1. Cabarrus County Substance Abuse
2016 Prevalence:
521 EMS calls for substance abuse complaints (*does not include cardiac/respiratory arrest or death)
163 confirmed heroin OD and 20 heroin deaths (600% increase)
Naloxone administered 273 times
406 behavioral health calls
152 Cardiac arrests
254 DOA calls
32,161 total calls
Common Locations
Residences
Parking lots
Schools
Businesses
Parks
Medication diversions from family
Commonly Abused Substances
Opioids: heroin, demerol, morphine, fentanyl, darvocet, dilaudid, methadone, hydrocodone, oxycodone, carfentanyl, Gray Death
Others: Methamphetamine, cocaine/crack, marijuana, bath salts, synthetics, antidepressants, and other prescription medications
Mitigation Activities
Work group collaboration with EMS and law enforcement
EMS & fire deploy Naloxone
Law enforcement consideration of Naloxone
Mental health board
Training
Awareness bulletins
Community partners
Healthy Cabarrus
Impact of Substance Abuse
Death
Health issues
Accidents
Violence / crime
Family issues
Work and school issues
Jail overcrowding
Emergency department overcrowding
SB Good Samaritan/Naloxone Law
Prevent fear from calling 911
Witnesses generally cannot be prosecuted
Family, friends, & broad public safety given access to Naloxone
Liability for Naloxone administration removed
When Seconds Count – Call 911

2. Cabarrus County Substance Abuse
Deaths
Prescription opioids responsible for most deaths
Most deaths unintentional
NC has higher overdose mortality than national average
Common Signs of Narcotic Overdose
Blue or pale skin
Unresponsive
Slow or absent breathing
Constricted pupils
Presence of drugs or paraphernalia
Community Partners
EMS, fire, and law
Hospital and public health
Mental health board
Project Lazarus
Community Care of NC
NC Harm Reduction Coalition
NC Office of EMS
Faith based partners
Common Signs of Other Overdose
Skin color changes
Behavior or mental status change
Slow or fast breathing
Slow or fast heart rate
Pupil and eye changes
Presence of drugs or paraphernalia
Hyperactive or hypoactive
Speech changes
Contact information:
Alan Thompson, Director Cabarrus EMS
704/
When Seconds Count – Call 911