FAYETTEVILLE - United Healthcare is donating 10,000 drug kits to Cape Fear Valley Health and Cumberland-Fayetteville Opioid Response Team (C-FORT) to prevent potential opioid misuse.
A press conference will be held Monday, Dec. 3, at 10:30 a.m., at the Medical Arts Center Pharmacy at 101 Robeson St. Cape Fear Valley and United Healthcare medical directors will demonstrate the kits. Alex Cunningham, a peer counselor and recovering addict, will also speak.
Each donated opioid disposal kit deactivates up to 45 tablets or six opioid patches. They provide a safe and easy way to remove unused opioids from the home. The donation is part of a nationwide effort to address the deadly opioid epidemic.
North Carolina outpaces the nation for opioid-related overdose deaths with over 15 deaths per 100,000 people. The national average is 13 deaths per 100,000, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The rate has almost doubled since 2010.