Opioid Advisory Committee Meeting - March 17, 2026

Opioid Advisory Committee Meeting Recap: March 17, 2026

The Burke County Opioid Advisory Committee convened on March 17, 2026, to review progress on local opioid response efforts, approve administrative items, and plan for upcoming community initiatives. The meeting focused on data trends, the status of settlement funds, and the development of new service models, including a planned facility-based crisis center.

Key Decisions The committee formally approved the minutes from the previous meeting, incorporating a minor correction to speaker names. Additionally, the body confirmed board appointments, including the reappointment of Katie Olson and Hannah Houston, and the addition of Ava Yamudi, who represents educators.

Discussion Highlights Katie Olson presented an overview of the county’s purpose and values, emphasizing "empathy" as a guiding principle for the committee’s nine-member team. She reported a decrease in EMS overdose calls from 2023 to 2025 and a slight reduction in overdose fatalities, though she noted that pending toxicology reports mean the final 2025 fatality count may be higher. Olson also highlighted a concerning statistic regarding 118 children in foster care due to parental substance use, noting this is likely an undercount.

The committee reviewed the status of opioid settlement funds, noting that $9.5 million has been received out of a total expected disbursement of $25 million over 20 years. Nine active programs are currently funded across five strategies within the NCMOA framework. Brandy from the Opioid Response Department discussed training Burke County schools on naloxone use and managing a community naloxone vending machine. Updates were also provided on the BEAR (Behavioral Emergency Assistance Response) team, which is fully staffed and operational, and the Family Center Treatment & Recovery (FCTR) program, which has seen a significant decrease in drug screenings among participants. High Country Community Health reported high retention rates for its low-barrier medication-assisted treatment (MAT) services.

A significant portion of the discussion involved the planned Facility-Based Crisis Center (FBC), purchased from NC Works. The committee discussed staffing plans, potential partnerships with providers, and the center's role as a first evaluation site. The group also discussed transitioning Burke County’s Recovery Court to a county-led model, potentially mirroring the system in Caldwell County, with several members expressing support for this transition.

Community Input Lee announced an upcoming reentry simulation event at the Foothills Higher Education Center on April 16th, inviting community leaders and residents to participate.

Follow-ups Katie Olson agreed to lead a planning committee for the annual opioid settlement public meeting. The committee will release Requests for Proposals (RFQs) for architectural/engineering and service provider selection related to the Facility-Based Crisis Center. Staff and partners will continue working on funding strategies for ongoing programs and the FBC. The committee will also explore options for a larger-scale annual public meeting, potentially incorporating keynote speakers and vendor booths, and will schedule a planning committee meeting to discuss these initiatives. The committee is scheduled to meet again on May 19th to discuss progress and further planning.

Impact These discussions reflect the committee’s ongoing efforts to address the opioid crisis in Burke County through data-driven strategies and community outreach. The review of settlement funds and the planning for the Facility-Based Crisis Center indicate a continued investment in local infrastructure for treatment and crisis response. The transition of the Recovery Court to a county-led model and the expansion of naloxone access in schools aim to provide more direct and accessible support for residents and families affected by substance use.