Opioid Advisory Committee Meeting

Opioid Advisory Committee Meeting Recap: Progress and Future Directions for Burke County

On January 20, 2026, the Opioid Advisory Committee convened to review progress in addressing the opioid crisis within Burke County and discuss plans for utilizing significant funding received from opioid settlement money. The meeting, attended by committee members and county officials, provided a detailed update on current trends, considered proposals for expanding services, and outlined next steps in the county’s ongoing response to this critical public health challenge.

A significant portion of the meeting focused on reviewing recent data and evaluating existing programs. Presenters highlighted encouraging trends, including a notable decrease in emergency department visits related to overdoses, fewer EMS calls suspected to be overdose-related (93 cases in 2025), and a reduction in overdose fatalities from 60 to 50 in the previous year. Furthermore, there's been a decrease in foster care entries linked to parental substance use. While these figures represent positive progress, Katie, the presenter of this data, emphasized that treatment uptake rates have remained flat, indicating a need to prioritize expanding peer support and strengthening the network of providers. Updates were also provided on initiatives like the Bear Team (mobile response unit) and the Burke County Recovery Court, both demonstrating positive results.

The committee then engaged in a robust discussion regarding the allocation of approximately $6.2 million in unallocated opioid settlement funds. Options under consideration included renewing the existing Request for Proposals (RFP) process or defining specific strategic priorities for future spending. A key proposal presented by Drew centered on a partnership with Burke Recovery to provide comprehensive clinical assessments, aiming to conduct roughly 450 assessments annually. This would involve a licensed clinical addiction specialist rapidly assessing individuals and connecting them to treatment within 14 days, leveraging Medicaid billing for long-term sustainability. Concerns were raised about potential duplication of services and the ongoing challenge of staff turnover within these programs, prompting a discussion on ensuring program sustainability.

Following extensive debate and consideration of the proposal's potential impact, the committee unanimously voted to move forward with Burke Recovery’s clinical assessment plan. This decision is contingent on potential adjustments to goals and numbers, with final approval ultimately resting with the Board of Commissioners.

Notably, there were no public comments received during this meeting. However, the committee acknowledged the importance of continued community engagement and collaboration in addressing the opioid crisis effectively.

Looking ahead, several key action items were identified: The Board of Commissioners will now review and vote on the Burke Recovery proposal. The committee itself will continue to closely monitor overdose trends, treatment participation rates, and the performance of currently funded programs. Further exploration will be conducted into Medicaid reimbursement options for the Family Center Treatment (FCTR) program. Finally, the committee will begin exploring strategic priorities within the broader opioid response plan, including potential prevention efforts and the feasibility of a future facility-based crisis center.

This meeting underscored Burke County’s ongoing commitment to tackling the opioid crisis through data-driven decision-making, collaborative partnerships, and a focus on expanding access to vital treatment services for residents in need. The decisions made will directly impact the availability and quality of care offered to individuals struggling with substance use disorder, ultimately contributing to a healthier and safer community for all.