Officials: D.A.R.E. program evolves to combat opioid crisis

IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. — Iredell County is continuing to see opioid-related overdose deaths.

New data from the State Department of Health and Human Services says that, in 2017, there were 28 deaths, which is up from 25 in 2016.

Statewide opioid-related deaths rose 34 percent.

State health officials say the increase is due to the increased availability in potent illicit drugs such as heroin and fentanyl.

Officials say the opioid epidemic is the reason the D.A.R.E. program is evolving.

D.A.R.E. stands for "drug abuse resistance education" and is taught in many schools across the country.

It used to involve legal drugs. But now, the list includes legally prescribed, and highly addictive opioids.

To learn more about North Carolina's plan to combat the opioid crisis, visit the N.C. opioid action plan data dashboard.

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Cox Media Group