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Burke County reports fewer overdose deaths and expands Bear team, Recovery Court and MAT services
Summary
County officials reported a decline in verified overdose fatalities (50 in 2024) and described expansions of the Bear team, low-barrier MAT, Recovery Court and family-centered services; staff said 2025 911 calls identified 370 suspected overdoses and that program retention and treatment referrals are increasing.
Katie Samuels of the county manager's office briefed commissioners on Burke County's opioid-response investments and operational progress, citing early signs of improved outcomes and expanded service delivery.
Samuels said the county recorded 50 verified overdose fatalities in 2024 (down from 60 the prior year). She reported that in calendar-year 2025 the 911 system logged roughly 370 suspected overdose calls; following response and verification, 93 of those calls were confirmed overdoses in the same reporting period. Samuels also reported a decrease in emergency-department overdose visits compared with prior years.
The county has funded nine active programs, several of which are now fully operational: a Bear team and community navigator (mobile outreach and follow-up), Burke County Recovery Court (23 active participants, recent new intakes and about 50% employment rate at graduation), High Country Community Health's low-barrier MAT program (51 participants to date with field inductions and early retention at 30 and 90 days), SPARC family-centered treatment for parents and children, and A Caring Alternative (outpatient services preparing full credentialing).
Samuels said the Bear team has rapidly increased response volume over recent weeks, that the county is implementing case-management software (Goldie) to track long-term outcomes, and that staff estimate $400,000'$550,000 per year may be available for additional strategic investments while maintaining a funding floor. Commissioners voted to accept the report and thanked staff and community partners for implementation work.
