Health officials & faith leaders hope settlement money makes big difference in opioid crisis

JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (WITN) – North Carolina will soon receive $750 million in settlement funding for substance abuse resources and treatment.

The state Department of Health and Human Services reported an average of nine deaths a day in 2020 from a drug overdose. That was a 40% increase from 2019.

Faith-based organizations are optimistic that the settlement funding will bring substance abuse resources to counties in serious need.

“There’s currently 47 syringe exchange programs across the state and they cover about 50 counties and so because we have 100 counties in North Carolina, obviously not all of the counties are covered,” Elizabeth Brewington of the North Carolina Council of Churches said.