Wake County set to receive $35 million through opioid settlement

Wake County is due to receive $18 million as part of an opioid settlement. The money will be distributed over 18 years.

Posted 11:43 p.m. May 2, 2022 — Updated 11:51 p.m. May 2, 2022

Ali Ingersoll

, WRAL Investigative Data Journalist

Wake County leaders are revealing plans for how they intend to spend the money they'll receive through the opioid settlement. In total, the state is poised to receive more than $750 million and it’ll be distributed to all 100 counties.

Wake County is set to receive $35 million. It'll be distributed over 18 years to address the opioid crisis. The bulk of that funding is coming in the first few years. On Monday, assistant county manager Denise Foreman said Wake County has already received $1.3 million.

"One of the things we really want to focus in on is what’s going to help us move the needle and be successful," said Foreman when discussing the plan with county commissioners on the Health and Human Services committee.

As part of the agreement, the money has to be used for opioid treatment, although it can be spent on programming that addresses issues for people struggling with substance use disorder who are addicted to other drugs in addition to opioids. The memorandum also requires each county to create a dashboard, similar to the state’s, showing the impact of the crisis on the community and how exactly the money is being distributed.

Foreman presented two options to commissioners. The one they’re recommending includes funding evidence-based strategies like recovery housing support, naloxone distribution and re-entry programs.

"This is a solid list here that we know if we are able to use our investments to launch these programs that we are going ot make a difference," Foreman said.

Now, the county wants the community to get involved and provide feedback about how they want the funding used. The committee will prepare recommendations by late August, the board will consider that come September and then the resolutions will be adopted and implemented beginning in the fall.

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