Berkeley County receives $1.2 million in national opioid settlement

BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – Berkeley County has received $1.2 million as part of a national opioid settlement to distribute to local agencies and organizations fighting the opioid epidemic.

Berkeley County officials say eligible applicants include organizations and agencies who work directly on the front lines of the opioid epidemic and/or assist in opioid addiction recovery or preventative services.

Officials say the funding must be used for one or more of the following approved opioid remediation uses:

• Naloxone or Other FDA-Approved Drug to Reverse Opioid Overdoses
• Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Distribution and Other Opioid-Related Treatment
• Pregnant and Postpartum Women
• Expanding Treatment for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS)
• Expansion of Warm Handoff Programs and Recovery Services
• Treatment for Incarcerated Population
• Prevention Programs
• Expanding Syringe Service Programs
• Evidence-Based Data Collection and Research Analyzing the Effectiveness of the Abatement Strategies within the State

Berkeley County’s installment of $1,244,050.95 is part of a $26 billion national opioid settlement that stems from manufacturers, distributors, and pharmacies involved in the opioid process, reports say.

Officials added South Carolina is set to receive its settlement share of more than $360 million over the next 18 years. 92% of funds will be used to address the opioid crisis across the state.

According to Berkeley County officials, more than $100 million will be disbursed to nonprofits, hospitals, state agencies and other organizations to help address the epidemic.

Berkeley County is still awaiting approval by the state before distributing the funds, Berkeley County officials state.

Eligible organizations and nonprofits may apply for the grant here. The application period will open May 31 at 8 a.m. and remain open through June 14, officials added.