MORGANTON, N.C. — In a decisive move to combat the local opioid crisis, the Burke County Board of Commissioners has unanimously approved a series of formal funding recommendations presented by the Burke County Opioid Advisory Board (OAB). The vote took place during the Board’s regular monthly meeting on Monday, August 18, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Commissioners’ Chambers.
The 11-member Opioid Advisory Board, created earlier this year, was tasked with guiding the strategic investment of opioid settlement funds. Burke County is set to receive approximately $25 million over 18 years to enhance and expand services for residents affected by opioid use disorder.
Following extensive review and community engagement, the Board of Commissioners approved the Advisory Board’s proposals, which include both internal county initiatives and partnerships with local recovery-focused organizations.
Approved Internal County Initiatives:
1. Co-Responding Post Overdose Response Team – An expansion of the successful Community Paramedic Program to offer more robust overdose response support.
2. Naloxone Distribution – Increased access to the life-saving medication throughout the county.
3. Peer Navigator Role – A new position focused on helping individuals connect with recovery resources and navigate available services.
Approved Community-Based Programs:
1. A Caring Alternative – Will deliver both Substance Abuse Intensive Outpatient Program (SAIOP) and Substance Abuse Comprehensive Outpatient Treatment (SACOT) services. These nationally recognized programs boast abstinence rates of up to 80% within six months.
2. High Country Community Health (HCCH) – A Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) expanding low-barrier Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) services, with a new triage and referral system to improve access and long-term recovery outcomes.
3. SPARC – Approved to provide Family-Centered Treatment, an evidence-based, in-home model that addresses substance use disorder at the family level, leading to transformative results across households.
“These decisions reflect a countywide commitment to healing, recovery, and innovation,” said County Commission Chairman Jeff Brittain. “We are proud to support data-driven solutions that reflect the needs and voices of our community.”
The next meeting of the Opioid Advisory Board is scheduled for September 16, 2025, where implementation strategies and progress updates will be discussed.