DEFT requesting proposals for opioid treatment, recovery programs in Richmond County

ROCKINGHAM — Organizations looking to put a dent in the local opioid epidemic can once again apply for funding from the Richmond County Drug Endangered Family Task Force.

DEFT announced on Feb. 14 the release of the latest request for proposals to expend funds from the county’s portion of the opioid settlement.

Qualified applicants should have programs that target opioid or substance use disorder, addiction treatment, recovery support or drug intervention.

Each applicant can apply for up to $75,000, with a total of $150,000 set aside for this round of funding. Applicants are required to provide a 10% match.

Eligible applicants include: local public and government agencies; local public or private schools; 501(c)3 nonprofit corporations or organizations; private for-profit providers or organizations; and local housing authorities.

There will be a mandatory pre-application meeting for all applicants on Monday, Feb. 24 in the large classroom at the Human Services Complex.

Funds are expected to be distributed in July.

For more information, visit the opioid settlement page on the county’s website.

While DEFT accepts the applications and recommends programs for funding, the Richmond County Board of Commissioners has the final approval of expenditures.

The board has approved nearly $200,000 from the opioid settlement in the past year for Samaritan Colony’s treatment program for men, which reportedly served a total of 22 clients from July to December, with 14 completing the program.

Samaritan Colony, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, will soon be opening the SECU Women’s Recovery Center.

Others to receive DEFT grants include Sandhills Best Care, Richmond County Schools and Richmond Community College.

Commissioners have also previously approved funding for a treatment program at the Richmond County Jail and to provide naloxone to first responders. 

During a special meeting on Feb. 3, Dr. Tommy Jarrell told commissioners that the county is set to receive around $9 million from various settlements. 

Jarrell added that another settlement had just been reached — a $7.4 million settlement with Purdue Pharma — with additional funds coming to the county. However, he added that the amount for each county had not yet been determined.