During a recent government meeting, the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office presented a proposal for the implementation of the ARROW program at the county's Detention Center, aimed at addressing the pressing issue of opioid addiction among incarcerated individuals. The program, which stands for Addiction Response and Rediscovering One's Worth, seeks to utilize opioid settlement funds to support its operations, including the hiring of two positions dedicated to treatment interventions.

The ARROW program is designed to provide evidence-based treatment services for individuals suffering from substance abuse and mental health disorders related to opioid use. The initiative aims to reduce recidivism rates and enhance public safety by offering recovery support services to inmates, thereby improving their overall well-being.

Akisha Alston, a licensed clinician involved in the program, highlighted the critical need for such services, noting that drug overdoses are the leading cause of death among recently incarcerated individuals, who are ten times more likely to overdose than the general population. Since 2019, Brunswick County has recorded 668 overdose incidents, with 47 fatalities, underscoring the urgency of addressing this public health crisis.

The ARROW program is intended to operate over a 90-day period, allowing participants to engage voluntarily or through informal referrals from various sources, including attorneys and probation officers. This initiative aims to fill a gap in existing services, particularly for individuals awaiting resolution of their criminal cases, and is part of a broader strategy to combat the opioid epidemic in the region. The Sheriff's Office is seeking the Board of Commissioners' approval to move forward with this vital program, which promises to make a significant impact on the lives of many families affected by addiction in Brunswick County.