County outlines opioid‑settlement spending, schedules public funding meeting
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Summary
McDowell County staff detailed allocations from opioid‑settlement proceeds — including grants to peer‑support and recovery organizations — and announced a public settlement‑funding meeting next Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Emergency Services Headquarters.
County staff briefed the board on how McDowell County has used funds received under the multi‑jurisdiction opioid litigation settlement and listed recent grants and contracts.
Staff said the county participated in litigation against opioid distributors and entered MOAs to receive settlement funds. Those funds must be spent on programs to reduce addiction and support recovery. Recent awards and contracts the county approved include: Care Net ($18,007.50) for counseling; CareReach ($50,000) for peer support; High Country Community Health ($50,000) for substance‑abuse outreach; the police department ($50,000) for peer support in partnership with CareReach; Mission Ministries Alliance ($50,000) for recovery‑housing support; McDonough Partnership (a little over $16,000) for recovery development; and a small award to NPSA (a little over $1,000) to expand peer supports through Western North Carolina Community Health Services. Internally, the county budgeted $110,000 for a substance‑use‑disorder response coordinator and has procured Narcan for distribution and use by EMS.
Staff emphasized that allocations are one‑year contracts that run through June 30 of the contract period, and that agencies return quarterly reports on activities. The county also follows MOA and settlement guidelines and receives oversight and technical review input from agencies such as the Department of Justice and the School of Government to ensure compliance.
Staff announced a public meeting and presentation of settlement funding details next Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Emergency Services Headquarters; the board and community were invited to attend and provide input on future funding priorities.
