December 12, 2023 Onslow County held its first Opioid Settlement Funds Community Meeting on Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at 6PM. The meeting took place in the Onslow County Board of Commissioners’ Chambers at the Government Center located at 234 Northwest Corridor Blvd, Jacksonville. This session will explain to the public what Opioid Settlement Funds are, how they can be used, what oversight is required for the use of these funds, and gather public input.
Onslow County agencies will share statistics regarding opioid use to give the public an idea of how our community has been impacted by the opioid crisis. This meeting is an opportunity to provide input which will help Onslow County Government determine the best use of Opioid Settlement Funds.
As of December 2023, North Carolina has been awarded $1,375,354,409 dollars. Onslow County’s portion of the Opioid Settlement is $19,213,512 dollars with funds being paid out over an 18year period from 2022 to 2038. On September 20, 2021, the Onslow County Board of Commissioners approved participation in the Opioid Settlement and adoption of Resolution 21019, the North Carolina Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). The MOA directs how Opioid Settlement Funds are distributed and used within North Carolina.
To make the best use of funds awarded, Onslow County Government created a multidisciplinary task force. From August 2022 through October 2022 Onslow County Government, along with multiple community partners and stakeholders, reviewed data to develop an accurate picture of the available services for substance use disorders that exist within our community. The task force identified gaps in the service continuum, needs within our community, and prioritized strategies and services for the Board of Commissioners to consider funding with Opioid Settlement Funds.