Data discussed at the first in a series of forums on the distribution of $18 million to combat opioid misuse offered a reminder of why the funding is needed.
In the 202 days between June 1 and Dec. 19, emergency medical crews responded to 189 suspected overdoses reported to Pitt County Emergency Services. Year-to-date, 394 overdoses have been reported.
“What I will say, and what I think is a shoutout to emergency services, is that out of this 394 there has only been three fatalities in the field,” Caitlyn Hewson, Pitt County’s opioid settlement coordinator, said at Thursday’s event. “I think one of the things we can highlight about Pitt County is that Narcan (which reverses overdoses) is becoming more accessible to groups and individuals needing assistance.”
Money secured in 2021 from drug makers and distributors in the National Opioids Settlement will help bolster efforts like Narcan access and awareness as well as treatment and prevention programs.
The state is expected to get about $1.4 billion and about $18 million is coming to Pitt County over 18 years, Hewson told about a dozen people gathered Thursday at the Pitt County Health Department to learn more about how the nonprofit agencies they represent can access the funds.
The state has identified 12 strategies that can receive funding and Pitt County dollars currently are supporting six of those: collaborative and strategic planning, two evidence-based treatment programs, a re-entry program, early intervention, naloxone (Narcan) distribution and syringe exchange.
Hewson said work also is underway to establish a public health platform with information about treatment programs and other resources available in the county. The county has already received $3.9 million in settlement funding, she said, and $1.4 million of that has been designated.
“There is good work being done and we want to be able to highlight those organizations and be able to share what they are doing in the community so citizens can get on Google and search, what resources do we have in Pitt County?” she said.
Also, the memorandum of agreement between counties and the state requires that the county reimburse organizations instead of funding them upfront, Hewson said. That ensures unspent dollars stay with the county for future programs. Partners also have to reapply for funding each year, she said.
Watsi Sutton, Koinonia Community Solutions executive director, said her organization has multiple programs supporting individuals recovering from substance misuse and drug prevention.
“There’s been lots of talk about the national opioid settlement and its ability to turn the page or remedy some of the effects of the opioid crisis,” Sutton said. “There are lots of great organizations such as the one for which I work, who are already in the community, already have those contacts and are trying to support individuals who have been affected by opioid misuse and the opioid crisis.”
Sutton said her organization has evidence-based programs that are making an impact and wants to find a way to partner that can expand its work, especially in the area of prevention.
“We find that somewhere around fifth, sixth grade is where so (many) of those thought processes, habits (and) influences begin to form that lead to lifelong use of substances or other at-risk behaviors,” Sutton said.
Her organization also operates a program that helps people recovering from opioid misuse to find work.
“In the nonprofit world, funding is the lifeblood, and you have to keep doing the work,” Sutton said.
Hewson said applications for funds will be accepted in the spring. Organizations like Sutton’s must submit a letter of intent and fill out the provided application.
A review committee will present recommendations to the Pitt County Board of Commissioners, which has final funding approval.
Organizations must pick one of the 12 strategies. Hewson said other groups working with settlement funding have found that an organization that tries to implement more than one strategy has difficulty recording the necessary data that documents their work.
Applicants also need to state where they are at in the implementation stage, Hewson said, because the county wants to focus on expanding existing work or adding a new layer to existing programs.
Hewson said the opioid program eventually will have a website with information highlighting Pitt County data. It will give the program managers and the community an idea of what the organizations are accomplishing with the funding.
Hewson hopes upcoming meetings will draw in more groups to discuss programming they want to see funded.
“We are open to anyone that would like to attend, whether they are a community member or community leader,” Hewson said.
