Story by Jasmine Baker
ANCHOR LEAD:
On March 10, 2023, University of North Carolina Freshman Elizabeth Grace Burton died from
fentanyl poisoning while in a dorm room at Duke University. Jasmine Baker tells us, according to the CDC, drug overdose is a leading cause of injury mortality in the United States and it
continues to rise.
TRACK:
In 2023, for the first time in the U.S., fatal overdoses claimed more than 112,000 lives, with
young people among the hardest hit.
Bella Grumet, a friend of Burton, now dedicates her time to spreading awareness of a miracle
drug that can reverse an overdose.
Bella Grumet, UNC Junior and Narcan Advocate
There were so many opportunities where both bystanders and some of the medical personnel
involved could have administered Naloxone and it could have saved her life. In her legacy, I
want to make sure that as many people as possible know what to do so that something like that is less likely to happen again.
NAT: And then you press the plunger down and then you’ve administered a dose of Naloxone.
Bella Grumet, UNC Junior and Narcan Advocate
A lot of people think that it’s not something that would happen to them or someone they know, or they wouldn’t ever be there. But there have been 3 student and alumni deaths in the past, I think, 18 months. So it is very much a present threat. People shouldn’t be scared but they should be prepared.
TRACK:
Due to the work of former UNC Panhellenic president Cameron Somerville, each sorority is now required to keep a supply of Naloxone in-house- with the fraternities following suit.
Cameron Somerville, Former UNC Panhellenic president
Coming to campus in December 2020, there were so many new articles about fraternities and
they called it a “large-scale drug ring.” It just made me think about the topic in itself a little bit
deeper. So I started doing my own research and that’s when I first discovered Naloxone. It
wouldn’t affect the average person- so if you give it to someone who’s not overdosing, nothing happens. So I started thinking, why is this not in a first aid kit? Or why is this not as readily available as a band-aid or cough syrup?
NAT: Opening of needle wrapping
Cameron Somerville, Former UNC Panhellenic president
That’s when I got the idea and then when I came into this role, I felt it was the perfect
opportunity to implement.
TRACK:
Carolina Harm Reduction Union is a student organization that distributes Naloxone, Fentanyl
testing strips, and education about drug overdoses.
Co-founder Caroline Clodfelter shares the importance of Harm Reduction.
Caroline Clodfelter, Carolina Harm Reduction Union Co-founder
How could her death not mean we need a change? How is it okay for us to just stay here and
say, “Let’s just keep telling people not to use.” Drug use in general is so stigmatized. Half of the United States- people have a loved one with a substance abuse disorder. Whether you know it or not, you’re one person removed.
It makes people more comfortable sharing their stories and that is such a big part of what we
do- is creating a safe space.
NAT: We kind of talk about it like an EpiPen. Like “Oh, just put it wherever you would put an EpiPen.”
Caroline Clodfelter, Carolina Harm Reduction Union Co-founder
I’d much rather have somebody alive the next day and feeling that support and the strength to
reach out. The strength to do something about it. You can’t get better if you’re not alive to do
that.
TRACK:
I’m Jasmine Baker reporting.
TAG:
The Carolina Harm Reduction Union has passed out over 1.460 doses of Naloxone and they
continue to spread drug awareness every day
TRT 2:55
