Health division recommends extending opioid-settlement spending, funding positions and new education specialist

Alamance County’s behavioral-health division presented its annual opioid-settlement recommendations, urging the board to extend current spending resolutions and continue funding several positions tied to the county’s opioid-response strategy.

Ashley Barber, behavioral-health division director, said the county has received about $6.5 million in payments and interest so far and that the county is expected to receive about $16.6 million between 2022 and 2039 (the figure is subject to ongoing litigation). As of Dec. 31, available funds totaled approximately $3.4 million after previously authorized expenditures.

Barber recommended two actions: first, extend existing resolutions authorizing expenditures (resolutions 1–3) through June 30, 2027 so organizations can complete projects without additional appropriations; second, continue funding county positions under resolution 4 (including a human‑services planner/evaluator, a peer‑support specialist and a recovery‑court coordinator) and approve one new position — a substance‑abuse education specialist — to connect people in detention with treatment resources.

Barber noted past program impacts: peer support and case‑management staff connected 134 people to treatment last year (opioid users) and 108 this year so far. She said some projects were delayed by hiring and onboarding, and recommended extending deadlines rather than increasing award amounts.

Board members asked about data, jail continuation of medication‑assisted treatment and program durability if settlement funds end; Barber said staff will follow up with the sheriff’s office on jail procedures and emphasized that settlement-funded positions would need other funding if settlement dollars cease.

The presentation will be followed by resolution drafts for the board’s budget review in June.