Craven County Opioid Epidemic Response Annual Meeting- May 7, 2026

The Craven County Opioid Epidemic Response Annual Meeting held on May 7, 2026, focused on reviewing opioid-related data trends, discussing the use of opioid settlement funds, and planning future strategies to combat the opioid crisis in the county. Presenters shared detailed statistics on overdose deaths and emergency visits, highlighting demographic shifts and vulnerable populations such as individuals experiencing homelessness and those involved with the criminal justice system. The meeting emphasized the legal constraints on spending opioid settlement funds, which must be used for opioid remediation activities as outlined in the North Carolina Memorandum of Agreement (NCOA). Current funded programs include post-overdose response teams, recovery housing, and school-based prevention curricula. The proposed budget for fiscal year 2026-27 is approximately $750,000, with plans to expand naloxone distribution, re-entry programming, and criminal justice diversion programs. Community input was actively solicited to guide funding decisions and program development, with an emphasis on evidence-based treatment and avoiding unsupported or abstinence-only programs. The meeting concluded with encouragement for ongoing community engagement and collaboration among local agencies to address gaps in services such as transportation and recovery housing.