DURHAM, N.C. — With over 130 overdose emergency visits within the first six months of 2024 alone, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Durham County continues to battle what has been classified by the United States Department of Justice as the deadliest drug epidemic in American history. As residents face the crisis, recent White House visits to the county have drawn attention.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the majority of overdose deaths involve the opioid fentanyl. Some of those who have overdosed on the drug believed they were taking other substances, such as cocaine or marijuana. Unknowingly, these substances were laced with fentanyl. This is the story of Jake Beauchaine, a Durham County resident, and several others. Despite police action in getting fentanyl off the streets, substance abuse task forces, such as Durham Joins Together to Save Lives, continue to fight for policy change and increased awareness about the epidemic. 

“Certainly, there is more to do because any overdose death is one too many,” said Steve Rawson, president of the Durham Democrats.

In August, Dr. Rahul Gupta, the policy director of the Office of National Drug Control, met with Durham County leaders to strategize ways to combat the crisis. However, the recent attention to the opioid epidemic raises concerns about the government’s sincerity and dedication to resolving the issue. This is primarily because of the upcoming presidential election and the significant number of registered Democrats in the county, specifically Durham. 

This skepticism stems not only from the timing of Gupta’s visit but also from Vice President Harris’ visit to Durham in March. During her visit, Harris went to Black Wall Street, where she discussed the economy, specifically focusing on increasing small business success. However, she did not mention the opioid crisis in her speech. This exclusion has led to questions and opinions about whether the administration and Harris as a presidential candidate are in touch with Durham County’s most pressing needs. 

“I absolutely view the federal government’s visits to Durham as credible efforts to hear the community and participate in creating solutions and not just as a political opportunity,” said Rawson.

Durham County resident, Caelius DeConto, shared a different perspective. When asked if he thought politicians’ focus on Durham County was out of genuine concern or mainly for political gain, he said, “100% political gain.” Others such as Rawson disagreed.

“The Biden-Harris administration has been doing the hard work all along. These visits to the community have a great deal of credibility. This is an administration that is listening and working on solutions to the problem, not just showing up a couple of months before the election,” said Rawson. 

Rawson also explained that the opioid crisis was not the intention of Harris’ visit to Durham. That said, the epidemic is a varied issue, so when considering the matter, it is important to take into account that it is part economic, said Rawson, pointing to the idea that by addressing the economy, Harris indirectly addressed a solution to the opioid crisis. 

He added to this view by saying that although politicians may not directly address a certain issue, that does not mean they do not care. The opioid crisis is a national crisis, he explained, and the Biden-Harris Administration has been combating it for years on a national level, Rawson said. 

“I have seen the Biden-Harris administration using the tools they have and empowering states and local governments to use the tools they have in partnership with each other to try to find solutions to this difficult problem,” Rawson said.

Emerson Kirby, the second vice chair of the Durham Democrats, also defended Harris.

“I think whatever the timing is, it is important to balance skepticism with hope. Even though it is the election season, if there are resources and support going into solving this opioid crisis, that’s a good thing no matter the timing,” Kirby said. 

Based on White House visits to Durham County, there is support going into solving the opioid crisis, as suggested by Kirby. According to a White House press release, when Dr. Gupta joined Durham County Sheriff Clarence Birkhead and Durham County Health Director Dr. Rodney Jenkins, he complimented their strides in increasing accessibility to life-saving overdose medication, such as Naloxone, available 24 hours every day through Narcan vending machines. 

While Gupta’s validation shows the effectiveness of community-driven solutions, many residents are still seeking increased resources and solutions in addition to support as overdose death numbers continue to rise in the county. Numbers increased from 82 in 2020 to 132 in 2022 and 133 in 2024, according to CBS 17 and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.  

“You can see the wide impact that the opioid crisis has had not just on Durham and other urban communities like it, but also the rural communities that surround us and the number of lives that have been lost – the number of lives that have been ruined,” Rawson said. 

The motives of the government remain unclear as Durham County residents continue to confront the ongoing opioid epidemic. As the election draws near, the coming months may see continued discussion on the authenticity of federal efforts to combat the crisis.

Edited by Emily Gessner