Bladen County will receive nearly $5.2 million through 2038 from national opioid settlements.

Like other local governments in North Carolina, Bladen County commissioners must spend the money on efforts to combat the opioid epidemic. The county has gotten more than $1.5 million since 2022, when the money began to be distributed.

The Border Belt Independent looked at how the county has spent the money so far.

Spending plans are made public at ncopioidsettlement.org.

May 2023 

  • $6,250 to Addiction, Consulting and Training (ACT) Associates to request grant funding from the federal Bureau of Justice to plan and establish an adult drug court with Columbus County. 

August 2023 

  • $45,000 to ACT Associates to create a strategic plan for strengthening the county’s substance misuse services and collect outcome data. 

September 2023 

  • $60,750 to ACT Associates to update the county’s strategic plan to strengthen the existing system for substance misuse services and identify gaps in services. 
  • $120,450 to The Healing Place of New Hanover County to provide detox, treatment, and sober-living services to Bladen County adults. 
  •  $56,347 to Bladen County EMS to re-establish the community paramedic program that provides resources to people who overdose on drugs.  

February 2024

  •  $120,450 to The Healing Place of New Hanover County to provide detox, treatment, and sober-living services to Bladen County adults. 

May 2024

  • $8,500 to ACT Associates to plan a medication-assisted treatment project for people held at the Bladen County Detention Center. 

August 2024

  • $150,750 to Southeastern Carolina Crossroads to provide up to 180 days of faith-based recovery housing. 

September 2024

  • $60,750 to ACT Associates to update the county’s strategic plan to strengthen the existing system for substance misuse services and identify gaps in services. 
  • $100,000 to The Healing Place of New Hanover County to provide detox, treatment, and sober-living services to Bladen County adults. 
  • $90,000 to Southeastern Carolina Crossroads to provide up to 180 days of faith-based recovery housing. 
  • $10,093 to Prevention Health Press, and National Health Promotion Associates to offer the LifeSkills program for students in fifth through ninth grade. 
  • $57,781 to the Bladen County Health Department to hire a full-time employee who will ensure “quality outcomes” for opioid settlement spending. 
  • $1,500 to Bladen County Emergency Medical Services for Narcan, a medication that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose.  
  • $112,694 to hire two certified peer support specialists who encourage people who have overdosed on drugs to seek treatment. 

June 2025

  • $60,750 to a to-be-determined organization to update the county’s strategic plan to strengthen the existing system for substance misuse services and identify gaps in services.
  • $100,000 to The Healing Place of New Hanover County to provide long-term residential services for those struggling with substance use disorders. 
  • $90,000 to Southeastern Carolina Crossroads to provide up to 180 days of faith-based recovery housing. 
  • $30,000 to Adult & Teen Challenge to support housing and recovery services for adults and veterans. 
  • $61,611 to the Bladen County Health Department to fund a coordinator who oversees opioid response initiatives, supports community engagement, and ensures implementation of the county’s strategic plan. 
  • $35,889.50 to the Bladen County Health Department for a health educator who coordinates efforts for substance misuse and prevention, harm reduction, and community awareness. 
  •  $10,093 to the Bladen County Health Department to “deliver life-skills education and support at-risk youth”
  • $1,500 to the Bladen County Health Department for naloxone
  • $270,000 to the Bladen County Health Department to expand its team of peer-support specialists.