Gaston Gets 43 Million In Drug Settlement Money
By: Rusty Wise – Wise News Network
Cherryville, NC (WNN) – On August 29th, the Gaston County Community Support Services Department held the last of three community town hall meetings in Cherryville to discuss how the 43 million in drug settlement money will be spent in Gaston County, NC. Cherryville and Gaston County, NC, are not immune to the current national health crisis of opioid addiction.
Where Does The Money Come From?
In 2021, nationwide settlements were reached to resolve all opioid litigation brought by states and local political subdivisions against the three largest pharmaceutical distributors: McKesson, Cardinal Health, and AmerisourceBergen. They also reached settlements against manufacturer Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and its parent company, Johnson & Johnson. These settlements have been finalized, and payments have already begun. The Distributors will pay up to $21 billion over 18 years, and J&J will pay up to an additional $5 billion over no more than nine years.
In late 2022, agreements were announced with three pharmacy chainsโCVS, Walgreens, and Walmartโand two additional manufacturers, Allergan and Teva. In January 2023, each pharmacy chain and manufacturer confirmed that a sufficient number of states had agreed to the settlements to proceed. The national payout will be over 50 billion dollars, and North Carolina should receive approximately 1.5 billion of the funds.
How much for Gaston County, NC?
Gaston County expects to receive $43 million in drug settlement money over the next 18 years to fund various departments. Since receiving the funds in fiscal year 2022, it has received more than $8.7 million. Five key strategies have been designated as areas of focus.
1. Evidence-based Addiction Treatment
2. Early Intervention
4. Naloxone Distribution
3. Recovery Support
5. Collaborative Strategic Planning
Gaston County has funded nine programs, including the Gaston Emergency Medical Services (GEMS) Community Paramedicine Program and Post Overdose Response Team, Recovery Transportation, peer support services, and affordable Medication Assisted Treatment for Gaston County residents.
According to Gaston Emergency Medical Services (GEMS), there have been 3,188 reported opioid overdoses from 2021 to 2024 year-to-date, and between 2021 and 2023, approximately 326 of those overdoses were fatal.
Thought’s From Officials
Various officials, including Gaston County District Attorney Travis Page, spoke during the Cherryville meeting. During the meeting, Page, a native of Cherryville, stated:
“When I took office in 2021, I heard a staggering statistic that here in Gaston County, we had about 483 kids in foster care. Well, you’d say, what does that have to do with drugs? 70% of those kids were in foster care and out of their homes because of some substance use issue from one of their parents.”
Page went on to state that the issue of the drug crisis in Gaston County is a supply and demand issue. First is the supply and stricter penalties for deaths linked to drugs – “We can prosecute that under new laws from our legislators in Raleigh for essentially the equivalent of second-degree murder. And so we’re going after dealers aggressively for those types of cases”. Also, on the demand side, Page stated they have started two recovery courts in Gaston County. One specifically tailored to the veteran community. “We have a veterans treatment court here in Gaston County. It’s the seventh one in North Carolina”.
Reverend Michelle Mathis, co-founder and executive director of Olive Branch Ministry, discussed the issue of stereotyping addicted individuals.
“Consider this when we label someone as a junkie or an addict, we reinforce negative stereotypes that paint their whole being with a broad brush. This language not only diminishes their dignity but also dissuades them from seeking help due to fear of judgment. Imagine how this fear can keep someone from going to a doctor, entering treatment, or reaching out for support services that are essential for recovery or help. There are no addicts that live in Cherryville; there are citizens who have substance use disorder and challenges around using substances, but these are citizens who deserve the same treatment, equity, and access to health care as everyone else,” stated Mathis.
A Local Tragedy Story
Much information was presented during the two-hour meeting, but no one struck the emotion as Cherryville resident Connie Fox. Fox’s son, Matthew Seth Fox, died of a fentanyl drug overdose in 2020 in the basement of her home. When asked what could have saved her son, Fox stated that she thought the court system was too lenient on her son for various crimes and usually just got a slap on the wrist. “I wished they would have kept him longer.”
While addiction affects all ages, genders, races, and demographics, it was also mentioned that 73% of individuals currently served by the program are housing-challenged in Gaston County.
Drugs Are Profitable
The “legal” drug companies started the addiction process by misrepresenting the drugs as well as the overprescribing by doctors and pharmacies; now, the “illegal” drug manufacturers have taken over. Much of today’s opioid crisis drugs are manufactured by drug dealers and laced with various fillers, including deadly levels of fentanyl.
There is a tremendous amount of money to be made off of drugs, legal or illegal. You know there are huge profits when drug companies and pharmacies can pay back billions. Hopefully, after 18 years of this program spending, we eradicate the drug problem, and no more money or programs will be needed when this round of money is used up.
Ultimate Goal
And the ultimate end goal for the drug settlement money, per District Attorney Travis Page – “To make it where it’s too expensive for drug dealers to do business here in Gaston County, and they have no clientele because no one wants it.”
For more information and details on the Opiod Settlement Funds, go to:
https://www.gastongov.com/1193/Opioid-Settlement-Funds-Dashboard
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