The Town of James Island voted unanimously to support a plan to work with Wake Up Carolina to seek opioid settlement funds and launch local overdose‑prevention and recovery initiatives.

The council passed a resolution authorizing town staff to partner with Wake Up Carolina and submit the required application materials. The town’s available allocation was identified in the meeting as $79,156.07.

Wake Up Carolina Executive Director Nancy Steadman Shipman told council the organization proposed three linked projects: a stocked Narcan (naloxone) “barrel box” on town property to be refilled monthly; monthly one‑hour community Narcan training sessions run with Charleston County partners and Charleston Center; and a TideTurners surf‑based recovery program plus a part‑time community partnership coordinator to serve as liaison between Wake Up Carolina, the town and local partners. Shipman said the Narcan supplies would cover the barrel box for 12 months.

Council members asked for financial and program details before final rollout. Town staff and Wake Up Carolina said the settlement funds (distributed under the state SCORF program) require use for abatement strategies and that grant administration and reporting are part of the application. Town Clerk Frances Simmons and others handling the application said paperwork was nearly complete; speakers stated funds could be available by mid‑December once submitted.

The resolution passed by roll call vote with all council members present voting in favor.

Wake Up Carolina said it will coordinate with the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office and Charleston Center for trainings and distribution, and that the proposed programs would be offered free to the public.

The council’s action authorizes staff to finalize and submit the application and to accept and manage awarded funds in accordance with SCORF rules.