Horry County OKs application to South Carolina Opioid Recovery Fund to continue local treatment and harm-reduction programs

Horry County Council on Sept. 23 approved a resolution authorizing the county to apply for and accept grants from the South Carolina Opioid Recovery Fund for calendar year 2026 to continue and expand recovery-related services.

Speaker 8 told the council the consolidated application would fund multiple existing programs, including JRL recovery programs, Next Step for female inmates (complementing an earlier male-inmate program), treatment-court expansion and wraparound services for the solicitor's office, crisis-intervention team support for law enforcement, harm-reduction work and fire-rescue activities. "This application is going to support our ongoing efforts… and so this application is going to support our ongoing efforts at JRL and their recovery programs," Speaker 8 said.

Speaker 8 presented an amended allocation for guaranteed political-subdivision subfunds: $277,743.86 for the city of Conway and $610,833 for the city of North Myrtle Beach. When asked by Speaker 3 whether the services are provided to all municipalities, Speaker 8 said the guaranteed subfunds apply to only a subset of jurisdictions; with the exception of Myrtle Beach (which has its own program), four jurisdictions within Horry County are expected to receive the funds.

The council approved the resolution, including the amendment, by voice vote. The resolution directs county staff to accept and appropriate opioid-settlement funds if awarded for calendar year 2026.