Person County received a share of settlement funds derived from national lawsuits brought by state and local governments across the US against opioid manufacturers, marketers, distributors, and retailers. The Person County Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee (OSAC) was created to review needs in Person County and provide spending recommendations, in line with spending options provided in the NC Memorandum of Agreement. The committee's overall goal is to implement evidence-based programs and practices to reduce the negative impacts of opioid use. Two spending strategies were recommended by the OSAC and approved by the Person County Board of County Commissioners. The first strategy is a Post Overdose Response Team, which will provide resources and access to care to individuals who have experienced a non-fatal overdose. The second strategy is Early Intervention. Person County Schools personnel will be working to identify and intervene for Person County children and youth in need. 

The Post Overdose Response Team will aim to serve persons who have experienced non-fatal drug overdoses.

Children and adolescents who are struggling with problematic use of drugs or mental health conditions or at-risk for problematic use of drugs or mental health conditions are the target audiences for the Early Intervention strategy.

The intention of the Post Overdose Response Team is to connect persons who have non-fatal drug overdoses to addiction treatment, recovery support, harm reduction services, primary healthcare, or other services or supports they need to improve their health or well-being.

The Early Intervention strategy will support identification and intervention for target audiences. Training programs will be offered targeting parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services professionals, or others in contact with potential target audiences.

In 2023, the OSAC expanded its membership and became more robust. An annual meeting was held in the spring to present plans to date and to gather input from the community. The OSAC conducted a community survey to assess how funds should be spent and what they should support. There were 177 responses to the survey.

The Person County Board of County Commissioners approved spending funds to support a Post Overdose Response Team and an Early Intervention strategy. Funding for the Post Overdose Response Team will support initial start up costs, recurring operating costs, recurring personnel costs, and an additional contingency fund.  Funds will be managed by Person County's Emergency Management Department.  Funds designated for the Early Intervention strategy will support salary/benefits for a position, additional materials, trainings, external referrals, and other related costs to advance qualifying activities and services. Personnel will be hired through Person County Schools. Funds will be managed by Person County Health Department. 

In quarter four of FY 2024, a Substance Use Education Specialist (SUES) was onboarded through Person County Schools. The SUES began servicing students and making referrals shortly after the start of the new school year.  

An annual meeting was held in the spring. The approved spending plan was presented and progress from FY 2024 was reviewed.