In the past 24 hours, there has been a significant rise in opiate overdoses in Buncombe County, particularly in the 28806 zip code.
We strongly encourage the community and partners to:
- Distribute the opioid reversal drug Naloxone.
- Promote harm reduction resources.
- Recommend fentanyl test strips for all substances.
Our priority is community safety. Community Paramedics are responding to this situation on the ground, working closely with Buncombe County partners to help prevent further overdoses by providing services and sharing public notifications like this one. Local harm reduction resources offer essential, life-saving services and support for individuals who are actively using, in recovery, or considering starting recovery.
Local Harm Reduction Resources
Western North Carolina AIDS Project (WNCAP)
WNCAP provides safer injection supplies, overdose reversal kits, testing, care connections, and community navigation through its harm reduction program.
- Address: 554 Fairview Rd., Asheville, NC 28803
- Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Phone: (828) 252-7489
Buncombe County Health and Human Services (BCHHS)
BCHHS offers syringe services, connections to care, STD/STI testing, and rapid Hep C and HIV testing and treatment. Delivery is available for established participants.
- Address: 40 Coxe Ave., Asheville, NC 28801
- Hours: Monday-Friday, Noon – 4 p.m.
Steady Collective
Steady Collective offers syringe access and disposal, overdose prevention resources, care referrals, and harm reduction education.
- East Asheville: Tuesday, Noon – 1:30 p.m., 201 Tunnel Road #100, Asheville, NC 28805
- Downtown Asheville: Wednesday, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., 271 Haywood Street, Asheville, NC 28801
- West Asheville: Friday, 2 p.m. – 5 p.m., 12 New Jersey Avenue, Asheville, NC 28806
Holler Harm Reduction
Holler Harm Reduction provides harm reduction supplies and overdose prevention materials. Supplies delivery is available by calling or texting (828) 290-9066.
Service Areas: Madison County, North Buncombe, and Leicester
Additional Resources
Alerts: Text "START" to 828-33-ALERT (828-332-5378) to receive free, encrypted, anonymous alerts about contamination in drug supplies in Buncombe County.
Post-Overdose Response: If you or a loved one has experienced an overdose, call (828) 772-1294 to connect with the Buncombe County Post-Overdose Response Team.
Western North Carolina Listening Line: A non-crisis line serving WNC communities, available 8 a.m. – 11 p.m. at (828) 547-4547.
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call, text, or chat at 988 or visit 988lifeline.org for free, confidential support and resource connections for mental health, emotional distress, and substance use concerns.
Peer Support Specialists: Call 1-855-PEERS NC (855-733-7762) 24/7 for non-clinical support from individuals with lived experience in recovery from mental illness or substance use disorder.