A Growing Crisis
North Carolina families are reeling from the fentanyl crisis, a tragedy that has torn through communities with devastating force. Debbie Dalton, who lost her son to an overdose, shared her heartbreak at a recent Raleigh event alongside Governor Josh Stein and law enforcement officials. Her story captures the urgency of a problem that has claimed countless lives and left the state searching for effective solutions.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveals the scale of the issue. Between October 2023 and September 2024, the U.S. recorded 87,000 drug overdose deaths, with synthetic opioids like fentanyl driving most fatalities. Despite a 24 percent national decline, the drug remains a leading cause of death for young adults. In North Carolina, the crisis has ignited a push for action, with leaders proposing innovative strategies to confront it.
A Proposed Solution
Governor Stein has introduced a plan to establish a Fentanyl Control Unit, a dedicated team of investigators and prosecutors focused on halting the flow of fentanyl into the state. Outlined in his 2025-2027 budget, the unit would operate within the North Carolina Department of Justice, supporting local prosecutors in tackling major trafficking and overdose cases. The goal is clear: disrupt the networks fueling the crisis.
Stein’s initiative draws on his prior work. As Attorney General, he secured over $1 billion for North Carolina through opioid settlements, resources now bolstering local efforts. He also advocated for federal funding for border scanners and supported legislation targeting counterfeit pills. The proposed unit would enhance these efforts, using advanced evidence analysis and federal partnerships to pursue traffickers.
Approval remains uncertain. The North Carolina House must greenlight the budget, and some lawmakers argue that enforcement alone won’t suffice. This tension highlights a broader debate about balancing efforts to stop the drug’s supply with investments in treatment and prevention.
Voices Driving Change
For those affected, the crisis is deeply personal. Debbie Dalton, founder of the HD Life Foundation, has channeled her grief into advocacy, calling for decisive state action. “No one else should face this loss,” she declared in Raleigh, her words striking a chord with others impacted by overdose. Advocates like Dalton emphasize the need for a response that pairs enforcement with robust support for recovery.
Law enforcement leaders share this view, stressing collaboration. Programs like the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas initiative enable cross-jurisdictional teamwork, yielding results such as the 2024 seizure of 13,000 pounds of fentanyl nationwide. North Carolina’s proposed unit would strengthen these partnerships, but officers note that success requires sustained funding and community engagement.
Weighing All Sides
Nationally, responses to the fentanyl crisis vary. Some leaders focus on disrupting supply, pushing for stricter border controls, tariffs on countries tied to precursor chemicals, and tougher penalties for traffickers. Federal operations in 2024, including arrests across six states, reflect this approach, with millions of fentanyl-laced pills seized. These efforts aim to choke off the drug’s flow at its source.
Others advocate for public health measures, citing successes like Virginia’s 44 percent reduction in fentanyl-related deaths after expanding treatment access and overdose reversal training. Federal budgets support this, allocating $459 million for harm reduction tools and $21.8 billion for addiction treatment in 2025. Supporters argue that addressing addiction’s causes is essential to reducing demand.
North Carolina’s plan bridges these perspectives. The Fentanyl Control Unit emphasizes enforcement but complements funds for recovery programs. Critics warn that favoring one approach risks an incomplete solution, urging a strategy that integrates both to address the crisis comprehensively.
The Road Forward
North Carolina stands at a critical juncture in its fight against fentanyl. Families like Debbie Dalton’s bear the scars of loss, while communities confront the drug’s persistent threat. The proposed Fentanyl Control Unit offers a promising step, but its impact depends on legislative backing and a commitment to a well-rounded approach.
The state’s efforts mirror a national challenge. From seizures at the border to expanded treatment programs, the fight against fentanyl is multifaceted, with no easy answers. North Carolina’s initiative could set a precedent—or highlight the need for broader solutions—based on how it addresses both supply and demand.
The path ahead requires unity. Leaders, advocates, and residents share a common aim: to protect lives. Whether through stronger enforcement, better prevention, or expanded care, North Carolina’s response to the fentanyl crisis will demand persistence and collaboration to make a lasting difference.