RALEIGH, (SGRToday.com) - North Carolina is one of 16 states that are in line for a major grant to fight the growing problem of overdoses from prescription opiodes. Nearly $1 million -- $939,000 -- has been awarded to the state by the Centers for Disease Control.

According to the state's Health and Human Services department, the grant will support:

-- Prescription drug monitoring programs
Improvements to opioid prescribing practices

-- Prevention efforts at the state and community level

-- "Rapid response projects" to address new and emerging problems related to prescription drug overdose

In 2014, North Carolina had over 1,000 overdose deaths, according to Dr. Ruth Petersen of the Division of Public Health. Most of those, she said in a statement, were "driven by prescription opioid medications and increased heroin use."