In a decisive move to aggressively combat the fentanyl epidemic plaguing North Carolina, Governor Josh Stein has publicly called for the establishment of a dedicated Fentanyl Control Unit. Stein's proposition was put forward amidst the voices of law enforcement and residents whose lives have been upended by the drug crisis. In his statement, Stein highlighted the urgency of addressing the issue, remarking, "Too many North Carolinians continue to die from fentanyl and too many families have lost a loved one to overdose. We must do more to stop the fentanyl crisis and save lives," according to the Governor's Office's press release. He has appealed to the North Carolina House to approve a budget that includes funding for the unit which aims to stem the tide of narcotics entering the state.
With the Governor's proposed 2025-2027 budget, the Fentanyl Control Unit's mandate would be to thoroughly investigate and shut down the networks responsible for the distribution of fentanyl. The initiative is not Stein’s first foray into the battle against opioids; as Attorney General, he spearheaded a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general to secure accountability and compensation from opioid drug companies, leading to over $55 billion in settlements, over $1 billion of which was allocated to North Carolina. "Our state must do everything it can so that more families do not find themselves with that same grief," Debbie Dalton, founder of the HD Life Foundation and a strong proponent for fentanyl awareness, told the Governor's Office in the wake of losing her son to an overdose.
Dalton's partnership with Governor Stein serves as a testament to the collaborative nature of this public health initiative, bringing together policymakers, law enforcement, and citizens affected by this crisis. The Governor's efforts have been instrumental in securing resources aimed to curtail the deadly tide of fentanyl, including a substantial $300 million investment for fentanyl scanners at the border and advocating for legislation such as the Stop Counterfeit Pill Act in an effort to directly confront the alarming rise of counterfeit pills.
By proposing to allocate resources towards establishing this unit, Governor Stein is aiming to provide law enforcement with tools necessary to more effectively perform their job.
