Local officials seek guidance on opioid funds

The funds from a federal opioid settlement are finding their way into local communities in North Carolina. Nash County is due to receive $9.8 million over 18 years to address the harm created by opioid addiction. Officials here have two more community meetings planned to get feedback on what needs to be done locally to combat opioid addiction.

The community feedback gathered from these conversations will be an integral part of creating a Nash County Opioid Action Plan, according to Tia Foula, assistant county manager and the county's opioid settlement manager.

"We recognize that opioids have impacted every county in North Carolina, but each county is unique. We want our plan to address the specific needs of Nash County citizens," Foula said. "We want to hear from our residents about how best to utilize these funds to address the opioid crisis in our community."

As part of that effort, the county has been holding forum-style meetings to ensure that the distribution of funds is transparent and meets the needs of those most affected by this crisis, Foula noted.

The next forum, dubbed Nash County Opioid Settlement: Community Conversation, will be held from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Bailey Town Hall, located at 6217 Main St., Bailey. The final forum on the schedule is planned for 6-8 p.m. Aug. 22 at the South Rocky Mount Community Center, located at 710 Recreation Drive. Three meetings on this issue were held earlier in the year.

Nash County Director of Communication Jonathan Edwards said the upcoming meetings 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.

Edwards said at previous meetings area residents spoke candidly about their experiences with opioid addiction.

In a survey for Nash County residents planning to attend the meetings, the questionnaire addresses treatment techniques and asks the 12 plans to be ranked as most to least important. Those plans include collaborative strategic planning, addiction treatment for the incarcerated, residential support for those seeking treatment, addressing the recovery needs of post-overdose patients, the distribution of Naloxone — a life-saving medicine which treats opioid overdoses — and early intervention, a program targeting children and teens with problematic drug use or mental health issues.

The survey also seeks those with interest in becoming a peer support specialist or a recovery coach to identify themselves.

According to the Community Opioid Resources Engine for North Carolina, the state will receive $1.5 billion from a series of national opioid settlements totaling $56 billion — funds that will help bring desperately needed relief to communities affected by opioids.

A link to register for the upcoming meetings in Nash County and to complete a survey can be found at nashcountync.gov/788/Opioid-Settlement-Funds-Resources.