversion Programs Tested In Urban Areas Work for Rural, Too? - North Carolina Health News

After witnessing too many opioid overdose deaths, law enforcement officers decide to get pro-active. By Taylor Sisk Daily Yonder There is no commercial district in Boiling Spring Lakes, North Carolina. There is, however, a thriving market for opioids. Brad Shirley is chief of police for this town of 6,000, the third-largest municipality in sprawling, coastal […]

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