Grief That Demands Action
Debbie Dalton carries the weight of losing her son to a fentanyl overdose. Her story, shared alongside Governor Josh Stein at a recent Raleigh event, echoes the anguish of countless North Carolinians. The fentanyl crisis tears families apart, leaving scars that never fade. Stein’s push for a Fentanyl Control Unit signals a commitment to stop this devastation. His proposal carries the urgency of a state desperate to protect its people.
The numbers paint a grim picture. Between October 2023 and September 2024, the CDC recorded 87,000 overdose deaths nationwide, with fentanyl as the primary culprit. In North Carolina, every community feels the loss. These aren’t just statistics—they’re neighbors, friends, and loved ones. How long will we let this crisis rob us of our future?
Stein’s 2025-2027 budget lays out a clear strategy. By funding a specialized unit of prosecutors and investigators, the state can target the trafficking networks fueling this epidemic. Yet the plan goes beyond punishment, weaving in compassion to address the human toll. It’s a balanced approach that recognizes the need to act decisively while supporting those caught in addiction’s grip.
A Leader With Proven Resolve
Stein’s track record speaks volumes. As Attorney General, he secured over $1 billion for North Carolina from opioid settlements, funds now fueling treatment and prevention. His advocacy for border fentanyl scanners and the Stop Counterfeit Pill Act tackled the crisis’s roots. Now, as governor, he proposes a Fentanyl Control Unit to intensify the fight against trafficking.
Housed in the Department of Justice, this unit will assist local prosecutors with complex trafficking and overdose cases. By partnering with federal agencies and using wiretap authority, it targets the Mexican cartels driving the crisis. In 2024, DHS seized over 13,000 pounds of fentanyl, a stark reminder of the scale we face. Stein’s plan ensures North Carolina pulls its weight in this national battle.
Enforcement alone isn’t enough. Stein pairs his unit with calls for expanded treatment and harm reduction, aligning with the Biden-Harris Administration’s $21.8 billion FY 2025 investment in substance use disorder care. Access to naloxone and buprenorphine saves lives. Why focus solely on arrests when we can prevent overdoses and help people heal?
A Flawed Alternative Falls Short
Some leaders, including supporters of President Trump’s recent tariffs on Mexico and Canada, insist that stricter border measures and harsher penalties will end the crisis. Their emphasis on walls and arrests overlooks decades of evidence. Since the 1986 Anti-Drug Abuse Act, billions spent on interdiction haven’t stopped overdose deaths from rising—17,000 in 1999 to over 80,000 by 2021. Why cling to a strategy that fails?
These approaches often sideline human needs. Proposals to cut treatment grants, like those from the Republican Study Committee, undermine proven solutions. Virginia’s 44% drop in fentanyl deaths after expanding naloxone and education shows what works. Ignoring harm reduction in favor of punitive measures doesn’t just miss the point—it abandons families who need support most.
A Vision for a Safer Tomorrow
North Carolina faces a pivotal moment. Stein’s Fentanyl Control Unit awaits House approval, and every delay costs lives. With $1.5 billion in opioid settlement funds, the state has resources to act. Pairing enforcement with treatment and prevention creates a holistic response. This is our chance to build a system that values every life.
Picture a state where overdoses no longer haunt our communities. Where recovery is within reach, and families find hope instead of grief. Stein’s evidence-based plan moves us toward that reality, but lawmakers must act with courage. Will they stand with grieving parents like Debbie Dalton?
The fight against fentanyl is personal for too many. North Carolina can lead by funding Stein’s unit, expanding care, and saving lives. Let’s honor those we’ve lost by acting now. Our state deserves a future free from this crisis’s shadow.