ROCKINGHAM — There were 26 fentanyl-positive deaths in Richmond County in 2024 for a rate of 60.8 per 100,000 — the highest of the state’s 100 counties — according to provisional information from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
The report, issued April 4, shows that nearby Anson, Scotland and Robeson counties are also among the top 10 counties with the highest death rates for that time period, as are Vance, Edgecombe, Burke, New Hanover, Gaston and Catawba.
There were 1,948 fentanyl-positive deaths across the state during the year. Records show 108 of those were in the month of December, which was a dramatic drop from 256 in December ‘23. The statewide death rate for the year was 18.2.
The highest number of such deaths in the two-year period was in May of 2023, with 345. Richmond County was a leader in fentanyl-involved death rates throughout the year.
Fewer than 20% of those who died had only fentanyl in their system throughout the year, according to OCME. Cocaine and methamphetamine were the most common other drugs detected in toxicology reports.
Records with the Richmond County Drug Endangered Family Task Force show 165 people were treated with naloxone by FirstHealth EMS in 2024, with 24 each in May and June. The number tapered off during the winter months.
It is not known if any individuals were treated more than once.
White men account for more than 50% of those treated, with the most (33) in the 30-40 age group. Statewide statistics are similar, with males making up around 70% of fentanyl-involved deaths.
Broken down by municipality, most of the patients treated had a Rockingham Zip code:
Records show there also one patient dosed in May in the Lilesville area and one in Marston for September.
It should be noted that these numbers do not reflect doses given by other first responders or individuals.
