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Opioid settlement committee outlines programs, early outcomes for Anson County
Summary
Teresa Cochran and a member of the county opioid funding committee presented the 2025 annual report listing programs funded by opioid settlement money, immediate service activity (20 children treated at Tri County CAC; 12 people helped through a jail diversion CAP partnership) and next steps including contract finalization and a countywide awareness campaign.
Teresa Cochran, speaking for the county's opioid funding committee, gave the board a 2025 annual update on planning, allocations and implementation of programs funded through the opioid settlement agreement. The committee has met 10 times this year and has prioritized earlier intervention, treatment and recovery support, harm reduction, prevention and education.
Cochran cited partners and programs the committee has funded, including the Tri County Child Advocacy Center, which she said "has treated 20 children from Anson County" since January. She described community ministries that operate a referral center connecting residents to substance-use-disorder resources and a jail-based overdose-prevention education and Narcan distribution program. The committee also supports a CAP program in partnership with the county DA that Cochran said "has worked with 12 individuals to date to get them into treatment, saving the county $372,000 overall for this year."
A committee representative shared a success story of an Anson County resident who completed treatment and later moved into recovery housing financed by settlement funds; that person is now employed at the treatment provider and pursuing counseling education. The committee emphasized the start of recovery housing support and jail-based services as key program elements. Cochran said, "This is more than a financial report. It's a road map to healing."
Presenters acknowledged ongoing challenges, including clinician shortages and transportation barriers for rural residents, and said sustainability after settlement funds are exhausted is a concern. The committee's next steps include finalizing remaining contracts, launching a countywide awareness campaign about available services, and continuing quarterly partner coordination to ensure transparency and accountability.
The board thanked the presenters and had no further comments isolated to the opioid report.
The board moved on to other agenda items.
