CMPD: 1,000 overdose calls so far this year

Almost 140 folks have died from drug overdoses up to now this yr, a 20% enhance from final yr, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police reported Monday.

The division has responded to greater than 1,000 overdose requires service, police stated.

 “Fentanyl will kill you the place you stand. All it takes is 2 milligrams, an quantity that may match on the tip of a pencil,” Captain Fischbach stated.

In 2020, the speed of overdose deaths amongst Non-Hispanic Black residents of Mecklenburg was 16.6, or a complete of 292 overdose deaths, in accordance with the NC Division of Well being and Human Companies.

Roughly 60% of overdoses are folks below the age of 40 years. Teenagers have additionally been victimized at an alarming price, police stated. 

The division contributes to the rise in overdoses as a result of drug being present in cocaine, marijuana and tablets.

Roughly 29.6 kilograms of fentanyl was seized by the division. Greater than 84,013 suspected fentanyl tablets had been seized this yr.“

“These items is extremely harmful and will be hiding in something,” Fischbach stated.

Within the upcoming yr, greater than $224 million is anticipated to be distributed to native police departments to help extra hiring of officers, technical help to drug investigations and figuring out and creating practices to interrupt drug trafficking, in accordance with Dena J. King, U.S. legal professional for the Western District of North Carolina.

 Should you or a liked one is scuffling with habit, name the nationwide hotline at 1-800-662-4357.