IVP Branch: Overdose Data

Deaths, hospitalizations, and emergency department (ED) visits due to medication or drug overdose, have become a growing public health concern nationally and in North Carolina.

Historically, prescription opioids have been a major driver of this epidemic. However, illicit drugs are now contributing to this problem in increasing numbers. The majority of overdose deaths now involve illicit opioids like heroin or fentanyl, a synthetic narcotic. The number of overdose deaths involving stimulants is also on the rise.

This webpage includes statewide summary data, a link to the state’s Opioid and Substance Use Action Plan Data Dashboard, monthly data updates, and county-level data. Visit the DHHS Overdose Epidemic website  for more information on preventing overdose deaths in North Carolina. For information on how to make a custom data request, please review the Injury and Violence Prevention Branch data request policies and procedures .

NC Summary Data

NC Opioid and Substance Use Action Plan Data Dashboard - Updated Quarterly

County Overdose Slide Sets

Click below to download your counties overdose slide set.

Overdose Surveillance Reports - Updated Monthly

Opioid Overdose ED Visits

Overdose ED Visits Involving Medication or Drug with Potential for Dependency

OCME Suspected Overdose Deaths Report

OCME Fentanyl-Positive Deaths

EMS Encounters for Suspected Opioid Overdose Reports We were unable to update the statewide report this month.

County-Level Overdose Data Tables

See the dashboard below for data on various types of poisoning at the county level. Please see the North Carolina Overdose Surveillance Definitions (PDF, 267 KB) table for a detailed description of case definitions for each type of poisoning. All tables contain the most recent 10 years of data. If additional years of data are needed, please send a request .

  • To navigate the dashboard, use the filter boxes at the bottom of the tables.
  • The Source box allows you to switch between deaths, hospitalizations, Emergency Department, and population data.
  • The View by County box will show all drug categories statewide, or by county selected.
  • The View by Drug will show one drug category for all counties. When viewing the tables by drug, make your desired choices in the Intent and Drug boxes. This will display all 100 counties and state data.
  • Use the Page navigator box in the bottom right to flip through all pages of data.
  • If you wish to view data for only one county, change the View by County or Drug box to county, make your selections in the Intent and County boxes, and make sure the Page navigator box is set to page 1.
  • Tables can be downloaded using the download icon below right of the data table.

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  • If additional years of data are needed, please review the Injury and Violence Prevention Branch data request policies and procedures for steps regarding how to make a custom data request.

 

 

Last Modified: 03-19-2024