ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Drug overdose deaths in North Carolina, particularly Buncombe County, are on the rise, county officials said.

International Overdose Awareness Day is Saturday, Aug. 31, and Buncombe County is partnering with SeekHealing for an Overdose Awareness Day Ceremony from noon-5 p.m. at Carrier Park.

The McDowell Sheriff’s Office held a similar event Friday.

According to the Buncombe County website, 151 people in the county lost their lives to drug overdoses in 2022 with more than 90 percent of those deaths being unintentional, according to data from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

Drugs and opioids impact all of us; it can be your partner, friends, neighbors, family members, or other loved ones. We encourage everyone to reach out for help and access life-saving support.

Knowing that 40 percent of overdose deaths occur while a bystander is present, Buncombe County Health and Human Services Harm Reduction program provides Fentanyl and Xylazine test strips at 40 Coxe Ave., from noon-4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The program also offers:

  • Harm reduction supplies
  • Linkage to community resources and medical care,
  • Testing and treatment for STI
  • Free overdose reversal trainings on the first Friday of the month

Opioid settlement funds

The county supports various life-saving programs using funds allocated from a $29 million opioid settlement being distributed over the next 14 years.

  • Post Overdose Response Team
  • Harm reduction services
  • Naloxone distribution
  • Community Reentry Team
  • Hope & Healing Campaign
  • Community Conversations Event
  • Community Paramedic Program

The Community Paramedic Program helps individuals at high risk of overdose get treatment and support. Since its inception, 402 individuals have started treatment with 53 percent continuing in care, the county’s website said. Some have even become certified peer specialists.

To learn more about how the Community Paramedics Mental Health Clinician team works with those engaged in services, watch this video.