Crisis Next Door: The Fentanyl Epidemic

Crisis Next Door examines North Carolina's fentanyl epidemic, revealing the devastating toll fentanyl has taken on thousands of lives across the state. The documentary explores both the state's response to this growing crisis and the urgent actions still needed to save lives.

It explains the dangers of illicitly manufactured fentanyl, which is far more potent than pharmaceutical fentanyl and is often mixed into other drugs, placing unsuspecting users at extreme risk. In many cases, fentanyl is 50 times stronger than heroin, and even a tiny dose can be lethal. Families, communities, and frontline workers across North Carolina continue to face the harsh realities of the fentanyl epidemic.

The documentary also highlights confusion surrounding fentanyl, which has contributed to misunderstanding and a lack of empathy toward those affected by addiction. Crisis Next Door emphasizes the need for urgent education, prevention, and support initiatives, showing how immediate action is necessary to address this crisis and prevent further loss of life.

North Carolina's Fentanyl Epidemic

Governor Josh Stein "North Carolina continues to set the standard for fighting the opioid epidemic with transparency and accountability…making sure North Carolinians know how their counties and municipalities are investing these funds to save lives and build safer, healthier communities."

"We had five boys. William was the oldest, and Parker was out middle son. I just absolutely loved every moment of being able to be called their mother ... we all had hoped that, 'wow, now William's finally gotta wake up. Losing a brother has to have him wake up from this terrible disease.' Unfortunately, it did not."

Levi: "I'm reminding myself now that there's plenty of time to fix things if I give it a full honest effort. I can't take things away that I've done in the past, but I can be better, I can change my ways and change myself and be a better person."

Jana: "Drug court was life changing to me. They have so many people and so much structure and the working on yourself and counselling and talking about things, intensive outpatient, was life-changing to me. The sharing and hearing other stories, it was the first time in my life I didn't feel alone and that saved my life."

Tristen: "There are people who are dying for the seats that you're in right now and if you're not here to take this seriously then why are you here. That still gives me the chills every time I think about it. It made me really want to see if I could do this and that is when I fully committed myself to rehab and to better life."