Opioid Abatement Coordinating Center

From 2019–2020, there was a 40% increase in drug overdose deaths in the state, with historically marginalized communities experiencing disproportionately high increases in deaths. In response to this public health crisis, the North Carolina Collaboratory has funded five research projects that focus on community and local government engagement to prevent and reduce opioid misuse and abuse, to treat opioid use disorder, and mitigate other consequences of the opioid crisis. In addition, the Opioid Abatement Coordinating (OACC) was established at North Carolina Central University (NCCU). The purpose of the OACC is to provide operational leadership and to support the five projects through coordination, communications, and community engagement.