CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As the nationwide opioid settlement to fight the epidemic makes its way into communities across North Carolina, one county has unveiled its plan for spending.
What You Need To Know
Mecklenburg County awards $6 million to selected groups to fight the opioid epidemic
It’s part of the nationwide opioid settlement
Groups awarded funding include those focused on early intervention, addiction treatment and wrap-around services like employment
It’s needed now more than ever as the latest data from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) shows more than 11 North Carolinians died from a drug overdose every day last year.
As part of the nationwide opioid settlement, counties like Mecklenburg received funding to fight back. As a result, this year they have $6 million dollars to give to organizations with boots on the ground working to find solutions every day.
The county’s latest data shows 237 people died from overdoses in Mecklenburg County alone in 2021.
The Board of County Commissioners allocated funds under three categories: prevention, treatment and recovery, which was broken into five subcategories.
Organizations receiving funding include:
Early Intervention
- Thompson Child and Family Focus
- Children’s Home Society of NC
- Project 658
Evidence-based Addiction Treatment
- Charlotte Community Health Clinic
- Amity Medical Group
Employment-related Services
- Hope Haven
- Charlotte Area Fund
- National Center on Institutions and Alternatives
Recovery Housing Support
- Hope Homes Recovery Services
- Queen City Harm Reduction
- McLeod Center for Well Being
- Oxford House
Recovery Support Services
- Hope Haven
- Smart Recovery USA
- Carolina Cares Partnership
- Amity Medical Group
The county will receive $72 million over 18 years to address the opioid epidemic.