County Opioid Committee Hears Calls for Action on 12.1 million in Settlement Funds
Members of the Davidson County Opioid Settlement Funds Committee heard concerns Tuesday from residents and community organizations about the pace of distributing and investing opioid settlement funds, including discussion about hiring a full-time coordinator to oversee the county's response. They questioned how previous recommendations could move forward to county commissioners. According to one statewide group Davidson County has reported more than 500 deaths since 2013 and almost 800 total deaths related to drug overdose.
Davidson County is holding more than $12.1 million in opioid settlement funds that have not yet been allocated, according to information discussed during the meeting. The county is expected to continue receiving settlement payments in the coming years.
The committee heard a presentation from a consulting firm hired to assess community needs and provide recommendations for the use of the funds. Among the issues discussed were mental health services, prevention, treatment, recovery resources and access to naloxone, commonly known by the brand name Narcan.
The consultant also discussed the potential value of a dedicated coordinator, an option the committee had previously recommended but delayed for more information. Examples from other communities with opioid settlement coordinators were presented as part of the public discussion.
Committee members raised questions about the timing, responsibilities and structure of a full-time position. Members also noted that the committee is composed of volunteers and county employees with existing professional responsibilities, creating challenges in gathering and reviewing the amount of information necessary to make funding recommendations.
Several residents and representatives of local organizations asked the committee and county government to move forward with the coordinator position rather than continue delaying a decision.
The consultant's presentation also included the first results from a community survey. Fewer than 150 people completed the survey, according to information presented during the meeting.
Some attendees questioned whether that response was sufficient to represent the experiences and needs of Davidson County residents affected by substance use.
One person attending the meeting raised concerns about trust between residents and county government.
"We don't trust them," she said, referring to county government.
"I assume everyone in this room is sober, but if we don't trust each other, how can we expect people in addiction to trust them?"
Families, people and professional who have experienced substance use, overdose and the deaths of loved ones were among those attending the meeting.
Data on fentanyl and prescription drug-related deaths were also discussed. Davidson County has been reported as having rates above the statewide average in some measures related to fentanyl and prescription drug deaths. Community members said the local numbers may not fully reflect the number of families affected by substance use and overdose.
The discussion included the role a full-time coordinator could have in managing the county's opioid settlement strategy. Supporters said a coordinator could research programs, work with treatment and prevention organizations, evaluate funding requests, track outcomes and provide the committee and Davidson County Board of Commissioners with information needed to make funding decisions.
Others raised questions about whether hiring a coordinator should come before determining specific programs and services the county intends to fund.
Davidson County Medical Ministries, Davidson County MAT program, Race Against Drugs were among the local organizations represented during the discussion.
Representatives of Race Against Drugs and other community advocates have previously sought opioid settlement funding for local initiatives. Some attendees expressed frustration that recommendations and requests have not moved more quickly through the committee and county approval process.
The committee has previously made recommendations to the Davidson County Board of Commissioners regarding the use and administration of settlement funds. Commissioners ultimately have authority over the county's expenditures.
Tuesday's discussion did not focus solely on the coordinator position. Participants also discussed prevention, treatment, mental health, recovery support, education and making naloxone more readily available.
The opioid settlement funds come from national legal settlements involving opioid manufacturers, distributors and other companies. Under the agreements governing the money, local governments are required to use the funds for approved strategies addressing the effects of the opioid epidemic.
The committee is responsible for reviewing Davidson County's needs and developing recommendations for how the county should use its share of those funds.
Community members asked the committee to consider both the urgency of the opioid crisis and the need for a process that allows people directly affected by substance use to participate in decisions about how the money is spent.
Discussion of the county's next steps, including the potential coordinator position and future funding recommendations, is expected to continue.
