Three ENC counties part of group getting funds to practice youth alcohol, tobacco, drug use prevention

RALEIGH — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced the distribution of $6,250,000 to seven counties to provide youth substance use prevention within their communities. NCDHHS applied for and was awarded the funding through the U. S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, as part of its National Drug Control Strategy. North Carolina was one of only 12 states to receive funding for its efforts to invest in behavioral health care prevention.

“Prevention and early intervention are important, especially for our young people,” said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley. “With more than 62,000 youth struggling with substance use in our state, there is an urgent need for services that prevent those at risk from reaching a point of crisis. The department is committed to transforming the behavioral health system to ensure all North Carolinians have access to the right care at the right time for the best outcome.”

“We are grateful to our federal partners for investing in North Carolina’s children and youth,” said Kelly Crosbie, Director of the NCDHHS Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services. “The majority of substance use issues start earlier in life, which is why early intervention is critical. By getting children the support they deserve and need, we are investing in a brighter future for them, their families and our communities.”

More than 1.2 million people in North Carolina have a substance use disorder, and increasing access to prevention, treatment and recovery services is crucial. North Carolina counties receiving this award experience high levels of economic distress, have a higher-than-average level of substance use among youth and young adults and have a higher number of youths who primarily identify as a racial or ethnic minority. The counties and organizations selected are:

• Duplin County – NC Cooperative Extension 4-H
• Halifax County – Insight Human Services
• Hoke County – Tia Hart Community Recovery Program
• Martin County – Martin Tyrrell Washington District Health Department
• Robeson County – Robeson Health Care Corporation
• Tyrrell County – Martin Tyrrell Washington District Health Department
• Washington County – Martin Tyrrell Washington District Health Department

NCDHHS is assisting these organizations in implementing strategies to enhance protective factors and reduce risk factors for substance misuse. Goals of the programs include reducing the progression of high-risk drinking behaviors and/or underage alcohol use, reducing prescription medication misuse, reducing cannabis product use, and reducing negative consequences related to substance misuse among youth and young adults ages 12-25.

NCDHHS is continuing its partnership with Addiction Professionals of North Carolina (APNC) to provide training and technical assistance support for all awarded subrecipients. Wake Forest School of Medicine and the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation are providing evaluation support services for these communities.

In addition to this funding announcement, NCDHHS is using the historic $835 million investment in behavioral health from the NC General Assembly to transform behavioral health care in North Carolina. This includes more resources and care options for children and families, building a behavioral health crisis system, and providing more services to improve outcomes for people with behavioral health conditions involved in the justice system.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis right now, help is available to anyone, anytime. Call or text 988 or chat at 988Lifeline.org . People who speak Spanish can now connect directly to Spanish-speaking crisis counselors by calling 988 and pressing option 2, texting “AYUDA” to 988, or chatting online at 988lineadevida.org or 988Lifeline.org . For additional support, call the NCDHHS Peer Warmline at 1-855-PEERS NC (855-733-7762) to speak with a peer support specialist, someone who understands.

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