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Durham approves SAMHSA grant amendment funding naloxone distribution; public raises homelessness concerns
Summary
The board unanimously approved a budget amendment to accept year‑four SAMHSA funds for EMS overdose response and community paramedic work; public commenter urged more action on street homelessness and fires, and EMS staff said the funds support naloxone distribution and field treatment with HEART referrals.
Durham County commissioners voted Dec. 8 to approve a budget ordinance amendment recognizing year‑four funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) under the First Responders Comprehensive Addiction Recovery Act.
County staff said the award supports EMS programs that distribute naloxone, start treatment for opioid use disorder in the field, and connect people to community services through the county’s community paramedic program. Helen Ladd, who manages the county’s community paramedic/EMS programs, told the board that EMS recently put over 3,000 naloxone kits into the community over the past year and that the program coordinates closely with the city’s HEART program (which focuses on mental health outreach).
During public comment, Victoria (Miss) Peterson described a visible street‑homelessness crisis near Fayetteville and Umstead streets, cited fires on private property and asked whether grant dollars would support local outreach and HEART’s efforts. Commissioners and staff responded that SAMHSA funds are restricted to the described opioid response programs but that EMS and HEART coordinate referrals and complementary services.
The board approved the budget amendment and authorized the county manager to sign related grant documents. Commissioners said they will continue to monitor program outcomes and coordination with other local outreach efforts.
What happens next: EMS will continue naloxone distribution and field‑initiation of services under the SAMHSA grant; staff said they will provide additional details requested by the public about program partnerships and how outreach ties to HEART and other services.
