Columbus County will receive nearly $14.7 million through 2038 from national opioid settlements. 

Like other local governments in North Carolina, Columbus County commissioners must spend the money on efforts to combat the opioid epidemic. The county has gotten more than $4.4 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.

2023  

  • $65,000 for a part-time employee to track spending and outcomes.
  • $36,968 to launch a database to track opioid overdoses and arrests.  
  • $289,080 to The Healing Place of New Hanover County to provide 10 to 12 beds to Columbus County residents with substance use disorders. 
  • $75,000 to create a staff position to help residents find and access treatment services. 
  • $22,326 to implement the LifeSkills drug-prevention program at Columbus County and Whiteville schools.  
  • $5,000 for District Court Judge Scott Ussery to attend mandatory drug-court training. 
  • $40,000 to train local health officials and medical providers on recognizing signs and symptoms of substance use disorders. 
  • $30,000 to Addiction Consulting and Training Associates (ACT) to identify the number of local emergency department patients under involuntary commitment orders for mental health issues or substance use disorder.  
  •  $1,200 for naloxone for Columbus County Emergency Medical Services and law enforcement. 
  • $100,000 for technical support and grant writing. 
  • $10,000 for naloxone for Columbus County Emergency Medical Services, first responders, and the Columbus County Health Department. 
  • $85,000 to hire an independent contractor to help Columbus County residents find and access opioid use disorder treatment services. 
  • $82,145 for the LifeSkills drug-prevention program at Columbus County and Whiteville schools.  
  • $10,425 to send up to three court employees to attend mandatory drug-court training. 
  • $35,000 to NTI Upstream to provide training to address the needs of pregnant or parenting women and their families, including babies with neonatal abstinence syndrome.  
  • $23,500 to train Columbus County physicians on how to prevent over-prescribing opioids. 
  • $45,000 to develop a webpage that educates local residents about drug misuse. 
  • $10,500 to transport people with substance use disorders to Dix Crisis Center in Jacksonville, Walter B. Jones Alcohol and Drug Treatment Center in Greenville, or other facilities. 
  • $3,000 to train independent contractor (county liaison) on opioid use disorder, substance disorder, and mental health disorders. 
  • $30,000 to develop a media campaign featuring billboards, yard signs and public service announcements to educate residents about opioid misuse and available resources. 
  • $72,900 for up to one full-time employee track opioid spending. 

2024

  • $60,000 for a full-time employee to track opioid settlement funds.
  • $13,000 for harm reduction.  
  • $3,000 to train first responders in the use of naloxone. 
  • $18,000 for naloxone for first responders. 
  • $289,080 to The Healing Place of New Hanover County to provide 10 to 12 beds to Columbus County residents with substance use disorders. 
  • $90,000 for a licensed mental health provider to provide an around-the-clock crisis and resource line. 
  • $20,000 for the LifeSkills drug-prevention program at Columbus County and Whiteville schools.  
  • $10,000 for up to three court employees to attend drug-court training. 
  • $85,000 for NTI Upstream to provide training to address the needs of pregnant or parenting women and their families, including babies with neonatal abstinence syndrome.  
  • $20,000 to develop a webpage that educates local residents about drug misuse. 
  • $100,000 for technical support and grant writing.
  • $15,000 to train Columbus County physicians on how to prevent over-prescribing opioids. 
  • $5,000 to Healing Heart to transport people with substance use disorders to Dix Crisis Center in Jacksonville, Walter B. Jones Alcohol and Drug Treatment Center in Greenville, or other facilities. 
  • $5,000 to Healing Heart to transport residents with substance use disorders to outpatient programs, recovery meetings, and other services. 
  • $2,500 to help residents transitioning from recovery housing pay for move-in deposits, utilities, and furniture.   
  • $1,500 to to train an independent contractor (county liaison) on opioid use disorders, substance disorders, and mental health disorders. 
  • $35,000 to Pen and Palette marketing firm to develop a media campaign featuring billboards, yard signs and public service announcements to educate residents about opioid misuse and available resources.
  • $110,000 to initiate an adult drug court. 
  • $200,000 to Northwoods Consulting Partners in Ohio to create a database to track families investigated for child abuse and neglect and are experiencing substance use disorders.