Cabarrus Co. Tries New Ways To Combat Opioid Abuse

Cabarrus County, NC — Paramedics have documented record-breaking opioid overdoses in Cabarrus County in the past two months.

Tuesday, first responders held a community meeting to spread awareness about the drug abuse.

Tears fell in the crowd as Robert Frazier described the night his daughter, Rachel Frazier, died Aug. 19. She was 23-years-old.

“There are no words,” said Robert Frazier.

Rachel’s mother, Lisa Frazier, found her body in a bedroom in their home.
“Devastating,” said Lisa Frazier. “It eats at you every day, every day.”

That month, Cabarrus County EMS documented the highest number of opioid overdoses.

Rachel was one of 81 patients, and one of nine who died.

Now, paramedics, police and health alliance hold the community meetings to explain the signs of opioid use and where to get help.

Capt. Jonathan Maulden with Cabarrus County EMS first brought the epidemic to leaders’ attention in 2015 when overdose numbers went from seven to 10 a month to more than 60 in Oct.

“I decided then that I needed to do something,” said Capt. Maulden.

He says patients either use prescription pills like Codene and Hydrocodone or heroin. He says, many times, that heroin is laced with Fentanyl. It’s more potent.

“We realized we had a major problem that we needed to deal with,” said Capt. Maulden.

Now, paramedics and police carry Narcan nose spray to reverse overdoses.

New this year: “After we go revive a patient with Narcan, that’s not the end of it,” said Capt. Maulden.

“We help connect them with the Cabarrus Health Alliance and other allied agencies to help with their addiction.”

Frazier says he still texts his daughter every night, a message she’ll never read.

“She had a great heart, an infections laugh,” said Frazier.

He hopes you get the message he shared with the crowd: “Don’t give up on them,” said Frazier. “Talk to you kids, talk to your kids, spend time with them, keep them busy.”

Health Alliance handed out lockboxes to the crowd Tuesday to keep prescription opioids safe and a pill disposal kit for unused medicine. You can also call paramedics, and they will come dissolve your pills for you at your home.