This information was compiled based on information from publicly available legislation, state memorandums or executive orders, state websites, and press releases, as well as supplemental interviews with state officials with a role in administering opioid settlement funding.
It offers a snapshot of settlement spending and priorities at the state level (e.g., funding administered by state agencies or designated statewide abatement funds) as well as laws, agreements, and processes that the state has established for allocating funds. NASHP does not track spending at the local or county level, but includes any relevant state-level reports or dashboards that capture local spending within a state. For details on the definitions used here, check out the definitions at the bottom of this page. You can also get an overview of opioid settlement decisions in all states.
Settlement Spending Status
Background
While the majority of North Carolina’s settlement funding is appropriated directly to county and municipal governments, the remaining 15 percent is appropriated by the state General Assembly to distribute for statewide opioid abatement projects. CORE-NC, a collaboration between the Department of Justice, Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the North Carolina Association of County Commissions, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) Injury Prevention Research Center, helps to support transparency and technical assistance efforts related to settlement spending at both the state and local levels.
Has the state awarded settlement funds?
Yes. Awards from the state’s portion of settlement funding were announced to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the University of North Carolina (UNC) for fiscal years 2023–2024 and 2024–2025. The state’s settlement website highlights specific programs that each organization will fund with its allocations. UNC allocations will be used as grant opportunities for opioid abatement research and development projects and a study on recovery courts, while DHHS allocations will fund a variety of local nonprofits and counties.
Has the state announced priorities or recommendations for spending?
No publicly available information.
Previous spending details
The CORE-NC site stores information on previous year’s settlement allocations, beginning in fiscal year 2021.
Statewide reporting of local spending
The majority of North Carolina’s settlement funding goes to local governments. The state’s opioid settlement site features robust data from localities receiving settlement funding, including a past spending dashboard reflecting specific abatement strategies funded by localities and a planned spending dashboard reflecting strategies that localities plan to fund.
State Settlement Website or Dashboard
Process for Settlement Disbursement
Legislation requires the state share of settlement funding to be allocated by the General Assembly.
State and Political Subdivision Split
Structure
Locally Controlled (>50 percent of funding controlled by cities and/or counties)
Allocation Formula
15 percent state, 80 percent abatement funds established by local governments, 5 percent County Incentive Fund
Role of Advisory Committee
Not applicable.
State Annual Report
Not applicable.
