Category: Awareness

Fentanyl deaths decrease across state, Richmond’s rate remains highest

Read the original article on the Richmond Observer website.

ROCKINGHAM — Richmond County continues to have the state’s highest fentanyl-positive death rate, although the number of such deaths continues to drop statewide.

According to the latest figures published by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, the rate of fentanyl-positive deaths in Richmond County from July of 2024 to August of 2025 was 38.1 — more than twice the statewide rate of 14.3.

(NOTE: Rates are per 100,000.)

The OCME no longer lists the actual number of deaths per county, however, the rate is the same as it was for the 12 months ending in July of 2025.

Other counties with the top-1o highest rates are: Bladen (33.6); Gaston (30.6); Burke (30.5); Robeson (29.5); Pasquotank (26.6); Yadkin (26.3); Wilson (25); Buncombe (24.4); and Rowan (22.2).

Statistics show that, statewide, deaths decreased by 17% from 126 in July to 104 in August. Fentanyl-positive deaths are also down 26% compared to the first eight months of 2024, and numbers are the lowest since 2019. 

Neighboring Anson County is one of about a dozen counties with no fentanyl-positive deaths in the past year.

The total number of such deaths peaked in 2022 at 3,358. That year, the county’s rate topped out at 76.7.

Based on reports, fentanyl was the only substance present in 19% of deaths. Over the past year, cocaine has been the largest contributor in polysubstance use fentanyl-positive deaths (36%-53%), followed closely by methamphetamine (22%-41%).

Man arrested in connection with 2024 fatal overdose in Pleasant Garden

Read the original article on the ABC45 News website.

Detectives from the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Investigative Unit have arrested a 31-year-old man following an extensive investigation into a fatal overdose that occurred in April 2024.

The incident took place on April 29, 2024, when deputies responded to a reported overdose at 6012 Laurel Knoll Drive in Pleasant Garden, N.C. Upon arrival, Guilford County Emergency Services pronounced 41-year-old Roger Lee Brown Jr. deceased.

With assistance from the N.C. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and the Guilford County District Attorney’s Office, detectives charged Dylan Wayne Brown with felony death by distribution. He is being held in the Guilford County Detention Center in Greensboro under a $100,000 secured bond. Brown’s first court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025, at 2 p.m.

Death By Distribution Charge Filed In 2024 Fatal Overdose

Read the original article on the Rhino Times website.

The Guilford County Sheriff’s Office has charged a man in connection with a fatal overdose that happened a year and a half ago.

According to Sheriff Danny Rogers, detectives with the Major Crimes Investigative Unit arrested 31-year-old Dylan Wayne Brown on Monday, Nov. 24, following what the department described as an extensive investigation into the April 2024 death of 41-year-old Roger Lee Brown Jr.

On April 29 of last year, deputies responded to 6012 Laurel Knoll Drive in Pleasant Garden for a reported overdose. While deputies were on the way, Guilford County Emergency Services pronounced Roger Lee Brown Jr. deceased at the scene.

Investigators said the case moved forward with assistance from the NC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and the Guilford County District Attorney’s Office.

 Detectives ultimately charged Dylan Wayne Brown (pictured above) with Felony Death by Distribution.

Brown is currently being held in the Guilford County Detention Center in Greensboro under a $100,000 secured bond. His first court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025, at 2 p.m.

The Sheriff’s Department said the investigation remains ongoing and added that there’s no additional information available at this time.

Anyone with information related to the case is being urged to contact Detective J. Allen at 336-641-2799 or Guilford County Crime Stoppers at 336-373-1000.

Suspect arrested after man dies of overdose in Guilford County

Read the original article on the MyFox8 News website.

GUILFORD COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) — A suspect has been arrested after allegedly supplying drugs to a man who overdosed, according to the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office.

On Monday, deputies arrested Dylan Wayne Brown, 31, on a charge of felony death by distribution in connection with the death of 41-year-old Roger Lee Brown Jr.

Brown Jr. died on April 29, 2024. Deputies had responded to the 6000 block of Laurel Knoll Drive in Pleasant Garden regarding a reported overdose. The sheriff’s office says Guilford County Emergency Services pronounced him dead en route.

Brown Jr. is being held under a $100,000 secured bond.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective J. Allen at (336) 641-2799 or Guilford County Crime Stoppers at (336) 373-1000.

Toddlers revived with Narcan after fentanyl exposure; mother & boyfriend charged

Read the article and watch the video on the WRAL TV News website.

Raleigh police arrested mother Vinus Humphreys and her boyfriend Tyrone Bannerman on felony child abuse charges after her twin 22-month-old children were exposed to fentanyl inside their apartment.

Raleigh police arrested a mother and her boyfriend for child abuse after they said her twin toddlers were exposed to fentanyl inside their apartment.

Vinus Humphreys, 25, and Tyrone Bannerman, 28, are both facing two counts of felony child abuse. Raleigh police responded after 8 p.m. Monday to a home on Lake Hills Drive to a report of an unresponsive child.

EMS was already on scene providing medical aid to a 22-month-old child when, shortly after, the child’s twin also became unresponsive.

First responders administered Narcan to both children and took them to the hospital for further treatment. Their condition is considered stable and are expected to survive.

Narcan is is a medicine that can help people who are overdosing on an opioid.

Raleigh police found drugs, drug paraphernalia and a firearm inside the home, resulting in more charges for Bannerman, including:

  • Trafficking opium/heroin
  • Manufacturer of Schedule II controlled substance
  • Misdemeanor possession of marijuana

The incident raised concerns for Barb Walsh, the executive director of the Fentanyl Victims Network of North Carolina. The number of children younger than the age of 5 dying from fentanyl is on the rise. According to the North Carolina Office of the Medical Examiner, 29 children younger than 5 year  old died from fentanyl between 2017 and 2022, with 72% of those deaths occurring in 2021 and 2022.

“It breaks my heart,” Walsh said. “I hate to use the word overdosing with a two-year-old because they didn’t know what they were taking.”

Walsh lost her 24-year-old daughter in 2021 to an unintentional fentanyl exposure when a toxic amount of it was in a water bottle. It’s why she’s so involved in advocating for change so other families don’t have to experience this pain.

“We’re making progress,” Walsh said. “That’s all we can hope for.”

Earlier this year, Gov. Josh Stein signed a new law creating new criminal offenses for exposing a child to a controlled substance.

Walsh said it goes much further than the laws in place now.  

“They get child abuse or child neglect,” Walsh said. “The new law will be a felony even if they ingest it and are OK. That will save someone else’s life.”

Walsh said the new law is a lot more specific compared to the broader charge of child abuse. However, Humphreys and Bannerman won’t be charged under the new law. While Stein signed it into law in July, it won’t become effective until Dec. 1, which is exactly four weeks after Humphreys’ twins were exposed to fentanyl.

“People who endanger a child with a harmful substance like fentanyl should be held accountable for their actions,” Walsh said. “It will lead to lives being saved. That’s the goal. We want lives saved.”

Humphreys and Bannerman are due in court for their first appearances Wednesday afternoon in Wake County. Authorities are holding both of them without bond.

18 arrested in Carteret “Operation Find Out” drug crackdown

Read the original article on the Carteret County News-Times website.

CARTERET COUNTY — Carteret County Sheriff Asa Buck announced the arrest of 18 suspects that are facing 146 felony charges in round one of “Operation Find Out.” According to Buck, the arrests were the result of a months-long operation by the sheriff’s office carried out through undercover purchases, with charges ranging from possession to trafficking.

Buck said the arrests have come with bond amounts as high as $10 million. At least 30 more suspects will be arrested as part of the operation in the coming weeks, he said during a Wednesday press conference.

“The message is clear – sell drugs in Carteret County and you’ll find out,” Buck said. ”You’ll find out that you’ll be arrested, taken to jail, and likely depending on your charges given a high bond to keep you in jail. You’ll be strictly prosecuted and many of you will ultimately find yourselves serving prison time.”

Buck said his team of detectives has done “tremendous work” in taking drug dealers off the streets. He said Carteret County District Attorney Matt Wareham and Assistant District Attorney David Spence have also been critical partners in their efforts. 

“The work they have done over the years has made a major impact on our county and our work continues,” Buck said. 

Wareham warned that the DA’s office will seek tough sentences for drug-related crimes. 

“To those folks who sell drugs, who traffic in drugs, who live off others misery, we will prosecute you. We will seek tough enforcement, we will seek long prison sentences,” Wareham remarked.

Buck noted that Carteret County leads the state in prosecuting death by distribution cases. 

“If you want to go to prison for killing someone over something as stupid, foolish and needless as selling dope, then keep on and find out,” Buck commented. 

Buck noted that drug overdose deaths in Carteret County have fallen from 36 in 2020 to only five this year.

“We were having a terrible problem with Fentanyl for some time, and it seems like we’re not dealing with as much as we had been in the past,” he said.

For those addicted to drugs, Buck said the county is willing to offer help. 

Brooke Lane, who heads up the Carteret County Post Overdose Response Team, echoed Buck’s remarks. 

“There is help out there. You don’t have to end up in our county jail, you don’t have to end up part of this operation,” she commented. 

October Hometown Hero: Annie Brown

Read the original article and watch the video on the WITN TV News website.

CARTERET COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) – After losing her 26-year-old son, Tyler Dees, to fentanyl in 2022, Annie Brown of Carteret County has turned unimaginable grief into a powerful mission of hope and healing for others battling addiction.

Dees, a Carteret County native, was known for his love of fishing, making lures, and spending time with friends and family. His mother says his death came after years of struggling with mental health issues.

“I got the call the next day from his dad that he was gone,” Brown said. “I knew he was going to pass away before I moved back from California, I just didn’t know it would happen right before the holidays. He’s at peace right now with all the demons he was battling. He was diagnosed at a very early age with depression.”

Brown says her son’s death was not an isolated tragedy.

Continue reading “October Hometown Hero: Annie Brown”
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