US Attorney Dena J. King, Debbie Dalton of Cornelius
March 28. US Attorney Dena J. King joined NC Attorney General Josh Stein, local law enforcement officials and other partners to raise awareness about the fentanyl epidemic.
Speaking at a press conference, King said that federal prosecutors are focusing on dismantling large trafficking organizations responsible for supplying the bulk of fentanyl distributed in the Western District of North Carolina.
Background
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin and remains the deadliest drug threat in the United States.
Debbie Dalton, founder of Cornelius-based Hunter Dalton HD Life Foundation, attended the press conference. She and her husband Randy lost their son to an accidental overdose.
Laboratory testing indicates seven out of 10 pills seized by Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) contain a lethal dose of fentanyl. According to the DEA, in 2023, the agency seized more than 79.5 million fentanyl-laced fake pills and nearly 12,000 pounds of fentanyl powder—enough to kill every American across the country.
Help available
King said families should not have to face this crisis alone.
“Together, we will fight against this epidemic to free our communities from its deadly grip and make funding available to support vital prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts,” King said.
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