Last May the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) received an initial update on the Opioid Settlement funds and process. A number of initial steps involved community input, which has served very useful. An online survey was developed and made available from December 7, 2022 through January 31, 2023. We received 554 responses. On March 20, 2023 a community input meeting was held at Durham County offices in which 68 community members attended. The community meeting was incredibly helpful as it was an interactive session to discuss gaps and strategies for funding. The three top strategies identified were (1) evidence-based addiction treatment, (2) evidence-based recovery support services and (3) recovery support housing.

As part of the May 2023 presentation, three items were identified as “time sensitive spending authorizations” and all have been presented to and approved by the BOCC.

1. Opioid Settlement Manager position
   This position will manage the day-to-day of opioid funds, community outreach and reporting. We are in the process of this recruitment.
2. Expand harm reduction efforts (through Durham County Public Health)
   This includes the hiring of a Public Health Harm Reduction Specialist, medical supplies for harm reduction (Narcan supplies to support DCo Public Health Pharmacy distribution, 3 vending machines and safer syringe program supplies for DCo Public Health Pharmacy and community distribution) and potential contracts for outreach by individual(s) with lived experience. We intend to carry this item forward into next year.
3. Community Linkages to Care (through Durham County Public Health)
   The CLC initiative will connect individuals who are struggling with substance use disorder (SUD) with comprehensive, evidence-based care, which acknowledges social determinants of health and responds to current housing challenges. The goals are to (1) reduce overdose hospital visits and fatalities in Durham County; (2) increase the number of naloxone opioid overdose reversal kits distributed to Durham County residents with SUD; and (3) engage key stakeholders across Durham County to help respond to the overdose crisis and address social determinants of health for individuals affected by SUD. We intend to carry this item forward into next year.

While the current spending plan will allow these funds to provide immediate help to our community, and these are great “quick wins”, we also are currently developing a long-term structure around this process.

 

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