More North Carolina Opioid Settlement Money Distributed

North Carolina is set to receive a second wave of opioid settlement money that amounts to 521 million dollars. North Carolinians, especially in the western part of the state, have struggled with the opioid epidemic gravely. The North Carolina opioid settlements will provide an important infusion of cash into public health, drug prevention, and drug treatment.

Opioid Settlement: Addressing the Opioid Epidemic in North Carolina

North Carolina, especially in rural areas, has been struggling with the opioid epidemic for years. Oxycontin plagued the state, which is what the opioid settlements are meant to address. Now fentanyl is the bigger threat because it’s often added to drugs on the street to make them more addictive. It’s also causing a spate of overdoses.

According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, in 2021, over 77% of overdose deaths included fentanyl. Often, these overdoses included other substances. Many people didn’t even know the drug they were taking included fentanyl. Counterfeit pills, like the blue fentanyl pills sold on the street, can include many adulterants.

“With 11 North Carolinians dying of an overdose every day on average, we are at a moment of crisis. These agreements my office achieved with these drug manufacturers and pharmacies will save lives,” NC Attorney General Josh Stein stated in a press release. “We are requiring these companies to pay for desperately needed treatment in our communities and to change the way they operate to prevent other people from getting addicted in the future.”

What Will the North Carolina Opioid Settlement Do?

The current settlement comes from drug makers Teva and Allergan and CVS and Walgreens pharmacies. In total, North Carolina will receive 1.5 billion from various national opioid lawsuits. The state mandates that the funds will be used to support programs and more opportunities for treatment and recovery. There are also funds for harm reduction, and of course, drug prevention programs throughout the state.

By the end of 2023, the money will be dispersed to support local programs. Some of the funds will be allocated to underserved areas or populations.

85% percent of the opioid settlement funds will go directly to North Carolina’s local communities “to support prevention, harm reduction, treatment, recovery, and other strategies to address the opioid overdose epidemic.” According to a recent press release. The balance will go to the state level and will be applied to similar programs.  North Carolina and local governments received $93.3 million as part of the first year of payments in 2022.

Focusing On Science-Backed Treatment

North Carolina has provided a model for the nation when it comes to tackling opioid addiction. Medication-Assisted Treatment is available to people with opioid use disorder, and much of the therapy can be handled one-on-one online.

North Carolina focuses only on treatment and prevention that have proven better outcomes. MAT has proved to be the gold standard of treatment when it comes to opioids. Alongside one-on-one treatment, group therapy and/or peer support groups, people addicted to opioids are able to change their lives.

Recovery opens up new worlds and helps heal old wounds. People learn new coping skills and how to live with a substance use disorder, which is a chronic condition. Making new and better decisions will come as a person grows. North Carolina sued companies and became part of the Opioid Settlement to help provide treatment to those who can't afford it.

Getting Help for Opioid Addiction

If you or somebody you love is struggling with opioids, we’re here to help. We offer outpatient drug rehabilitation for fentanyl and other opioids that includes the gold standard of treatment – medication-assisted treatment – to people who qualify. We can help you begin the journey to recovery discreetly and compassionately, please give us a call at 910-295-7246 to learn more.