Opioid Epidemic

Information and resources listed on the Opioid Epidemic pages is intended for the sole purpose of educating the reader regarding topics related to mental health and substance use and is not meant as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Those who are at risk should seek immediate assistance from emergency personnel or call 911.

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Drug disposal

Public drop boxes are available to securely and anonymously dispose of unused medications 24/7. DO NOT drop syringes.

Concord:
Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office, 30 Corban Avenue SE;

Concord Police Department, 41 Cabarrus Avenue W

Harrisburg:
Harrisburg Hometown Pharmacy, 5006 NC-49

Kannapolis:
Kannapolis Police Department, 401 Laureate Way

Mt. Pleasant:
Moose Pharmacy, 8374 W. Franklin Street

CVS and Walgreens pharmacies offer public drop boxes at select locations. Contact local stores directly to inquire.

For confidential disposal at home using the Deterra Drug Deactivation System, call Cabarrus County EMS Community Paramedics at 704-920-2600 (option 6), seven days a week between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

 

Understanding terms

Behavioral health refers to mental/emotional well-being and/or actions that affect wellness. Behavioral health problems include substance use disorders; alcohol and drug addiction; and serious psychological distress, suicide and mental disorders.

Mental health disorders involve changes in thinking, mood and/or behavior. They can affect how we relate to others and make choices. Mental health disorders take different forms, such as deep levels of anxiety, extreme changes in mood or reduced ability to focus or behave appropriately. Other disorders involve unwanted thoughts and some may cause a person to see or hear things that are not there or have false beliefs about reality.

Substance use disorders occur when the recurrent use of alcohol and/or drugs causes significant clinical and functional impairment, such as health problems, disability and failure to meet major responsibilities at work, school or home.

 

Crisis and wellness planning

Anyone experiencing mental health difficulties needs to develop a crisis plan while they are well. The plan allows you to maintain some degree of control over your life, even when it feels like everything is out of control. After you develop your crisis plan, keep a copy with you and give a copy to your supporters.

A plan will help you:

  • Outline causes, warning signs and strategies to help de-escalate a crisis
  • List resources that are available to you while in crisis
  • Provide friends and family members with tools to effectively recognize, manage, plan and prevent a mental health crisis

Signs of distress and suicide

These signs may mean someone is at risk for suicide. Risk is greater if the behaviors listed below are new, escalate and/or relate to a painful event, loss or life change. Call the Lifeline 24/7 at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

  • Talks about wanting to die or to kill oneself
  • Looks for ways to kill oneself, such as searching methods online or buying a gun
  • Unable to get rid of troubling thoughts or memories
  • Feels hopeless, numb
  • Claims to have no reason to live
  • Feels trapped and/or is in unbearable emotional pain
  • Talks about being a burden to others
  • Withdraws from people or things
  • Feels isolated or fights with family and friends
  • Increases alcohol and/or drug use
  • Acts anxious or agitated; behaves recklessly
  • Shows rage or talks about seeking revenge
  • Sleeps or eats too little or too much
  • Displays extreme mood swings
  • Feels unusually confused, forgetful, on edge, angry, upset, worried or scared
  • Has trouble performing daily tasks

Emergency care for overdose victims

  1. Do not leave them alone
  2. If person is still conscious, walk them around
  3. Keep them awake—do not let them sleep it off
  4. Monitor their breathing

 

Syringe Service Program

Clean injection supplies are available through Cabarrus Health Alliance, 300 Mooresville Road, Kannapolis (noon – 2 p.m. and 3 – 5 p.m. each Monday, Wednesday and Friday) and Trinity United Church of Christ, 38 Church Street NE, Concord (3 – 5 p.m each Tuesday). Call 704-920-1126.

 

Community resources: Community health clinics

Cabarrus Health Alliance: 704-920-1000

Community Free Clinic: 704-782-0650

CRCHC — Logan Family Medicine: 704-792-2313

CRCHC — McGill Family Medicine: 704-792-2242

 

Community resources: Criminal justice

Cabarrus County District Attorney’s Office: 704-262-5510

Cabarrus County Magistrates’ Office: 704-262-5519

Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy: 1-800-438-1254

Legal Aid of North Carolina Concord Office: 1-866-219-5262

NC Crime Victim Compensation: 1-800-826-6200

NC Victim Assistance Network: 1-800-348-5068

Probation/Community Corrections: 704-782-0824

Community resources: Crisis financial assistance

Cooperative Christian Ministry: 704-786-4709

Cabarrus County Human Services704-920-1400

Salvation Army — Cabarrus & Stanly: 704-782-7822

Community resources: Dental clinics

Cabarrus Health Alliance Dental: 704-920-1070

Community Free Clinic: 704-782-0650

Community resources: Domestic violence, sexual assault and trafficking

Cabarrus Victim Assistance Network 24/7: 704-788-2826

Esther House 24-Hour Crisis Line: 704-961-7500

Family Crisis Center — Rowan County: 704-636-4718

National Domestic Violence Hotline 24/7: 1-800-799-7233

National Human Trafficking Resource Center 24/7: 1-888-373-7888

National Sexual Assault Hotline 24/7: 1-800-656-4673

Present Age Ministries — Trafficking: 704-956-2120

 

Community resources: Employment & other

Cabarrus County Vocational Rehab: 704-788-2172

Cabarrus County Human Services704-920-1400

Goodwill Opportunity Campus: 704-372-3434

NC Works Career Center — Cabarrus: 704-786-3183

Social Security Administration: 1-800-772-1213

Unemployment Insurance Benefits: 1-888-737-0259

Community resources: Family & peer support; Crisis/WRAP plans

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Hotline 24/7: 704-332-4387

Al-Anon (Family support for alcohol use disorder) Concord: 704-523-1159

Amazing Grace Advocacy: 980-229-3423

Celebrate Recovery Support Group: celebraterecovery.com

Family Support Network: 980-522-8740

Heroin Anonymous — Crossroads Church: 704-795-0423

Mental Health America (MHA): 704-365-3454

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Connection Recovery Group: 704-963-9199

Narcotics Anonymous Greater Piedmont: 704-640-6488

Nar-Anon Family Group: 1-800-477-6291

RU Recovery Program — Faith Baptist: 704-791-5987

Turning Point Family Services: 980-781-5156

Community resources: Housing resources & shelters

Center of Hope Night Shelter: 704-782-7710

Church of God Children’s Home: 704-788-1164

Community Link NC: 1-800-977-1969

Concord Housing Authority: 704-920-6100

Cooperative Christian Ministry: 704-918-1269

Operation Homeless: 704-932-6882

Opportunity House: 704-786-4020

Prosperity Unlimited, Inc. (mortgage assistance): 704-933-7405

Salvation Army: 704-782-7822

The Salvation Army Center for Hope: 704-782-7710

The Relatives Youth Crisis Center Hotline 24/7: 704-377-0602

 

Community resources: Mental health, substance use/Addiction & recovery

Anuvia Prevention & Recovery — Charlotte: 704-376-7447

AYA House — Concord: 704-784-2592

Capstone Women’s Recovery Center — Salisbury: 704-749-0797

Center for Emotional Health: 704-237-4240

Charlotte Rescue Mission: 704-333-4673

CMC Randolph Behavioral Health — Charlotte: 704-444-2400

Daymark Recovery Services: 704-933-3212

Fresh Start Sober Living — Charlotte: 704-264-1005

Genesis: A New Beginning: 704-720-7770

Hope Haven — Charlotte: 704-372-8809

Monarch: 1-866-272-7826

North Carolina Oxford Houses: 919-395-8192

NorthEast Psychiatric Services: 704-403-1800

RHA Behavioral Health Services: 704-721-5551

Urban Ministry: 704-347-0278

Serenity House — Concord: 704-786-8722

Substance Abuse Education and Recovery (SABER) Screening: 704-926-0618

Community resources: Prescription assistance

NC Med Assist: 1-866-331-1348

NeedyMeds: needymeds.org

Partnership for Prescription Assistance: 1-888-477-2669

Rx Outreach: 1-877-727-9928

County resources: Transportation

Cabarrus County Transportation Services: 704-920-2246

Rider Transit: 704-920-7433

Community resources: Veterans

Cabarrus County Veterans Services Office: 704-920-2869

Family Endeavors Charlotte Office: 704-780-4950

NCServes Metrolina: 1-855-425-8838

VA Healthcare Center — Charlotte: 704-329-1300

VA Medical Center — Salisbury: 1-800-706-9126

Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255