Halifax County joined 76 other North Carolina counties and eight municipalities in national litigation against certain opioid manufacturers and distributors and signed a Memorandum of Agreement with North Carolina to receive settlement funds. 

Other litigation is pending.

Over the next 18 years, Halifax County will receive a portion of settlement funds on an annual basis, totaling $2.9 million.

The Halifax County Board of Commissioners seeks input from municipal, health care, and community leaders, as well as first responders and law enforcement, about the impacts of opioid use and innovative ideas to mitigate this crisis. 

On October 5 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. there will be an opioid crisis community convening forum on Wednesday, October 5 at the Halifax County Agricultural Center Auditorium located at 357 Ferrell Lane in Halifax.

According to the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, “The NCMOA is designed to maximize the share of opioid settlement funds received in the state to help abate the harm caused by opioids and ensure the resources reach communities as quickly, effectively, and directly as possible.”

Settlement funds were allocated based on the local impact of the opioid crisis, including opioid use disorder, overdose deaths, and the amount of opioids in each county. 

The NCMOA gives local governments two options to use their settlement funds. 

Under Option A, a local government may fund one or more strategies from a shorter list of evidence-based, high-impact strategies to address the epidemic. 

Under Option B, a local government may fund one or more strategies from a longer list of strategies after engaging in a collaborative strategic planning process involving a diverse array of stakeholders at the local level.

During the community convening, speakers will be given up to five minutes to offer comments and present ideas for uses of the opioid settlement funding. 

The public is welcome to drop in or stay for the entire time. Speakers may be contacted to provide additional information. For more information, contact the Halifax County Manager’s Office at 252-583-1131.