Watch your ‘wine o’clock.’ Charlotte has increased in overdoses, drinking during COVID

News Observer ^ | 4/22/20 | Amanda Zhou

[Libloather]

Drug overdoses have increased in Charlotte, according to police, and addiction specialists say they’re concerned people are drinking too much alcohol and resorting to drugs while stuck at home.

Since March 26 - when Mecklenburg County began its stay-at-home order - CMPD has responded to 100 emergency calls about drug overdoses. That’s a 24% increase or around 20 additional calls compared to a similar time period last year, said CMPD spokesman Rob Tufano.

Out of the 100 calls, ten people died, he said.

Director of prevention and intervention at Anuvia, a substance abuse treatment center, Cindy Murphy said that resources and help is available. Prior to the pandemic, there had been a downward trend in overdoses, she said.

[Viking2002]

Hanging from the top of my china cabinet, directly above the wine rack, is this very towel, courtesy of Habersham Winery:

It was there before, it is there now, and it'll be there afterwards. I don't foresee any accidental deaths or overdoses due to it.

[Does so]

Made in China. Don’t buy it!