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Cumberland commissioners approve funding for programs to counter opioid use

County receives nearly $17 million for recovery, housing support

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The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners on Monday night voted to spend $949,990 in opioid lawsuit settlement money for an array of programs to help people addicted to opioids.

The unanimous vote came during a 6:45 p.m. meeting in Room 118 of the Cumberland County Courthouse.

The money, according to Jennifer Green, the county’s health director, comes from manufacturers of opioid medications. In July 2021, N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein announced a $26 billion agreement designed to provide resources to communities harmed by the opioid epidemic. Cumberland County is set to receive nearly $17 million over the next 18 years.

Also, the county received another nearly $112,000 as a result of the bankruptcy reorganization plan of opioid maker Mallinckrodt, according to Green.

More nationwide settlements are on the horizon by CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Teva, and Allergan that will provide $20 billion in additional funding. The payout schedule varies between six and 15 years. The amount allocated for Cumberland County has not been determined.

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The first nearly $680,000 for the county are earmarked as follows:

  • $200,000 for Carolina Treatment Center.
  • $200,000 for Myrover-Reese Fellowship Homes Inc.
  • $199,990 to NC Harm Reduction.
  • $80,000 to Cumberland Family Drug Treatment Court.

The funding includes an additional $70,000 for Narcan and syringe service programs and another $200,000 for a multiyear pilot project to support medication-assisted treatment at the Cumberland County Detention Center.

Carolina Treatment Center’s goals will be to provide recovery support services, recovery housing support, employment services, and re-entry programs.

The center says about 1,200 patients are served by its clinic each year, and 45 patients per month will enroll for support services. Officials at the center say it will be able to increase the number of patients who keep treatment appointments.

Myrover-Reese Fellowship Homes proposes providing recovery support services and recovery housing support for 42 clients over two years.

The agency says is will be able to increase the number of beds for recovery housing; increase the recovery completion rate; help more clients find jobs; and increase referrals for support services.

The North Carolina Harm Reduction proposes recovery support services, a criminal justice diversion program, and re-entry programs. The organization says it will served about 1,000 clients and 549 syringe service program participants.

The agency projects it can increase overdose reversals and post-overdose follow-ups as well as boost the number of naloxone kits distributed and the number of clients enrolled in treatment, recovery support, and housing programs.

The Cumberland-Fayetteville Family Drug Treatment Court proposes says it currently has 14 participants enrolled. The funding will help reduce relapses and increase participation in mentoring and skills development.

Before the vote, Commissioners Vice Chairman Glenn Adams asked whether there are provisions to monitor the programs to ensure compliance. Green assured him that monitoring would be done both internally and by the state.

Commissioner Jimmy Keefe said he prefers providing more education programs for youths to explain the hazards of opioid addiction.

Cumberland County, opioids, drug treatment

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