SALISBURY — Rowan Public Health wants your feedback on how best to spend $28 million in opioid settlement funds.
“Opioid settlement funds provide a unique opportunity to address the long-term effects of the opioid epidemic,” reads information from public health. Rowan County Public Health encourages all residents to take part in the survey and help shape the future of prevention, treatment, recovery and support services in our community.”
Beginning in 2022, North Carolina received the first installment of over $1 billion earmarked for projects to address the negative impact opioids have had on communities. Of that $1,469,171,827, Rowan County’s share totals $29,153,173.
On Tuesday, public health announced its initiative to gather public feedback, through an online survey, on how to spend opioid fund money to be distributed over the next several years.
“Through national opioid settlements, Rowan County is expected to receive approximately $28 million in yearly payments that started in 2022 and go through 2039 to support evidence-based strategies focused on prevention, treatment, recovery, harm reduction and other efforts to address the ongoing impact of the opioid crisis,” reads information from Rowan Public Health. “Community feedback will help ensure these investments address local needs and create meaningful, lasting change.”
The online portal can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RCPHOpioidSP, which will allow participants to take an online survey. The survey touches on a myriad of topics, from what respondents think caused Rowan’s opioid crisis to rating the county’s response strategies.
The survey has 11 questions and takes about 10 minutes to complete.
The survey is part of a partnership between Rowan Public Health and Centralina Regional Council. Centralina is a Charlotte-based firm that works alongside local agencies and governments to facilitate their needs.
Rowan County is working with Centralina to develop a strategic plan for spending.
Only those 18 and over are allowed to participate. The survey period ends Sept. 18.
According to Rowan County Public Health, the survey will help health officials in a number of ways, including identifying priorities, causes and shortcomings in existing strategies.
The county has already taken steps to implement some mitigation strategies.
“Rowan County Public Health and HOPE (Harm Reduction, Outreach, Prevention and Education) are implementing eight strategies from the Opioid Settlement Memorandum of Agreement (MOA),” reads information from Rowan Public Health.
Those strategies include an emphasis on treatment, addiction services, and early intervention, among others.
Rowan County is among the most represented in opioid deaths, relative to other North Carolina counties.
Last year, opioid-related deaths totaled 39.1 per 100,000 people, giving Rowan County one of the highest rates in the state. In Rowan County, 66.7 percent of opioid deaths involved illicit opioids last year. This figure represents a decrease from the rate in 2024, which was 87.6 percent.
“People who live and work in Rowan County understand firsthand the challenges facing our community,” said Alyssa Harris, public health director at Rowan County Public Health. “This survey gives residents an opportunity to help shape funding priorities and ensure these resources reflect the needs and experiences of those most affected by substance use.”
