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Opioid use and overdose have been significant public health concerns in Asheville, North Carolina, mirroring broader national trends. Asheville has seen a troubling increase in opioid-related incidents, driven by the widespread availability of prescription opioids, heroin, and synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
The city and the surrounding Buncombe County have reported rising rates of opioid overdoses, with fentanyl being a major contributor due to its potency and risk of causing fatal overdoses.
Efforts to combat this crisis include the implementation of harm reduction strategies, such as distributing naloxone to reverse overdoses, expanding access to treatment programs, and providing education on the dangers of opioid misuse. Despite these initiatives, the community continues to grapple with the challenges of addressing addiction, supporting recovery, and reducing the stigma associated with opioid use disorder.
Key Statistics on Opioid Use in Asheville:
- In 2022, Buncombe County reported 279 opioid overdose visits to emergency departments, reflecting a nearly 13% increase compared to the previous year.
- The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office reported a record-high 81 fentanyl trafficking charges in 2021.
- In 2018, more than 10 million prescription painkillers were prescribed in Buncombe County.
- The opioid overdose mortality rate in the county is over 45 per 100,000 residents, a rate which has tripled since 2015.
Opioid Overdose Statistics in Asheville
- In 2018, 265 Buncombe County residents were treated for opioid overdoses in emergency rooms.
- In 2018, 79 Buncombe County residents died from unintentional opioid overdoses.
- In 2021, 122 county residents died from an opioid overdose.
- Inmates across North Carolina are 40 times more likely to overdose on opioids after release from jail or prison.
- In 2018, out of 88 opioid-related deaths in Buncombe County, 46 individuals had been previously booked into the Buncombe County Detention Facility.
Demographic Data & Insights
Recent data reveals a concerning shift in the racial demographics of opioid-related fatalities in Buncombe County, where Asheville is located:
- In 2015, only 3% of overdose deaths were among Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC).
- By 2020, this percentage had increased dramatically to 13% of overdose deaths, representing a staggering 500% increase in fatal overdoses among Black Buncombe County residents.
- While white residents still account for the majority of overdoses, the rate at which Black residents are dying from opioid and polysubstance use is growing at an alarming pace.
National data provides context for understanding other groups most affected by opioid use in Asheville:
- Most individuals who report prescription opioid misuse initiated use in their early to late 20s.
- Prescription opioid mortality disproportionately affects adults aged 25 to 54.
- Recent trends show an increase in overdose deaths caused by heroin and synthetic opioids among people aged 15 and older.
- Urban areas like Asheville may have higher rates of opioid use due to greater availability of drugs and denser populations.
- However, rural areas often face challenges in accessing treatment and prevention services, which can exacerbate the crisis
- Neighborhood-level factors, such as poverty rates and access to healthcare, can significantly influence opioid use patterns.
Common Opioids & Changing Trends
The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office reported alarming statistics for 2021:
- A record-high 81 fentanyl trafficking charges
- The Buncombe County Anti-Crime Task Force seized record amounts of methamphetamine and opioids
While the misuse of prescription opioids like oxycodone and hydrocodone has historically been a concern, recent data indicate a shift toward illicit opioids. The availability and use of heroin, often laced with fentanyl, have also increased, contributing to the surge in overdose incidents. In Asheville and Buncombe County, fentanyl has become a dominant factor in the opioid crisis, with a significant rise in related overdose deaths.
State Funds & Resource Allocation
Asheville and Buncombe County have mobilized various resources to address the opioid crisis:
- Local government initiatives through the Buncombe County Opioid Response
- Healthcare partnerships with organizations like MAHEC and Vaya Health
- Numerous addiction treatment centers and recovery support groups
- In August 2013, North Carolina implemented a statewide naloxone distribution program to combat opioid overdose deaths (OODs)
The healthcare system in Asheville is poised to benefit from upcoming funding opportunities:
- Global Opioid Settlement: Funds from this settlement are expected to be injected into counties across the country, including Asheville, to reduce opioid-related harms.
- Local Government Initiatives: Buncombe County commissioners are discussing funding allocations to further support OUD treatment and prevention efforts. These financial resources present an opportunity for Asheville’s healthcare system to enhance its OUD treatment capabilities, potentially easing the strain on existing services and improving outcomes for individuals affected by the opioid epidemic.
Syringe access programs, also known as needle exchanges, play a crucial role in preventing the spread of infectious diseases like HIV and Hepatitis C among people who inject drugs.
- The Needle Exchange Program of Asheville, established in 1994, is one of the largest and longest-running programs in North Carolina.
- The program distributes approximately 60,000 needles per month but struggles to meet demand.
- Two additional syringe access programs operate in Buncombe County: Steady Collective and a clinic at the Buncombe County Health Department.
Resource & Support Groups in Asheville
- Narcotics Anonymous (NA) in Asheville
- SMART Recovery in Asheville
- Asheville Comprehensive Treatment Center
- Offers methadone, suboxone, and subutex prescriptions combined with counseling services.
- Address: 2 McDowell St. Suite B, Asheville, NC 28801
- Western Carolina Treatment Center
- Provides individualized treatment plans using physician-prescribed medication (including methadone) and psychosocial counseling.
- Address: 3 Doctors Park Suite 3G, Asheville, NC 28801
- Mountain Health Solutions
- Offers outpatient substance abuse services, including MAT.
- Address: 2 McDowell St., Asheveille, NC 28801
- Women’s Recovery Center at Insight Human Services
- Provides intervention, prevention, and treatment services specifically for adolescent and adult women. They offer specialized programs for pregnant and postpartum parents seeking custody or parenting support.
- Address: 723 Fairview Rd., Asheville, NC 28803
Frequently Asked Questions
If you do not have insurance, the cost can vary based on the prescribed dose. Patients unable to afford buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) (regardless of insurance coverage) can apply for cost-assistance. The company that makes Suboxone offers this type of program to help reduce out-of-pocket expenses. To learn more, go to: inSupport program.
You can also get discounted buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) using pharmacy coupons or cash prizes. If you go to the GoodRx website (goodrx.com), you can enter in your zip code and find coupons and discounts at your pharmacy of choice. (On average, if you use GoodRx coupons/discounts, you can slash the typical price of generic Suboxone film from $395 to $118).
Before you are prescribed buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone), you will need to undergo an initial medical evaluation so that the doctor can ensure that it is an appropriate medication for you, though this does not require an in-person visit and can be done via telehealth (with video or telephone).
Once you have completed this assessment, the doctor will send a prescription to your preferred pharmacy. So, yes! You can find a licensed buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) provider online and they can get you started on it via telehealth services without any in-person appointments.
- Buprenorphine/naloxone (Subxone) which is available in outpatient clinics (at your primary care doctor’s office or a psychiatrist’s office)
- Naloxone (Vivitrol) which is available in outpatient clinics (at your primary care doctor’s office or a psychiatrist’s office)
- Methadone, which is available only through methadone clinics
If you are interested in Buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) offered entirely through telehealth services, visit bicyclehealth.com. To get help on finding other treatment options and levels of care (such as inpatient programs, intensive outpatient programs/IOPs, residential programs, and methadone clinics), call the SAMHSA helpline at:
1-800-662-HELP (4357).