HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2026-021-Resolution by the County of Orange, North Carolina to Direct the Expenditure of Opioid Settlement Funds (SP-8) RES-2026- 021 (Amending RES -2026-005 ) ; 84, 3 / 17/26
A RESOLUTION BY THE COUNTY OF ORANGE, NORTH CAROLINA
TO DIRECT THE EXPENDITURE OF OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDS
WHEREAS Orange County , North Carolina has joined national settlement agreements
with companies engaged in the manufacturing , distribution , and dispensing of opioids , including
settlements with drug distributors Cardinal , McKesson , and AmerisourceBergen , and the drug
maker Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals ,
WHEREAS the allocation , use , and reporting of funds stemming from these national
settlement agreements and certain bankruptcy resolutions ( " Opioid Settlement Funds " ) are
governed by the Memorandum of Agreement Between the State of North Carolina and Local
Governments on Proceeds Relating to the Settlement of Opioid Litigation ( " MOA ") ,
WHEREAS Orange County has received Opioid Settlement Funds pursuant to these
national settlement agreements and deposited the Opioid Settlement Funds in a separate special
revenue fund as required by section D of the MOA ;
WHEREAS section E . 6 of the MOA states :
E . 6 . Process for drawing from special revenue funds .
a . Budget item or resolution required . Opioid Settlement Funds can be used for a purpose
when the Governing Body includes in its budget or passes a separate resolution
authorizing the expenditure of a stated amount of Opioid Settlement Funds for that
purpose or those purposes during a specified period of time .
b . Budget item or resolution details . The budget or resolution should ( i) indicate that it is an
authorization for expenditure of opioid settlement funds ; ( ii ) state the specific strategy or
strategies the county or municipality intends to fund pursuant to Option A or Option B ,
using the item letter and/or number in Exhibit A or Exhibit B to identify each funded
strategy , and ( iii ) state the amount dedicated to each strategy for a stated period of time .
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED , in alignment with the NC MOA , Orange County ,
authorizes the expenditure of opioid settlement funds as follows :
1 . First strategy authorized
a . Name of strategy : Recovery Support Services
b . Strategy is included in Exhibit A (Exhibit A . Exhibit B )
c . Item letter and/or number in Exhibit A or Exhibit B to the MOA : Strategy
d . Amounted authorized for this strategy : $24 . 346
e . Period of time during which expenditure may take place :
Start date July 1 . 2023 through End date June 30 , 2026
f. Description of the program , project, or activity :
The Lantern Project is a collaboration between the Criminal Justice Resource
Department and subcontractor Freedom House Recovery Center . The mission is to
support justice - impacted individuals with substance use disorder through evidence -
based strategies , interventions and programming designed to reduce their
vulnerability to overdose , death , and recidivism . The mission is to light the path to
recovery through harm reduction , diversion , reentry support and treatment .
g . Provider : Criminal Justice Resource Department
2 . Second strategy authorized
a . Name of strategy : Naloxone Distribution
b . Strategy is included in Exhibit A (Exhibit A , Exhibit B)
c . Item letter and/or number in Exhibit A or Exhibit B to the MOA : Strategy
d . Amounted authorized for this strategy : $ 54 , 198
e . Period of time during which expenditure may take place :
Start date July 1 , 2024 through End date June 30 , 2026
f. Description of the program, project, or activity :
Funds will be used to purchase Naloxone for Community Vending Machines in
the County .
g . Provider : Criminal Justice Resource Department
3 . Third authorized strategy
a . Name of strategy : Syringe Service Program ( SSP)
b . Strategy is included in Exhibit A (Exhibit A , Exhibit B)
c . Item letter and/or number in Exhibit A or Exhibit B to the MOA : Strategy
d . Amounted authorized for this strategy : $ 54 , 628
e . Period of time during which expenditure may take place :
Start date July 1 , 2024 through End date June 30 , 2026
f. Description of the program, project, or activity :
UNC Student Health Action Coalition ( SHAG) is a harm reduction-based organization
providing sterile injection supplies , fentanyl and xylazine test strips ; also provides
referrals to other social and health services for people who use drugs in Orange
County . Seeking funds for Syringe Service Program ( SSP) supplies , educational
materials , marketing , travel , and continued funding for paid Program Navigator
position . Desire to open a new SHAC SSP location to increase SSP access ; current
distribution occurs at Interfaith Council for Social Service and University Methodist
Church; Hillsborough Pharmacy assists with storage needs .
g . Provider : UNC SHAC
4 . Fourth authorized strategy
a . Name of strategy : Recovery Support Services
b . Strategy is included in Exhibit A (Exhibit A , Exhibit B)
c . Item letter and/or number in Exhibit A or Exhibit B to the MOA : Strategy 3
d . Amounted authorized for this strategy : $20 , 000
e . Period of time during which expenditure may take place :
Start date July 1 . 2024 through End date June 30 , 2026
f. Description of the program , project , or activity :
Seeking support for additional mentor trainers to work with youth and emerging
adults (ages 13 - 20) navigating substance use , mental health challenges , and/or justice
involvement . Mentors serve as allies and peer support workers , and often have
personal experience with substance use , mental health challenges , and/or justice
involvement .
Mentors receive comprehensive training to recognize and nurture youth strengths ,
utilizing Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration ( SAMHSA)
Core Competencies (recovery-oriented , person-centered , voluntary , relationship focused ,
and trauma- informed practices) , active listening skills , SMART goal setting,
and motivational interviewing techniques . Recognizing the profound impact of
poverty and social identities on the youth we serve , RSN is committed to addressing
the root causes of inequity through culturally responsive and person- centered
services .
g . Provider : Reintegration Support Network (RSN)
5 . Fifth authorized strategy
a . Name of strategy : Post-Overdose Response Team
b . Strategy is included in Exhibit A (Exhibit A, Exhibit B)
c . Item letter and/or number in Exhibit A or Exhibit B to the MOA : Strategy
d . Amounted authorized for this strategy : $ 6 , 621
e . Period of time during which expenditure may take place :
Start date July 1 , 2024 through End date June 30 , 2026
f. Description of the program, project, or activity :
Development and implementation of a PORT within the geographic constraints of
Orange County , NC ; funds will support staff salary , supplies and needed software .
PORTs are specialized teams that respond to opioid overdoses in real time or within
24- 72 hours of the overdose event . Upon implementation, the OC-EMS PORT will
meet individuals where they are at in their addiction by providing harm reduction
resources , linkage to treatment services , and medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
induction and administration .
This service will be available to all eligible individuals that OC-EMS interfaces with
during EMS incidents and will be provided as a referral for collaborating
departments , emergency departments , organizations and the community at-large .
PORTs have become the standard of care in post- overdose services nationally and
locally , with 41 North Carolina counties currently having an active PORT in place .
g . Provider : Orange County Emergency Services
6 . Sixth authorized strategy
a. Name of strategy : Collaborative Strategic Planning
b . Strategy is included in Exhibit A (Exhibit A, Exhibit B)
c . Item letter and/or number in Exhibit A or Exhibit B to the MOA : Strategy 1
d . Amounted authorized for this strategy : $ 11 , 919
e . Period of time during which expenditure may take place :
Start date July 1 , 2024 through End date June 30 , 2026
f. Description of the program , project, or activity :
The Orange County Opioid Program Manager (Harm Reduction Coordinator) will be
responsible for overseeing the development, administration, budget, grant
management, and reporting for Orange County ' s Opioid Settlement Program . This
position will work with closely with Orange County staff and community partners
involved in community overdose prevention, education, harm reduction, treatment
opportunities and recovery support . They will ensure all reporting requirements are
met for the Opioid Settlement Fund and pursue additional resources to advance this
work .
g . Provider : Orange County Health Department
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7 . Seventh Authorized Strategy
a . Name of strategy : Evidence-based Addiction Treatment
b . Strategy is included in Exhibit A (Exhibit A, Exhibit B)
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c . Item letter and/or number in Exhibit A or Exhibit B to the MOA : Strategy 2
d . Amounted authorized for this strategy : $48 , 598
e . Period of time during which expenditure may take place :
Start date July 1 , 2025 through End date June 30 , 2026
f. Description of the program, project , or activity :
Freedom House connects with individuals screened in the Orange County Detention
Center who have a history of Opioid Use Disorder . The licensed clinician will
conduct a Comprehensive Clinical Assessment to ascertain the best treatment j
options for the individual prior to or upon release from incarceration . Freedom
House will utilize a Peer Support Specialist post incarceration to assist individuals
with connecting to the recommended treatment . The Peer will work with the
individual as long as needed to connect them with treatment, community resources ,
court appearances and to support the individual in recovery to curb recidivism . The I
clinician will reevaluation as needed when and if life circumstances change prior to
engaging in treatment . I
g . Provider : Freedom House
The total dollar amount of Opioid Settlement Funds appropriated across the above named and
authorized strategies is $ 220 , 3100004
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Originally adopted the 20t" day of January 2026 and amended on the 17t" day of March , 2026 .
n Hamilton , Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
ATTEST :
n All
ura Jensen , C Gr
k to the Board
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