Navigating the Opioid Crisis: How Barriers to Care Worsen Outcomes for Black Patients

Charlotte, N.C. — Vibrant purple flags honored nearly 300 Mecklenburg County lives lost to opioid overdoses in 2023 during International Overdose Awareness Day. This year's gathering at the Valerie C. Woodard Community Resource Center signified a shift, with substantial Black attendance highlighting the epidemic's increasing impact on their community. Terica Carter, founder of Hajee House Harm Reduction, aims to address these disparities. Despite progress, treatment accessibility issues persist, leaving Black individuals at a disadvantage in seeking effective care and recovery resources.