Community forum on opioid settlement is Thursday

Nash County will hold a community forum from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the Drake Community Center in Battleboro to gather input from residents on proposed uses for the county’s share of national opioid settlement funds.

“Nash County Opioid Settlement: A Community Conversation,” will provide an opportunity for community members and local leaders to share their thoughts and ideas on how the county should address the harm caused by the opioid crisis. These conversations aim to hear directly from those affected by the opioid crisis through their own lived experience or that of someone close to them.

“We recognize that opioids have impacted every county in North Carolina, but each county is unique,” said Tia Foula, assistant county manager and Nash’s opioid settlement manager. “We want our plan to address the specific needs of Nash County citizens. We want to hear from our residents about how best to utilize these funds to address the opioid crisis in our community. These forums are an important step in ensuring that the distribution of funds is transparent and meets the needs of those most impacted by this crisis.”

The community feedback gathered from these conversations will help organizers compile a Nash County Opioid Action Plan. As part of the national opioid settlement, the county is set to receive about $9.8 million over an 18-year period.

The Drake Community Center is located at 5251 Drake Road, Battleboro. Additional community forums will take place from 6-8 p.m. on Thursdays at the following locations:

• July 11 — Nash County Agricultural Center, 1006 Eastern Ave, Nashville

• July 25 — Bailey Town Hall, 6217 Main St., Bailey

• Aug. 22 — South Rocky Mount Community Center, 710 Recreation Drive, Rocky Mount

All community members are encouraged to attend, especially those directly affected by opioid use and overdose. Their insights and experiences will help shape the county’s response to the opioid crisis.

For more information about North Carolina’s opioid settlements, visit www.ncopioidsettlement.org .

Attendees are encouraged to register in advance by visiting the Nash County website and following links to the “Opioid Settlement and Resources” page. For more information, contact Tia Foula at Tia.Foula@nashcountync.gov .

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