Racial and ethnic differences and COVID-19 pandemic-related changes in drug overdose deaths in North Carolina

Abstract Purpose: To examine racial and ethnic differences and COVID-19 pandemic-related changes in key characteristics of drug overdose deaths in North Carolina. Methods: We used North Carolina State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System data to describe specific drug-involvement, bystander presence, and naloxone administration for drug overdose deaths by race and ethnicity during pre-COVID-19 (May 2019–February 2020) and COVID-19 periods (March 2020–December 2020). Results: For all racial and ethnic groups, drug overdose death rates and the percentage with fentanyl and alcohol