Opioid

N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein addresses county leaders and personnel at the Graham County Community Building on April 28. Stein made the trip to Robbinsville to discuss the recent opioid settlement, as well as discuss the local impact of the crisis. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein addresses county leaders and personnel at the Graham County Community Building on April 28. Stein made the trip to Robbinsville to discuss the recent opioid settlement, as well as discuss the local impact of the crisis. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Good news, bad problem

Robbinsville – N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein visited Robbinsville on April 28, formally announcing terms of an opioid settlement with the pharmaceutical industry in a county among the worst in the state affected by illegal narcotics.
Graham County is a hotbed of Hepatitis C Transmission, as indicated by this 2017 map showing how areas around the state are affected. Map courtesy of N.C. Electronic Disease Surveilliance System.

Graham County is a hotbed of Hepatitis C Transmission, as indicated by this 2017 map showing how areas around the state are affected. Map courtesy of N.C. Electronic Disease Surveilliance System.

Twin plagues

Over 3.5 million Americans are infected with Hepatitis C. Of those affected, more than half of those are unaware of their infection. From 2011 to 2016, Graham County’s Hepatitis C infection rate tripled.

Western Carolina to host town hall on opioid crisis

By Bill Studenc WCU Chief Communications Officer Cullowhee – Western Carolina University will host a town hall Thursday, Oct. 3, featuring a series of discussions and sessions focused on the national opioid and addiction crisis and on identifying potential solutions.