NC to Get $150M to Boost Opioid Treatment, Recovery

Introduction

North Carolina will receive an additional $150 million from Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family as part of a national $7.4 billion settlement related to the opioid crisis. This brings the state's total share of the opioid settlement funds to $1.6 billion.

Buncombe County’s Share Exceeds $3 Million

Buncombe County is set to receive over $3 million from this latest round of funding. In total, the county is expected to receive more than $30 million between 2022 and 2038. The funding comes as the county faces a serious overdose crisis, with a projected 123 deaths reported last year.

Settlement Finalized After Years of Legal Disputes

According to North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein, the settlement has been in the works for several years. “The governor had reached an agreement last year, but a court reversed part of it for technical reasons,” he said. The newly finalized deal will provide “front-loaded” funding, with most of the money arriving within the next three years. Most of the funds will be directed to local governments.

Investments in Crisis Services and Recovery

The Asheville Recovery Center, a local addiction treatment facility, welcomed the funding. Its director of admissions and business development, who is also in recovery, said the money could help expand access to treatment and reduce wait times. “If we can build more crisis centers or detox facilities, that’s real progress,” he said. He added that increased funding can allow for better staffing ratios, something often more achievable in the private sector. With these resources, public programs can begin to offer similar quality of care.

County Plans for Evidence-Based Programs

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Buncombe County plans to use its share of the settlement for initiatives including evidence-based treatment, recovery support services, and the distribution of Naloxone—a medication that reverses opioid overdoses.

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