Title
Receive a Presentation and Adopt a Resolution to direct the expenditure of $364,500 in opioid settlement funds to support the following strategies: 1. Collaborative Strategic Planning 2. Evidence-Based Addiction treatment 3. Recovery Support Services 4. Early Intervention 5. Naloxone Distribution
Abstract
Introduction & Background: In July 2021, North Carolina announced a $26 billion agreement with pharmaceutical distributors of opioids to bring resources to communities harmed by the opioid epidemic. The agreement resolves litigation over the role of four companies in creating and fueling the opioid epidemic. Beginning in 2022 and ending in 2038, Chatham County will receive a total of $2.9 million in funding from this settlement. A second settlement provides an additional $2.33 million in funding to Chatham County through 2035. Both settlements combined average approximately $293,000 per year from 2022-2038. The Chatham County Board of Commissioners previously voted in March 2023 and November 2023 to adopt resolutions to direct the expenditure of opioid settlement dollars toward strategies recommended by the Sheriff's Prevention Partnership on Controlled Substances. This funding authorization expires March 31, 2024.
In addition to providing a presentation outlining progress on existing opioid overdose abatement strategies, this includes a request to authorize expending up to $364,500 of these settlement funds to support five strategies through June 2025.
Discussion & Analysis:
Funding for the Collaborative Strategic Planning strategy ($139,500) will be used to support the Opioid Overdose Prevention Coordinator role at the Chatham County Public Health Department, meeting, and other operational expenses. This role coordinates county-wide overdose prevention efforts and facilitates the Sheriff's Prevention Partnership on Controlled Substances. The partnership is a county-wide collaborative that focuses on strategic planning to "address opioid misuse, a...
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