North Carolina has reached a significant settlement with Purdue Pharma, the maker of oxycontin, as part of ongoing efforts to combat the state’s opioid crisis. The $7.4 billion settlement, of which North Carolina will receive up to $150 million, aims to address the impact of the opioid epidemic in the state. A previous settlement in 2022 will also provide additional funds to support remediation efforts.
Durham County, which has seen a high rate of overdose deaths, is set to receive a portion of these funds, with plans to focus on prevention, treatment, and recovery programs. The Durham Public Health Department has hired an opioid settlement manager to oversee the distribution of funds and ensure compliance with guidelines. The department is working on establishing a long-term spending plan, which will involve partnering with local pharmacies for syringe distribution and increasing access to naloxone.
To ensure transparency and effectiveness, Durham’s local government plans to engage with the community through the creation of an advisory committee and the launch of a public dashboard to track fund allocation. The department aims to evaluate the impact of their efforts and make adjustments based on feedback from residents. Overall, the focus is on using the settlement funds to address the opioid crisis in a strategic and impactful way.
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