In Charlotte, North Carolina, two people were caught apparently under the effects of fentanyl.

The fentanyl crisis continues to worsen in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, in 2025. Health authorities have warned that this emergency is disproportionately affecting Black and Hispanic communities, with a 200% increase in overdose deaths among these groups since 2019. In contrast, deaths among white residents rose by only 14% over the same period. Since 2019, 1,387 overdose deaths have been recorded in the county, and fentanyl was present in 27.8% of those cases.

Dr. Raynard Washington, the county’s Public Health Director, stated that the opioid epidemic is impacting all corners of the community and that the presence of fentanyl-laced drugs is proving devastating. In response, the health department distributed 16,968 doses of naloxone in 2024 to reverse overdoses and enable early emergency intervention.

Although 2025 has shown mild signs of improvement—such as a reduction in emergency room visits for overdoses and a slight decrease in total deaths—the situation remains critical. In January 2025, 123 fentanyl-related overdose deaths were reported in North Carolina, down from 223 in January 2024. In March alone, there were 270 suspected overdose deaths reported statewide.

Fentanyl continues to infiltrate street drugs like cocaine and counterfeit pills, making it even more dangerous. The scale of the crisis has driven harm-reduction programs, widespread naloxone distribution, and adjustments in public policy, but experts agree that a broader community mobilization is needed to contain the impact of this deadly epidemic.