Counties are on the frontline of the opioid epidemic, providing public services that save lives and support recovery. 911 call centers and county-run crisis lines are the first to receive calls for help when someone overdoses. First responders, and increasingly mental health clinicians, are the first to arrive on the scene to stabilize the crisis and offer support. Local crisis triage centers serve as safe places before, during and after a behavioral health crisis to access services, treatment and immediate and ongoing care.
 
In July 2021, a bipartisan coalition of state attorneys general announced the National Opioid Settlement – a historic $26 billion agreement that will bring much needed help to communities harmed by the opioid epidemic. The funds can only be used to address the opioid epidemic and support treatment, recovery, harm reduction, and other life-saving programs and services.

Additionally, the agreement resolves litigation over the role of four companies in creating and fueling the opioid epidemic. The agreement also requires significant industry changes that will help prevent this type of crisis from ever happening again. 

The State of North Carolina and all 100 counties, including Durham County, joined the agreement. A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the State and local government directs how opioid settlement funds are distributed and used throughout our state. To maximize funds flowing to North Carolina communities on the front lines of the opioid epidemic, the MOA allocates 15 percent of settlement funds to the State and sends the remaining 85 percent to NC’s 100 counties and 17 municipalities. Durham County is expected to receive nearly $11.6 million over an 18-year period. 

Click here to learn about the Payment Schedule at: https://ncopioidsettlement.org/data-dashboards/payment-schedule/ 

Before spending settlement funds every county must first select which opioid mitigation strategies they would like to fund. Durham County Board of Commissioners are hard at work planning how best to invest the settlement funds and will use tools such as a community survey and listening sessions to receive citizen input before making decisions.

Annual Community Meeting on Opioid Settlement Funds

On Monday, June 24, Durham County will host the Annual Community Meeting on Opioid Settlement Funds. The upcoming session will serve as a follow up to the 2023 input session and online survey and provide an update on what Durham County has done since. The meeing will be held in the Durham Commissioners Chambers, at 200 E. Main St, 2^nd floor, Durham, from 5-6:30p.m.

Learn more about the North Carolina Opioid Settlement (Home - North Carolina Opioid Settlements (ncopioidsettlement.org) and (Opioid Settlements - More Powerful NC)

Learn more about Opioids and the Impact on Communities Get the Facts - More Powerful NC

If you or someone you know is struggling with opioid addiction, please seek help by visiting allianceforaction.org or calling Alliance Health at 800-510-9132.