North Carolina allocates opioid settlement funds for addiction treatment

North Carolina is distributing its portion of a national opioid settlement, which includes more than $1.4 billion earmarked for addiction treatment, recovery, and harm reduction programs. The state-level funds are part of a broader $56 billion national agreement involving pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors, and retailers.

Local governments across the state's 100 counties will receive funds over an 18-year period. In Wake County, the Board of Commissioners has approved a plan to allocate resources toward Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), peer support specialists, naloxone distribution, and recovery housing. Organizations such as Healing Transitions, the Fellowship Home of Raleigh, and Illuminate NC are among those slated to receive support.

Providers like the Durham Recovery Center have noted that while the funding is a significant step, there remains a continuous need for accessible treatment options for those affected by opioid use disorder.