North Carolina gov. wants Fentanyl Control Unit added to House budget

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – North Carolina Governor Josh Stein on Thursday made a stop in Charlotte. Gov. Stein spoke alongside law enforcement and other agencies about funding for a Fentanyl Control Unit that he hopes will address the ongoing issue.

The unit will be made up of prosecutors and special agents that will focus on investigating drug rings and eliminating the flow of the opioid into the state.

North Carolina’s State Bureau of Investigation says that the state needs to respond proportionately to the rising opioid danger for citizens.

As the State House is currently considering its budget, Gov. Stein wants the new unit to be included.

He estimates that it will cost around $2.5 million dollars a year which he says is well within the resources of the budget.

Debbie Dalton lost her son Hunter, to a fentanyl overdose in 2016, she says he was given recreational drugs by his best friend.

Neither knew it was laced with fentanyl. Dalton says her son had a heart attack almost instantly.

“Now, he was so strong they were able to revive him, but I sat with my son in the hospital holding his hand, for seven days,” Dalton said. “He never regained consciousness, and I held his hand as he took his last breath.”

According to North Carolina’s State Bureau of Investigation on average nine people in the state experience a fentanyl overdose every day.

“We have to reduce the number of people struggling with addiction. And we can,” Governor Stein said. “There are proven methods, and we have to be more concerted in our effort to help people who are struggling with addiction.”

Daymark Recovery Services has recovery services across North Carolina. Chief Program Officer Michelle Ivey says that more needs to be done to help communities.

“Because of the funding needs and the fact that many of these individuals may not health insurance there definitely is a need to ensure that the state and municipalities are funding programs in ways that are meaningful to each community,” Ivey said.

As the State House considers its budget, Stein wants this unit to be included.

“If they believe that too many people are dying of fentanyl, they need to put some resources that are dedicated to attacking the problem,” Stein said.

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