Committee makes recommendations on use of Opioid funding
A steering committee of local leaders and community members presented findings from their community learning process at the Mitchell County Board of Commissioners meeting on March 4.
In 2022, Mitchell County was awarded a grant by the Dogwood Health Trust for the purpose of organizing joint planning efforts related to opioid issues, in preparation for receiving funds from the $26 billion national opioid settlement agreement.
The steering committee was established to oversee the county’s community learning process. The process was designed to understand Mitchell County’s unique needs, strengthen relationships between local partners, and pinpoint the community’s investment priorities.
Addressing Mitchell County commissioners, community member Joshua Wise talked about how important local support was for his recovery.
“I am proud to stand before my commissioners today,” said Wise. “I wouldn’t be standing here today if my community had not rallied around me and gave me an opportunity to be able to succeed. We’re calling upon our community today to believe in this cause and realize that these [people] are our family, these are our friends, these are our children. Don’t give up on them.”
The project involved gathering information on drug use in the area and listening to stories from people affected by it. The committee engaged over 20 community advisors and collected stories from a wide range of perspectives, including those in recovery, family members, first responders, and healthcare professionals.
Statistics included in the presentation revealed that 73% of children in the Mitchell DSS system are there because of substance use by a parent or caregiver. Moreover, more than 1 in 5 people in Mitchell County report experiencing poor mental health in the last year. 68% of those who shared their stories reported using substances as a form of emotional soothing, with 59% citing addiction or dope sickness, and 43% citing survival as their reasons for substance use.
From these insights, the steering committee developed a list of actionable recommendations for the distribution of the National Opioid Settlement funds. These recommendations focus on collaborative strategic planning, evidence-based addiction treatment, recovery support services, early intervention, and support for recovery housing and employment-related services.
Harley Masters, county commissioner chair, reflected on her personal experiences with substance use after the presentation.
“As a child, I grew up in a home — or I guess you could say a house, it didn’t feel much like a home — that was constantly, I was constantly exposed to drugs as a young child,” said Masters. “I appreciate everybody in this room that has had a hand in this.”
Jeff Harding also shared his thoughts after the presentation.
“I’ve got 2 years left as a commissioner, and my personal goal is to make sure we do this right, we get our people help,” said Harding. He emphasized the urgent need to address drug abuse among youth.
“We’ve got alcohol, we’ve got drugs, we’ve got vaping, as young as 6th grade,” he said. “Our kids are dying. Their lives are being ruined,” he said.