Gastonia Police Attempt to Prevent Drug Overdose as Tolls Climb-up, Gastonia, North Carolina

Gastonia Police Attempt to Prevent Drug Overdose as Tolls Climb-up, Gastonia, North Carolina
As the number of drug overdoses continues to rise in Gastonia, North Carolina, police are attempting to curtail the occurrences.

Through June 16 of this year, 101 calls have already been made.

GASTONIA, North Carolina (WBTV) – As the number of drug overdoses continues to increase, Gastonia and Gaston County have a reason for alarm.

“Officers are pretty much turning it (drugs) in daily in our property room that they’re seizing off people they’re arresting,” said Sgt. John Terry.

Overdoses Continue to Rise in Gastonia, North Carolina,

Along with the Gaston County Police Department, the Gaston State Police Command, the Gaston Fire Dept, Gaston Emergency Medical Services, and the Gaston County District Attorney’s Office, the Gaston Police Department recently launched a campaign to combat drug-related overdoses and deaths.

Police have found that fentanyl coupled with other substances, such as cocaine, is the cause of the surge.

“We’ve seen it from the higher-end neighborhoods to the lower-end, economic basis,” Terry said.

In 2020, the Gastonia police got 49 reports about overdoses. Twenty of these were fatal. Last year, there were 83 calls, 20 of which were fatal.

Through June 16 of this year, 101 calls have already been made. 15 of them resulted in a fatality.

According to the police, individuals frequently purchase and use substances because it is not what they appear to be.

“We’re seeing a lot of, for instance, like there was a little blue pill, it was Oxycontin. It had 10 milligrams of Oxycontin, when we would send those off to the lab, they were coming back 100 percent fentanyl,” Terry said.

Terry explains that the amount of overdoses affects the emotional health of police.

“It does take a toll on you. You just have to learn as an officer how to separate work from your personal life,” he said.

As overdoses continue to rise in Gastonia, North Carolina, Vanderburgh House joins the Gastonia community with one objective in mind: to provide secure and stable recovery-based housing for persons seeking unique experiences throughout their recovery journey. All of our houses in North Carolina are managed by compassionate House Managers whose primary objective is to assist our clients in achieving a life free of drugs and alcohol. 

As a member of our sober living Operator cooperation, Vanderburgh Communities gives Charters to Operators who want to manage their sober living facility in conjunction with us. If you believe you have what it takes to open your own sober house and help the people around your community lead a stable and sober life, now is your chance! We advise you to visit our website and give us a call to learn more about this fantastic chance to help your community.

Do you feel overwhelmed with searching for a good home to start your recovery journey? Well, our Sober House Directory,  is a recovery resource for anybody seeking a sober house anywhere in the United States. Well-detailed and easy to navigate, one may quickly choose what suits them best, especially if any of our Vanderburgh homes are not yet in your area.

Read more on Shaundrika Rutherford opens Sober Living Home in Gastonia, North Carolina