Crisis Next Door - The Fentanyl Epidemic
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Published 2023-03-15
North Carolina is in the grip of a drug overdose epidemic, with fentanyl being the primary culprit. The new WRAL Documentary, Crisis Next Door, focuses on fentanyl’s impact.
More than 4,000 people in North Carolina died from drug overdoses in 2021, the most substance abuse related deaths ever recorded in the state. According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), 77% of those deaths involved fentanyl.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid. When manufactured by pharmaceutical companies and approved by the FDA, it can be safely used to treat patients in severe pain. The synthetic fentanyl leading to many overdose deaths is made in unregulated labs, pushed by drug cartels, and put in various drugs as a cheap way to produce extremely strong substances.
“It's in every substance out there. It's in marijuana, it's in methamphetamine, it's in cocaine,” said Dr. Carrie Brown with the NCDHHS.
Fentanyl is 50 times more potent than heroin. This means a very small amount, as little as 2 milligrams, could be a potentially lethal dose.
“We are in the deadliest moment of the deadliest drug epidemic in American history,” said North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein.
Confusion surrounding what fentanyl is and how it is killing people has led to a lack of empathy surrounding this crisis.
“You'd be hard pressed to find a family in the United States that hasn't, at some level, been impacted when you're talking about the numbers that we're talking about,” said Dr. Brown.
The latest WRAL Doc, The Crisis Next Door, shows how fentanyl has destroyed the lives of thousands of North Carolinians, what the state is doing to fight this epidemic and what more is needed to save lives.
Documentary Investigative Reporter: Cristin Severance
Documentary Videographer/Editor: Jay Jennings
Additional Videography and Graphics: Justin Arner
Graphics: Shan Zhong
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All Comments (21)
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Fentanyl addiction actually destroyed my life for over 4 years. Also suffered severe depression and mental disorder. Not until my wife recommended me to psilocybin mushrooms treatment. Psilocybin treatment saved my life honestly. 2 years totally clean. Never thought I would be saying this about mushrooms.
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Real drug education needs to be mandatory in all schools, like reading and writing. Drugs are not going away, that war is long lost.
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Opiate addiction took more than 8 years from me. I been clean for 4 years from Opiates and 2 years from alcohol. I will spend the rest of my life trying to make up that time with my 2 sons. Who are now adults. My heart goes out to those still at war with it and to those we've lost to it as well as the families affected by it.
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I’m a recovering heroin addict and have ten years clean. I am so grateful to have gotten clean when I did because I have no doubt that I would have lost my life if I kept using. If you are struggling with addiction, I promise you that recovery is worth it. You’re worth it. Everything you want is on the other side of fear if you give up drugs.
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I’ve recently came home from rehab for opioid addiction. I just want people to know that in most cases, addiction comes from unhealed childhood trauma. You can go to rehab 100 times…but until you address and heal from your trauma, you’ll probably be right back to substance abuse. I can’t stress enough how important therapy is. Of course it sucks that this drug exists. We can arrest all the dealers and people will still find a way to get pills. What we really need to focus on is why people struggle with addiction in the first place. A lot of focus should be placed on mental health, this is the reason for addiction. We need to address reasons for addiction.
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My son recently passed from this also. People are quick to judge that this addiction crises only happens to lower socioeconomic families and not the all American family. People need to wake up. This stuff is the devil and it’s not going away. 😢
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It wasnt Nathan's fault and it was at the same time. The mother was absolutely fantastic to see it the way she did. Real humanity right there. Well done.
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When I was working at a retail store there was a 17 year old kid working there via work program. During a part he went to for Halloween he snorted cocaine which was primarily fentanyl and he died. I have never been able to get that out of my mind. I can't imagine if any of your kids or family members have been victim to this or drugs, my heart goes out to you
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The parents of Amanda are the first parents I have ever heard that actually mention their daughter had a responsibility in this as well. I am so sorry for their loss. I also admire them for their clarity and honesty. Sending prayers.
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It’s hard to lose one child but losing 2 omg. Man I’m praying for that family
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My deepest apologizes for any family that has endured this feeling weather in this video or not. I will make DUA for all grief. Truly heartbreaking
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I was taking an illegal substance and didn't realise it contained another illegal substance...
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i was addicted to cocaine for 6 years & meth for 2. im now 4 years clean & this was unbelievably heart touching
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kevin’s mother is the epitome of strength and compassion wow. i was so moved by her display of humanity
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Addiction doesn't discriminate. And there's nothing better then seeing an addict in Recovery!! Im sorry to all those who lost a loved one 🙏
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My son, who is now 42, had very close calls with drugs and alcohol. He was also drinking and driving. He finally came to his sense on my birthday about 5 years ago. Thank God Fentanyl wasn't around then!!
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Im currently in a treatment program for fentanyl abuse and I feel grateful for having survived this awful ongoing opioid pandemic. More power to those trying to change and Rest in peace to those who didn't make it 🙏.
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Wow, losing two sons. My heart aches for them.
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To the father at around four minutes, it is not your fault in any way. It sounds as if you did a wonderful job raising your daughter. I hope she is at peace in her place of rest.
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I don’t do these kinds of hard drugs, but as someone who was called “brilliant” all through high school and did well in college, and who is now struggling to find purpose in life , I understand how people fall into these things.
