New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show North Carolina has been hit hard by the opioid epidemic.
In fact, the state has been listed among the worst in the nation when it comes to an increase in deaths from heroin.
Between 2014 and 2015, heroin overdose deaths shot up by more than 46 percent in North Carolina. That's more than any other state listed in the report, except for South Carolina.
Nationwide, the number of deaths from opioids increased across the board. If there's a bright spot, it's this: the number of deaths from methadone – which can be used to treat heroin withdrawal – have dropped, especially in North Carolina.
Abuse of painkillers like Oxycontin – which can lead to heroin abuse – has caused federal health officials to call for alternative drugs and new prescribing practices.
The CDC says there needs to be a significant and collaborative approach to fighting the epidemic that includes law enforcement, public health officials, and primary care physicians. The agency has also recommended community harm reduction approaches like syringe exchange programs, which remain controversial in some cities and states.