New Hanover County to Host Public Meeting on Opioid Settlement Fund Use

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, N.C. — In accordance with the North Carolina Memorandum of Agreement tied to the National Opioid Settlement, New Hanover County will hold its annual public meeting at 9 a.m. on Friday, January 16, in Rooms 138–139 of the New Hanover County Government Center, located at 230 Government Center Drive.

The meeting is open to the public and will outline how opioid settlement funds were allocated during Fiscal Year 2025–26. County officials will present an overview of the programs and initiatives that received funding and explain how these investments are being used to address substance use disorders across the community.

Over the next 18 years, New Hanover County is expected to receive approximately $36 million from the initial national opioid settlement. The county is coordinating closely with the City of Wilmington to ensure the funds are used strategically and equitably to meet local needs.

New Hanover County’s funding approach prioritizes comprehensive, wraparound services that support individuals affected by substance use disorders. This includes prevention and education efforts, community outreach, improved access to treatment, recovery support services, and programs that promote long-term health and overall well-being.

Organizations receiving funding through the settlement include Coastal Horizons, Coastal Horizons/OpiAID, Eckel + Vaughn, Face the Music, The Healing Place, LINC, MedNorth, New Hanover County Health and Human Services, the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, Novant Health, and Tides Inc.

Community members are encouraged to attend the meeting to learn more about how settlement funds are being invested and to better understand the county’s ongoing efforts to address the impacts of the opioid crisis.

Source: New Hangover County