President Joe Biden is urging stricter penalties for drug smugglers to combat the fentanyl crisis nationwide. Meanwhile, North Carolina District Attorneys are focusing on local strategies to address the epidemic's effects in their communities.

In 2023 alone, an average of 12 people died every day from overdoses, according to North Carolina's Chief Medical Examiner.

Jeff Nieman, district attorney for Orange and Chatham counties, emphasized the urgent need for action.

"What I see with fentanyl is a drug that accelerates the addictiveness and deadliness of substance use disorder," Nieman explained.

He argued there is a critical need for comprehensive strategies combining prevention, enhanced treatment options, and robust community support. On a federal level, the President will ask Congress for tougher penalties on drug traffickers and more regulations on substances related to fentanyl.

Todd Williams, district attorney for Buncombe County, echoed the need for a comprehensive approach. For him, it means intercepting fentanyl at the community level and holding traffickers accountable, while also expanding recovery services. Williams said he has already seen positive effects in his county through drug treatment courts.

"The program set up to provide for multiple chances at recovery," Williams emphasized. "All while ensuring that the offender is very well supervised and supported, and is not reoffending; not committing new crimes."

Both district attorneys touted the progress North Carolina has made, from creating a Fentanyl Task Force and passing an anti-money-laundering statute, to securing opioid settlement funds through Attorney General Josh Stein's office. Nieman stressed the measures are critical for supporting community efforts.

"He brought over $1 billion into the state of North Carolina," Nieman noted. "That's North Carolina in general, but the way that the settlement is structured, so that money is brought down to the local community, so that local leaders can decide how best to use that money to combat the crisis. That's key for us."

The Biden-Harris administration is also launching an "information partnership" with financial institutions, law enforcement and national security officials to crack down on drug trafficking and disrupt their means of financing.


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The most recent data from the group Trust for America's Health show overdoses and suicides remain at historic levels - despite a small decrease in 2022. But the findings for New Mexico are more encouraging than many other states.

Over the past two decades, said Brandon Reavis senior government relations manager for the Trust, said deaths from alcohol, drugs and suicide in the United States increased by 142%, from 74,000 in 2002 to almost 208,000 deaths in 2022.

"The report shows that in terms of combined deaths from alcohol, suicide and drug overdose, New Mexico is actually doing better than the national average," he said. "There was a 7% decline in the state, compared to a 1% decline across the country."

In contrast, he said, New Mexico has seen an increase in deaths from both fentanyl misuse and unintentional cocaine overdoses. While the combined rate of alcohol, drug and suicide deaths in 2022 was slightly lower for the first time in five years, it is still more than double what it was 20 years ago.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

New Mexico has had suicide prevention success using harm-reduction techniques, but Reavis said the state needs more oversight of insurance providers and sustainable funding for the 988 lifeline. He noted that the new data comes at a time when many groups are reporting more mental-health issues, especially among kids.

"New Mexico was near the bottom of the state rankings in terms of school mental-health services," she said, "so, surging resources and training for those types of services, I think, is really critical to achieving the kind of generational and foundational changes that we need here."

Suicide is often not preceded by warnings. New Mexico authorities believe there have been three suicides at the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge near Taos this year. Some community leaders say more bridge safety features are needed, but there are crisis hotline phones at the bridge, as well as an intervention security unit.


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Expanded treatment for opioid addiction is now available in New Mexico.

The state's Department of Health is offering medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder in four regions around the state.

Josh Swatek, harm reduction program manager for the New Mexico Department of Health, said medication to treat the addiction should help reduce opioid cravings.

"This is really designed to help reach some of the most rural communities, to really create a safety net," Swatek explained. "Folks have options for substance-use treatment in their local communities."

Swatek noted more than 2 million people in the U.S. have an opioid-use disorder. New Mexico previously offered outpatient disorder treatment in Las Cruces, Albuquerque and Roswell but has now expanded treatment to 30 public health offices. He pointed out in 2022, the state recorded slightly more than 700 deadly opioid overdoses.

Swatek emphasized his department is focused on harm reduction -- acknowledging people use drugs for a variety of reasons -- but can also live healthy, self-directed and purpose-filled lives by adopting specific strategies. He added research shows people are five times more likely to enter substance treatment programs and three-and-a-half times more likely to succeed if they have first participated in harm-reduction programs.

"We're working closely with the New Mexico department of corrections," Swatek stressed. "They're going to be required to offer substance-use treatment as well in their facilities, so that when folks are discharged there's a plan. No matter where they are in New Mexico, we can hopefully continue their treatment in a public health office, if need be."

Swatek acknowledged those struggling with addiction often are stigmatized by their community and harm-reduction programs can minimize risks until they're ready to take steps toward treatment or recovery. He observed some patients have told researchers telehealth has helped them have a greater sense of autonomy and control over their treatment.


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Often celebrated in popular culture, Wisconsin's relationship with alcohol continues to give way to troubling statistics that center around excessive drinking and there are calls to step up prevention efforts.

The Badger State still ranks high for beer production.

Maureen Busalacchi, director of the Wisconsin Alcohol Policy Project at the Medical College of Wisconsin, said consumption levels for all types of alcohol overshadow market gains. For example, all Wisconsin counties exceed the national average for excessive alcohol use. In 2022, the state recorded more than 3,300 alcohol-related deaths.

"This has been an ongoing problem in Wisconsin, in part, I think, how our regulatory system works, how our culture works," Busalacchi observed. "There's maybe not as much enforcement of policies as there are in other states."

She pointed out binge drinking is a major problem, and boosting age compliance checks at places that sell alcohol could help curb the activity among young adults. Busalacchi sees hope at the local level with stronger enforcement at community events, as police agencies take notice of the ripple effects of people being overserved or minors gaining access to these products.

However, she reported people who have developed a drinking problem often encounter waiting lists for treatment programs.

Faith Gladem, executive director of the Harbor Recovery Center, a nonprofit in central Wisconsin emphasizing family support in transitioning to recovery. She said they are able to meet demand through their services but referrals for more intensive help can be an issue.

"When someone needs treatment, we do not have enough treatment beds in Wisconsin," Gladem asserted. "We do not have enough detox facilities that detox with dignity."

Her team wants to help foster a mindset in Wisconsin where alcohol is put on the same level as other substance use disorders. The State Council on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse recommends more evidence-based education and Busalacchi added it is important to understand not just the short-term effects, such as traffic fatalities but the cumulative impact as well.

"The long-term impact of alcohol use can be cancer. It can also be high blood pressure, heart disease, liver disease, stroke," Busalacchi outlined. "And then there's the social and wellness issues; your family gets frustrated or you're losing work."


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