Bladen County health officials report rise in fentanyl deaths, outline CHIP priorities

County public-health officials presented a 2024 community health assessment and a Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) to the Bladen County Board of Commissioners, describing targeted initiatives to address access to care, behavioral health and substance misuse, and physical activity and nutrition.

The presenter, a health department official, told commissioners the county identified heart disease, cancer and respiratory disease as the leading causes of death and said, “I'm sad to report that in 2025, we had 10 fentanyl related deaths in Bladen County. That's compared to 5 the previous year, January to December 2024.” The official described outreach efforts that include a recovery-resources web tool (referred to in the presentation as Recovery Bladen) and local 988 suicide-hotline linkage resources.

Officials said the CHIP will track a set of measurable initiatives, including a diabetes self-management education program being developed with Cape Fear Valley, community CPR and hands-on training in partnership with area hospitals, and renewed campaigns with the American Heart Association. The presenter said the CHIP uses a red/yellow/green tracking framework; overdoses and some indicators remain in the red and will be monitored quarterly.

Commissioners asked about funding sources for behavioral-health programs and how opioid-settlement funds will be used; staff said those items will be included in the strategic plan and noted peer-support specialists have already been placed in area emergency departments. The health presentation packet and a public copy of the assessment are available on the county website and in local libraries, the presenter said.

Looking ahead, the health official said the CHIP will be revisited regularly and asked commissioners to support public-awareness campaigns and community partnerships to reduce substance-misuse deaths and expand access to diabetes education services.