Opioid Epidemic

Attorney General Josh Stein announced Thursday that he has reached a $573 million multi-state settlement with consulting firms McKinsey & Company over its role in advising opioid companies on how to promote their drugs and profit from the opioid epidemic.

In the three years that the Opioid Quick Response Team has been in existence, their success rate has increased every year.

Prosecutors said Seashore Drugs developed a reputation in the Wilmington pharmacy community as a place that “filled the prescriptions other pharmacies refused.”

Considering the millions of lives lost or affected by the opioid crisis, many believe $8 billion doesn’t even begin to cover the damage done.

The Wilmington Police Department and Coastal Horizons are warning residents of a recent spike in heroin overdoses

Aug. 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day. It aims to raise awareness and reduce the stigma of overdoses.

A substance abuse treatment center that led to packed city council meetings and a lawsuit is once again raising concern — but this time with one of the very agencies that made it happen.

WECT to broadcast drug, alcohol and mental health counseling on Bounce channel

While attention may be focused on COVID-19, the addiction crisis hasn't gone away.

As southeastern North Carolina continues to struggle against the addiction epidemic, one of the measures created to fight on the front lines is seeing continued success — as well as continued need.

It’s time to clean out your medicine cabinet. New Hanover Regional Medical Center is partnering with regional healthcare, law enforcement and other organizations to host a medication disposal event in six counties.

North Carolina's attorney general is partnering with WECT to host a town hall meeting on the opioid crisis. The open discussion will take place on Thursday, October 24 in the Wilmington City Council chambers from noon to 1 p.m.

NHRMC is hosting a medication disposal event on Thursday, Oct. 24.

Efforts to push back against the opioid crisis have seen some success, but House said he believes there is still a long road ahead — one that, like the recovery road of an individual struggling against substance abuse, will require a variety of remedies and a shift in perspective.

Wilmington has been called the ‘opioid capital of the world.' The city, county, and region have been working to combat this epidemic for years. New Hanover County was the first county in the state to join a lawsuit looking to hold major drug companies accountable.“It’s origins stem from the under

New Hanover County commissioner Woody White met with other government representatives Friday to talk about lawsuits filed by across the country to take a stand against the parties responsible for contributing to the opioid epidemic.

Sesame Workshop is exploring the backstory of Karli, a bright green, yellow-haired friend of Elmo’s whose mother is battling addiction. The initiative is part of the Sesame Street in Communities resources available online.

By some measures, trends related to the opioid crisis seem to be improving, but experts warn there is a long way to go.

The first installment of a series where WECT Investigates where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re going in the battle against opioid addiction.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services says unintentional opioid-related overdose deaths fell by 5% in 2018, compared to a 34% increase in deaths in 2017.

Opioid manufacturer, Johnson & Johnson, has been ordered to pay $572 million to Oklahoma for misrepresenting their products and contributing to the opioid crisis.

Law enforcement has a new way to battle the opioid crisis in North Carolina after Governor Roy Cooper signed House Bill 474 into law on Monday.

Legislation designed to give North Carolina prosecutors a new tool to convict drug dealers is now law.

In February, the Coastal Horizons Quick Response Team had connected with 66 survivors of opioid overdoses, getting them treatment they need. Less than six months later, that number is up to 148.

The Coastal Horizons Center in Wilmington is one of six facilities in North Carolina to share $1.2 million in federal grants to fight the opioid epidemic.

The Board of Commissioners also passed an amendment to fund the demolition and rebuild of the Division of Juvenile Justice facility.

Julia Olson-Boseman said a treatment facility is just as necessary for women as it is for men.

A Wilmington store is among two businesses that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued warning letters to for illegally selling unapproved, misbranded kratom-containing drug products claiming they can treat or cure opioid addiction and withdrawal symptoms.

According to a news release from the county, this marks three consecutive years the tax rate has either stayed the same or been reduced.

An event called Operation Medicine Drop gives the community an opportunity to get rid of expired and unused medicines to keep children safe and help the opioid crisis.