N.C. receives $1.2 million in grants to fight opioid epidemic in rural communities

Six health care organizations in rural North Carolina communities will share $1.2 million in federal grant funds to strengthen and expand their response to opioid use disorder with increased planning; prevention; evidence-based treatment, including medication-assisted treatment; and recovery service delivery. As part of the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program – a Health Resources and Services Administration’s multi-year initiative – this grant funding will award $200,000 per recipient to help reduce the morbidity and mortality of substance use disorder, including opioid use disorder, in high-risk rural communities. The six awardees are Ashe Memorial Hospital in Jefferson, Coastal Horizons Center in Wilmington, North Carolina Quality Healthcare Alliance in Chapel Hill, Robeson Health Care Corporation in Pembroke, United Way of Rutherford County in Forest City, and Wilson Substance Abuse Coalition in Wilson.