Emergency department data shows opioid overdoses in NC are rising faster than in the rest of the Southeast.

North Carolina is identified as one of ten states with significant overdose increases- at a rate more than double that of the Southeast as a whole.

ER visits for overdoses in NC rose sharply in the second and third quarters of 2017 compared to the two previous quarters.

In response to the epidemic, some NC counties – including Burke and Catawba – have joined a federal lawsuit against the producers and distributors of opioids.

State health officials report one third of the state’s 100 counties had more opioid prescriptions than people in 2016.

More than 63-thousand Americans died of drug overdoses in 2016- a 21-percent increase from 2015.

The CDC says heroin and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl are driving the increases.

A Valdese man is charged with trafficking methamphetamine along with multiple failing to appear counts. Hickory Police Tuesday reported charges on 42-year-old Davy Leonard Goodman.

He is charged with failing to appear on two counts of trafficking meth, along with 1 count each of possession with intent to manufacture sell or deliver meth, possession of controlled substance in prison/jail premises and being an habitual felon.

Bond was set $3,120,000 with a court appearance scheduled today.

A Marion woman faces breaking, entering and larceny charges.

The McDowell County Sheriff's Office reported charges Wednesday of breaking, entering and larceny, breaking and entering a motor vehicle, amd larceny after breaking and entering on 30-year-old Nisha Lucille Hollifield.

Hollifield and another person, 32-year-old Adam Lee Harding of Marion were previously charged with stealing a truck from the property of Jerry Webb of Marion. The Sheriff's Office reports that after further investigation, Hollifield, who is acquainted with the victim, broke into Webb's house and stole the key to the truck