Groups focused on combating opioid abuse meet at Wilmington church

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) – They’re tackling the heroin and prescription drug epidemic head on around New Hanover County. Monday, members of non-profits, recovery centers, and those who are combating addiction gathered to talk about the latest efforts in recovery and prevention of deaths due to overdoses.

Port City Community Church played host to this conversation about how recovery efforts and overdose prevention are on the rise, but so are deaths because of what other drugs are now showing up to fuel this epidemic.

“It’s very hard, it’s very hard, but you’ve got to want it,” said Kristen McCumby.

McCumby is overcoming her past addiction and for a good reason.

“I have a five-year-old and she’s worth every bit of it.”

McCumby and her friend Maria are both in recovery at the Christian Recovery House.
One of several centers like the one at Port City Community Church offering the spiritual approach to beat addiction.

“There’s this guilt and shame that is associated with addictions all of the time and it’s one of the biggest battles,” said Mark Allen who is the pastor overseeing Refuge. “But if somebody really wants to know where to start, we have so many different resources.”

The church opened its doors to host a conversation with other recovery centers to combat the ongoing opioid crisis. Speakers like Robert Childs with N.C. Harm Reduction Coalition say there is a bright spot in the current crisis.

“We have used naloxone in community settings here in Wilmington more than Raleigh, Charlotte and Atlanta combined,” said Childs.

Daunting to think about, but what that means is that, at least locally, everyday people are saving the lives of addicts. The state Health Department reports 2017 naloxone use by EMS units was the highest it has ever been, greater than 4000 revivals were documented in the later part of 2017. However, at the same time, overdose deaths due to heroin and fentanyl continue to rise greater than 78% of reported overdoses involved the mixture.

“Overdoses are now happening faster than they use to because most of the drug supply we’ve encountered is laced with fentanyl in the tri-county area,” said Childs. “Around Pender, around New Hanover and around Brunswick county.”

For those in recovery, they say the clear way to save a life is to make a change.

“One day at a time you know and the doors will be opened and you’re going to live a much healthier and safe life,” said Maria Johnson who is in long-term recovery.