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Board approves $1.56 million in opioid-settlement spending for treatment, naloxone and outreach
Summary
The board authorized $1,557,283 in opioid settlement spending for seven strategies including medication‑assisted treatment partnerships, naloxone distribution, a post‑overdose response team and an RFP for community providers.
The Johnston County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution authorizing $1,557,283 in opioid‑settlement funds for a set of behavioral‑health strategies, county officials said.
Dr. Marilyn Pearson, the county health director, told the board Johnston County receives opioid settlement funds through a memorandum of agreement with the state. Initial distributions began in 2022; Dr. Pearson said settlements are expected to be disbursed to counties over an 18‑year period and that, with recent additions, the county expects to receive a larger total share over time.
Approved strategies and process
The board approved funding for seven strategies Dr. Pearson described: collaborative strategic planning (an opioid coordinator and task force), evidence‑based addiction treatment (including medication for opioid use disorder in partnership with Commonwealth Health and a post‑overdose response team), recovery support services (peer specialist training), early intervention (youth and adult mental health first aid and overdose awareness events), naloxone distribution and training, a post‑overdose response program with community paramedics, and a $450,000 request‑for‑proposals (RFP) pool for community‑based overdose services.
Dr. Pearson said the board will see a separate resolution later if the RFP pool requires specific vendor approvals. Kamita Fullwood (population health officer), Leonarda Williamson (opioid grant coordinator), and Steve Strickland (assistant health director/finance officer) were present to answer technical questions.
Ending
Commissioners approved the resolution by voice vote. Staff said naloxone (Narcan) is distributed at the health department with training and that the county has supplied Naloxone in some schools.
