Haywood allocates nearly $3M in opioid funds to treatment, prevention
Haywood commissioners took a big step in combatting substance use disorder.
File photo
Haywood County commissioners have adopted a resolution and corresponding ordinance that lays out how nearly $3 million in opioid settlement funds will be spent over the next 14 years, focusing heavily on treatment, recovery and mitigation within the criminal justice system.
The funding, part of a national settlement with companies involved in opioid manufacturing, distribution and dispensing, must be used according to strict state guidelines under North Carolina’s Memorandum of Agreement with local governments.
On July 21, commissioners formally approved a seven-part strategy totaling $2,932,343 through a resolution and companion ordinance that establishes the fiscal framework for the spending.
The largest allocation, more than $1 million, is earmarked for recovery support services, including housing, peer support, transportation, job training and childcare for those in recovery.
Another $500,000 will go toward addiction treatment for people who are incarcerated, along with $500,000 for diversion programs designed to offer alternatives to jail for nonviolent offenders struggling with substance use disorder.
Other approved strategies include $350,000 for evidence-based addiction treatment, $250,000 for reentry programs that help individuals transition back into society after incarceration, $200,000 for naloxone distribution to reverse overdoses and $100,000 for employment-related services.
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All funds were available starting July 1, and must be expended by June 30, 2039.
Each strategy comes directly from the MOA’s “Exhibit A,” a list of high-impact, evidence-based interventions. The MOA requires counties to choose from this menu unless they complete a broader strategic planning process to unlock additional options under “Exhibit B.”
Haywood chose to follow Option A, streamlining implementation while ensuring compliance with the state’s guidelines.
The ordinance adopted by the board establishes a new settlement project fund specifically for these expenditures and authorizes the county finance officer to track and report the use of funds annually. No county general fund revenue will be used to supplement the settlement fund expenditures.
Under Section 13.2 of Chapter 159 of the North Carolina General Statutes, such a project ordinance allows multi-year spending, accommodating the long-term nature of opioid response strategies. According to the ordinance, the county’s finance officer must also maintain detailed accounting records to meet both state and settlement agreement compliance standards.
The adopted measures are the latest step in a years-long process that began when Haywood joined the national litigation against opioid producers and distributors. The resulting settlements have brought billions of dollars into local communities across the country, with North Carolina counties like Haywood expected to receive annual installments over time.
While much of the damage from the opioid epidemic is already done, county leaders say the funding represents a chance to mitigate future harm and rebuild systems of support.
The July 21 resolution and ordinance follow months of internal planning and public discussion, although no specific partner organizations or vendors have yet been announced. Contracts for services are expected to be brought before the board in future meetings as funds become available.
As part of ongoing transparency requirements, Haywood County will publish annual reports detailing how the funds are spent and what outcomes are achieved. That data will also be shared with the state to help inform future investments in opioid prevention and recovery.
