RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — According to the CDC, tens of thousands of people die each year from fentanyl. It’s an issue affecting people across the country, and right here in North Carolina.
Officials have been working on solutions for years to get fentanyl out of the state and country.
Just two milligrams of this powerful synthetic opioid is enough to kill the average person, and it does just that, every day.
“She loved everyone, and everyone loved her,” said Patricia Drewes of her daughter, Heaven Leigh Nelson. Drewes said in her daughter’s 24 years on this earth, she loved photography, the arts and people.
“She used to tell me all the time that there was no such thing as strangers. The strangers were friends that we just hadn’t met yet and that’s the way she lived her life,” she added.
Drewes said one day, Heaven went to a party.
“Something happened to her at a party—something tragic—and that set her into a tailspin. So, my daughter did suffer from a substance abuse disorder and that was caused by this tragic event,” Drewes said.
Her daughter went to a rehabilitation center in Kentucky for help.
“Someone brought her back home against my wishes. They had sent me a message saying they wanted to bring her back. You know, that she wanted to come home and I refused to bring her home because I wanted her to finish the program,” Drewes said.
She said Heaven came back home to Vance County, N.C. just before she received the call every parent fears.
“On a Monday night, January 28, 2019, and my fiancé answered the phone, and I heard him say oh God oh no,” Drewes said. “I think that my mind knew but my heart didn’t want to accept that it was about my daughter.”
Heaven passed away and it was not until months later that Drewes said she learned fentanyl took her daughter’s life. At the time, she says, she knew nothing about fentanyl.
“Absolutely nothing. No one was talking about illicit fentanyl in 2019. I had no clue,” said Drewes. “It felt like someone had punched me in my face and a gut punch because to me, illicit fentanyl, is, that’s a poisoning. That’s murder. And that’s what it felt like when I read the fentanyl. And I’m like, what is fentanyl?”
“A larger issue every single day”
Just the tiniest bit of fentanyl, two milligrams, is enough to kill the average person.
“It’s not just those that have a substance use disorder dying in this country. Everyone’s children are dying. We have infants, we have toddlers, we have teenagers, young adults, those with substance use disorder, and those without—dying. You know, it affects everyone,” said Drewes.
According to data from the North Carolina Division of Health and Human Services, in 2012, 140 people died from fentanyl state-wide. In 2021, the number skyrocketed to 3,117. The most-recent finalized data available comes from 2021, according to the department.
In Wake County in 2012, there was a more than 8,700% increase in deaths from fentanyl during that same time period.
In Durham County, there was an 8,900% increase in deaths from fentanyl from 2012 to 2021.
“Well, unfortunately, Mary, it’s becoming a larger issue every single day. And that’s not an over-exaggeration. For example, last year, my deputies seized approximately 3.7, little less than four grams of fentanyl. And earlier this year, we have seized over 300 grams of fentanyl,” said Durham County Sheriff Clarence Birkhead.
At the sheriff’s office, evidence technicians handle suspected fentanyl in plastic bags. The “controlled contraband” was seized by the sheriff’s office. In the room with the evidence is Narcan, just in case.
“We’ve seized in pills. We’ve seized pill presses along with it. It’s been laced. Marijuana is being laced with fentanyl. So, we’re seeing it in unimaginable places,” said Sheriff Birkhead. “This is an industry that is making money. Fentanyl is far cheaper than any other drug to manufacture or to make these days. We know that this is not just a North Carolina or East Coast problem. The precursors for fentanyl come from China. The drugs are coming up from the southern border. They’re coming across from the northern border, and they’re just infiltrating cities all across the country. And unfortunately, it has made its way to Durham.”
Provisional data from the CDC states in 2023, there were an estimated 74,702 deaths from synthetic opioids, which it says is primarily fentanyl. That’s down slightly from 76,226 in 2022.
Provisional data from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services from June 2024 shows “fentanyl positive” deaths also trending downward. These are deaths where fentanyl was detected but the person’s official cause of death has not been ruled/determined.
Turning tragedy into advocacy
While there are reported decreases in deaths, Drewes tells us, there is so much work to do. After her daughter’s death, she founded ‘Forgotten Victims of North Carolina,” is one of two state representatives for the North Carolina chapter of Drug-Induced Homicide Foundation, and is the Vice President of ‘Lost Voices of Fentanyl.’
“We are the largest fentanyl advocacy group in the country. We host a national event every year at the national monument, and we march to the white house,” said Drewes.
Sometimes attending these advocacy events by her side is her daughter’s son. “She was my only child so he will be my only grandchild and that’s what I call him. He’s my gift from God and Heaven.”
Drewes told CBS 17 she wants more people held accountable in these cases. In North Carolina, there is a criminal charge called death by distribution. However, she says no one has been charged in connection to her daughter’s death.
How to access naloxone, other resources in NC
In North Carolina, there is a statewide standing order for naloxone, commonly known by the brand name, “Narcan.” It authorizes pharmacists to dispense naloxone to any person meeting the criteria.
Under this order, it is available without a prescription at most retail pharmacies in the state. It is also covered under most insurance policies. It is also available at local health departments and many syringe service programs.
According to preliminary SSP data from DHHS, more than 114,000 naloxone overdose rescue kits were distributed last year. For more information about naloxone and other statewide resources, visit the NCDHHS website or https://naloxonesaves.org/.