Wake County Approves $19.4 Million in Opioid Settlement Funds for 2026-2027
Wake County Board of Commissioners approves $19.4 million funding plan for fiscal years 2026-2027, expanding addiction treatment, recovery housing, and overdose prevention programs.
The Wake County Board of Commissioners has approved a $19.4 million funding plan for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, directing opioid settlement dollars toward expanding addiction treatment, recovery support services, and overdose prevention initiatives across North Carolina's most populous county.
The allocation represents the second major phase of Wake County's participation in the National Opioid Settlement, a historic $26 billion agreement reached in 2021 between state attorneys general and major pharmaceutical companies. Over the full 18-year settlement period, Wake County will receive approximately $65.6 million to combat the opioid epidemic.
What the $19.4 Million Will Fund
The FY 2026-2027 funding plan builds on the county's initial $7.5 million allocation for fiscal year 2025, which supported 23 projects through more than $6.5 million in direct grants to local organizations. The new funding cycle maintains focus on four priority areas identified through extensive community input:
Opioid Use Disorder Treatment
A significant portion of the settlement funds will expand access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder. This includes support for methadone clinics, buprenorphine providers, and comprehensive treatment centers that combine FDA-approved medications with counseling and behavioral therapies.
Organizations like Morse Clinic of North Raleigh and Raleigh Comprehensive Treatment Center received previous funding to provide MAT services, and the new allocation will enable continued and expanded access to these evidence-based treatments.
Recovery Housing and Support Services
The funding plan prioritizes recovery housing for individuals transitioning from residential treatment or seeking stable housing while receiving outpatient care. Previous grants supported programs like Emmaus House, which expanded recovery housing specifically for men on medication-assisted treatment, and Fathers Forever, providing transitional housing and comprehensive support services.
Urban Ministries of Wake County used settlement funds to cover move-in costs and rental assistance for unhoused women with opioid use disorder through the Helen Wright Center for Women. The new funding cycle will continue these housing stabilization efforts.
Early Intervention and Youth Programs
Recognizing that prevention and early intervention are critical to reducing future addiction rates, the county is investing in programs targeting young people. The Boys and Girls Club of Wake County received previous funding to expand early intervention programs and hire staff trained in youth mental health first aid.
Wake Monarch Academy, which provides a recovery-based educational environment for students, partnered with community organizations to develop adolescent "alternative peer group" programs for at-risk youth ages 13-21 struggling with mental health and substance use disorders.
Naloxone Distribution and Harm Reduction
Expanding access to naloxone, the life-saving overdose reversal medication, remains a key priority. The North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition received previous funding to distribute naloxone through fixed sites, mobile syringe service programs, and an innovative mail-based distribution system.
Illuminate NC and other community partners continue working to ensure that naloxone reaches Wake County residents at highest risk of overdose, including training programs to teach community members how to recognize overdose signs and administer the medication.
Community-Driven Planning Process
Wake County's approach to opioid settlement spending emphasizes community input and transparency. The county established the Wake Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee, comprising representatives from key community partners, to provide guidance on funding priorities.
An annual community meeting held on June 24, 2026, provided residents with updates on fund allocation and gathered feedback to inform future spending decisions. The county also maintains an online survey allowing community members to directly influence the Opioid Settlement Spending Plan.
"We want to hear from you," the county notes on its National Opioid Settlement webpage. "Wake County is receiving opioid settlement funds that provide an important opportunity to expand needed services and support for people with opioid use disorder or at risk of an overdose in our community."
North Carolina's Broader Settlement Context
Wake County's funding represents a portion of North Carolina's $1.5 billion share of the national opioid settlement. The state has established the Core NC Dashboard to track settlement payments and allocations across all 100 counties, providing transparency in how these critical funds are distributed.
The settlement funds come at a crucial time for North Carolina. While Governor Josh Stein highlighted recent declines in overdose deaths during a May 2026 visit to Hope Haven, a substance abuse rehabilitation center in Charlotte, state health officials note that overdose rates remain above pre-pandemic levels.
What This Means for Families
For families in Wake County seeking addiction treatment or recovery support, the expanded funding means:
- More treatment slots at local MAT providers and comprehensive treatment centers
- Additional recovery housing options for individuals transitioning between levels of care
- Enhanced youth programs providing early intervention and prevention services
- Free naloxone available through multiple distribution channels
- Peer support services connecting individuals with lived experience in recovery
Families can access these services through Alliance Health, the managed care organization serving Wake County, by calling 800-510-9132 or visiting allianceforaction.org.
What's Next
Wake County will continue accepting proposals from local nonprofit organizations through competitive funding processes. Organizations interested in applying for opioid settlement grants can monitor the county's National Opioid Settlement webpage for future request-for-proposal announcements.
The county also encourages residents to sign up for the opioid settlement newsletter to receive regular updates on funding allocations, community meetings, and available services.
As the opioid crisis continues to evolve, Wake County's multi-year funding commitment provides a sustained resource for addressing addiction and supporting recovery across the community.
If you or someone you know is struggling with opioid addiction, help is available 24/7 through the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 or the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
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