County allocates $75,000 in opioid settlement funds to local prevention and treatment programs

The County Commission voted to allocate $75,000 in opioid settlement funds at the meeting. The mayor recommended $50,000 for Hartsville Hope and Healing and $25,000 for Haven House Rehabilitation Center; commissioners approved the recommendation by roll call.

The money comes from opioid settlements the county has received over the past two years and — according to the mayor and staff — an estimated $65,000 of those settlements must be spent by the end of February 2025. The allocations move funds from reserves into alcohol- and drug-program expense accounts and require recipients to report back to the county on how the money is used.

Mayor McCall said he reviewed other proposals and declined an out-of-area $30,000 request intended for a Burns facility, noting a preference for locally based programs. He also described the mayor’s role in making a timely designation because of the narrow spending window.

A representative who spoke for Haven House described local outcomes from residential treatment programs and urged support. “They bring fruits and I see it in their participants,” the speaker said when asked to describe results from treatment programs.

Commissioners asked whether the recipients would report on program activity; county staff said the grantees must provide timely reports to meet grant conditions. The motion to approve the two allocations was made by Commissioner Leslie Overman and seconded by Commissioner Chris Gregory; the roll-call vote was recorded as 19 in favor, none opposed.

The packet also listed other budget amendments addressed in the work session; those were approved in a single motion as part of the evening’s budget business. The mayor and staff noted additional opioid settlement funds could become available later for other local needs.