Special to IFN
Iredell County officials held the annual opioid settlement funds public meeting during Tuesday’s Board of Commissioners meeting in line with the requirements of the North Carolina Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) tied to the National Opioid Settlement.
The meeting highlighted the County’s use of settlement funds, celebrated program successes, and invited public feedback and engagement.
Terry Lamb-Blankenship, lead peer support specialist for the program with Iredell County EMS, shared updates from the Community Response Support Team, which continues to deliver person-centered, harm-reduction strategies throughout the county.
“Our EMS and Health Department teams meet quarterly for opioid task force meetings, coordinate efforts, and host community trainings — including no-cost Narcan CPR training events,” said Lamb-Blankenship. “Between July 2024 and May 2025, we had over 600 interactions with clients, connected 68 new individuals with services, and celebrated 27 successful placements into stable, sober living environments — many of whom were previously experiencing homelessness.”
Jennifer Kilby, human services planner with the Iredell County Health Department, provided information on prevention and workforce development strategies funded through the opioid settlement.
“Youth Mental Health First Aid is one of our key strategies,” said Kilby. “Through this training, we’ve equipped 42 local professionals — including school resource officers and juvenile program staff — with the tools they need to recognize and respond to early signs of mental health and substance use in youth. We’re also launching teen-focused training in July to help high school students support one another and seek help when needed.”
Kilby also noted successful employment initiatives in partnership with NCWorks, Goodwill, and Mitchell Community College, as well as two community recovery support summits that brought together service providers, residents, and people with lived experience.
“Feedback from our events has been overwhelmingly positive,” she added. “Ninety-nine percent of participants said they gained knowledge, and 93 percent reported applying what they learned.”
The annual meeting reflects Iredell County’s continued commitment to transparency, collaboration, and effective response to the opioid epidemic with representatives from each municipality invited to participate in the discussion. Funding from the National Opioid Settlement supports local strategies focused on prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction.
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For more information about local programs or to get involved, contact Iredell County EMS or the Iredell County Health Department.