Burke County advisory committee launches, directs staff to develop naloxone, peer-navigation and post-overdose response models

Burke County’s newly convened Opioid Advisory Committee met in June to adopt bylaws, elect officers and set substantive priorities for spending opioid settlement funds, directing staff to return in July with funding models for three near-term strategies: expanded naloxone distribution, peer navigation and a formal post‑overdose response team.

The committee voted to approve its agenda and bylaws, elected Jeff Britton chair, Katie Samuels as secretary and Dr. Frank as vice chair, and adopted a bimonthly meeting schedule starting in July on the third Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. County staff and advisory members then spent the bulk of the meeting reviewing data and possible short‑ and long‑term investments.

County Manager (name not specified) told the committee the county has about $25 million expected to flow over roughly 15 years from opioid settlement funds and that recent national settlements (Kroger and Purdue) are increasing the county’s allocation. “We’re talking close to $25,000,000 over the next 15 years,” the manager said, and framed the advisory board’s job as translating those dollars into measurable reductions in overdose deaths and stronger recovery pathways.

Dr. Katie Samuels, returning to lead the…