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Commissioner Hovis - DHHS (Community Support Services) - To Approve a Resolution to Direct the Expenditure of Opioid Settlement Funds for the Gaston County Jail Medication Assisted Treatment / Medication for Opioid Use Disorder Program to be implemented by Gaston County Emergency Medical Services and Gaston County Sheriff’s Office. (Year 1: $39,206 / Total Program: $1,047,985)
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STAFF CONTACT
Gregory Grier - Community Support Services - 704-862-6735
BUDGET IMPACT
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Increase revenue and expenses in the Opioid Settlement Funds by the following:
Year 1 (June 1, 2024 - June 30, 2024): $39,206
Year 2 (July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025): $501,958
Year 3 (July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026): $506,821
Total opioid settlement funds: $1,047,985. No additional County funds.
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BUDGET ORDINANCE IMPACT
Minimal impact to the budget ordinance.
BACKGROUND
The State of NC joined in the national litigation against pharmaceutical supply chain participants who engaged in the manufacture, marketing, promotion, distribution, or dispensing of opioid medications that has harmed the public. On June 8, 2021 the Board of Commissioners approved the Memorandum of Agreement Between the State of North Carolina and Local Governments on Proceeds Relating to the Settlement of Opioid Litigation (Res 2021-172) joining in the national litigation. Gaston County will receive a projected $40,000.000 in settlement funds to be received over a period of 18 years. To date, the County has received $9,065,809 in settlement funds. To date, $2,810,533 has been allocated by the Board of Commissioners.
This Board Action, if approved, appropriates $1,047,985 in Opioid Settlement funds for the Gaston County Jail MAT program to be implemented by Gaston County Emergency Medical Services and Gaston County Sheriff’s Office. Certified Peer Support Specialist services will be provided by Olive Branch Ministry or any other service provider as deemed appropriate. Two Community Paramedics and one peer support specialist will be in the Gaston County jail as an extension of the Community Paramedicine Program and administer MAT to individuals daily while they are incarcerated in accordance with the Emergency Medical Services’ standing order. Services in the jail will based on demand and paid when provided.
Medication Assisted Treatment will be available for those who enter with a current prescription as well as pregnant individuals who meet the eligibility criteria to initiate MAT. Additionally, one or two detention officers (dependent on need) will be responsible for movement of patients throughout the jail facility for the purposes of MAT dosing. The Certified Peer Support Specialist, Community Paramedics, and detention officer(s) will also be responsible for providing education to inmates as well as new and existing jail staff. Training will include stigma reduction and cultural humility of those who use drugs, overdose awareness education and prevention, and harm reduction education. Outcomes to be measured include number of inmates receiving MAT, impact on overdose post-release, recidivism rates, and continuing participation in treatment post-release. Program Staff will report data weekly to the County Manager and the County Manager will report data monthly to the Gaston County Board of County Commissioners.
POLICY IMPACT
N/A
ATTACHMENTS
Spending Authorization Resolution and Budget Change Request (BCR) - Year 1