NCACC President and Davidson County Commissioner Fred McClure led a presidential initiative focused on confronting the opioid crisis. The cornerstone of the initiative was the County Leadership Forum on Opioid Abuse, which was designed to be a model all 100 counties could replicate. The purpose of the County Leadership Forum on Opioid Abuse was to engage local elected leaders in an informed discussion about the opioid epidemic, and develop collaborative strategies that enhance prevention, education, and treatment.
The goals of the forums were:
- to elevate the awareness of all local elected officials so they have a common understanding of the opioid epidemic in their county;
- to discuss its causes, its effects on citizens, and its implications for the county’s future;
- to educate local elected leaders about successful prevention and treatment programs and provider resources available in their county;
- to generate coordinated education, prevention and treatment strategies to reduce the occurrence of opioid addiction, overdose, and death.
Opioid forum resources
More than 50 counties held opioid forums, and many continue programs conceived during those meetings.
Materials for County Leadership Forum
- Individual County Information
- Project Description (PDF)
- Forum Planning Guide (PDF)
- Sample Letter of Invitation from the Board of County Commissioners Chair (Word Document Download)
- Forum Sample Agenda (Word)
- Facilitator Guide and Overview (PDF)
- Idea Generation Worksheet (Word)
- Name Tag Template (PDF)
- Follow-up Report Template (Word)
- NC Injury and Violence Prevention Branch Overview on Prescription and Drug Overdoses (PDF)
- Facts and Figures on the Opioid Crisis (PDF)
- Summary of Additional Resources (PDF)
- NC AHEC Opioid Contacts
- “A Prescription for Action: Local Leadership in Ending the Opioid Crisis,” a joint report from the National League of Cities and the National Association of Counties (PDF)
- Take Home Press Release (Word)
- NC Department of Justice Online Resource Guide
County Forum Follow-up Reports and Action Plans
- Davidson County Follow-Up Report
- Wilson County Initiatives to Address Opioids & Heroin
- Warren County Follow-Up Report
- Pender County Summary Report
- Cabarrus County Follow-Up Report
- Rockingham County Follow-Up Report
- Halifax County Follow-Up Report
- Martin, Tyrrell, Washington Counties Forum Follow-Up Report
- Columbus County Follow-Up Report
- Rutherford County Follow-Up Report
- Macon County Follow-Up Report
- Gates County Follow-Up Report
- Chatham County Summary Results
- Iredell County Follow-Up Report
- Jackson County Summary Report
- Alamance County Follow-Up Report
- Edgecombe County Follow-Up Report