Chatham County Receives Over $5 Million to Combat Opioid Crisis, Encourages Community Engagement
PITTSBORO, NC— Chatham County is receiving over $5 million to address the opioid crisis and invites members of the community to invest in a healthier future by participating in community meetings. This funding, sourced from a historic agreement that will provide desperately needed relief to communities impacted by opioids, is being issued in installments over an 18-year period. Payments to the county originally began in 2022.
Across North Carolina and in Chatham County, injuries and deaths from opioid overdoses have been on the rise. In 2022 alone, one out of every 1000 county residents visited the hospital or died because of opioids.
The state became part of the National Opioid Settlement in 2021, which was set up to resolve lawsuits over drug companies’ involvement in causing and fueling the opioid crisis. Funds from the settlement are being used to support treatment, recovery, harm reduction, and other life-saving services across North Carolina.
“It is more important than ever that we provide life-saving addiction and recovery resources for substance use to Chatham County residents,” said Chatham County Public Health Department Opioid Overdose Prevention Coordinator Morgan Culver. “Each day, 11 North Carolinians died of opioid overdoses, and we’ve lost nearly 100 people to overdoses since 2020 here in Chatham. The National Opioid Settlement funds are a wonderful opportunity to repair the harm caused by the opioid crisis and build a healthier future.”
Multiple community partners are tackling substance abuse locally through the Sheriff’s Prevention Partnership on Controlled Substances. This team of law enforcement officers, health officials, schools, nonprofits, first responders and others plan ways to address opioid use across the county. Some of their efforts include holding public meetings, helping at-risk community members and distributing Naloxone, a life-saving medication that can stop an opioid overdose.
“With the opioid crisis presenting significant challenges, it’s crucial for our community to stand together and invest in a healthier future,” said Sheriff Mike Roberson. “With more than $5 million allocated from the National Opioid Settlement, Chatham County is able to make important strides in combating substance abuse and safeguarding lives. Looking ahead, we anticipate expanding our program’s scope to encompass mental health initiatives, as well as addressing vaping and other non-opioid drug use that may contribute to opioid addiction.”
The Chatham County Public Health Department (CCPHD) would like to hear from people who have been directly impacted by the opioid crisis and wish to share their own lived experience. Interested community members are invited to join a public event in May, hosted by Chatham County and the Expand Good Samaritan North Carolina, to discuss the following topics:
- Opioid settlement funding
- Current harm reduction work
- Collaborative planning process
- Ideas about how to use the funding
Registration for this event is now open. All are welcome to attend. Meeting dates, times, and locations may be found below.
Thursday, May 2, 2024
6-8 p.m.
Goldston Public Library
9235 Pittsboro Goldston Rd
Goldston, NC 27252
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
6-8 p.m.
Chatham Community Library
197 NC-87
Pittsboro, NC 27312
Saturday, May 18, 2024
2-4 p.m.
Wren Memorial Library
500 N 2nd Ave
Siler City, NC 27344
*Spanish translation available*
For more info about North Carolina’s Opioid Settlements, visit ncopioidsettlement.org.
To learn more about opioid treatment resources, visit the CCPHD’s Substance Use webpage.
