During a recent government meeting, Nash County Assistant Manager Tia Fuller presented a comprehensive summary of community conversations held regarding the allocation of funds from the opioid settlement. The discussions, which took place from May to August 2024, aimed to gather public input on addressing the opioid epidemic that has significantly impacted the community.

Fuller explained that North Carolina is set to receive $1.5 billion from the National Opioid Settlement, with Nash County allocated approximately $9.8 million over 18 years. Currently, the county has $2.46 million in its account, with plans to spend an average of $703,461 annually until 2038. The memorandum of agreement stipulates that local governments must engage with their communities to ensure that funding decisions are sustainable and impactful.

Over 200 community members participated in the conversations, which included local leaders, law enforcement, and individuals with lived experience of substance use. Key challenges identified during these discussions included limited access to treatment facilities, lack of insurance coverage, transportation barriers, insufficient collaboration among support organizations, stigma surrounding substance use, and complex treatment navigation systems.

In response to these challenges, community members provided several recommendations, categorized into four main areas: education and stigma reduction, treatment and support, navigation and access to care, and overdose prevention and justice system reform. Suggested strategies included expanding naloxone distribution, enhancing recovery support services, creating a centralized resource hub, and implementing alternatives to incarceration.

Fuller emphasized the importance of ongoing community engagement and announced plans to establish an opioid settlement advisory council. This council will include individuals with lived experience, public health practitioners, and treatment providers to ensure that the allocation of funds reflects the community's needs.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue the conversation and develop a coordinated response to the opioid crisis, recognizing that the challenges extend beyond the available settlement funds. The collaborative effort aims to build a resilient community capable of effectively addressing substance use issues in Nash County.