U.S. Attorney Murray Announces That The Justice Department Has Awarded More Than $333 Million To Fight The Opioid Crisis

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs today announced awards of more than $333 million to help communities affected by the opioid crisis, of which more than $3.5 million will help public safety and public health professionals in the Western District of North Carolina to combat substance abuse and respond effectively to overdoses. OJP Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan and U.S. Attorney Andrew Murray made the announcement.

“The opioid crisis has destroyed far too many lives and left too many Americans feeling helpless and hopeless,” said PDAAG Sullivan. “This epidemic—the most deadly in our nation’s history—is introducing new dangers and loading public health responsibilities onto the public safety duties of our law enforcement officers. The Department of Justice is here to support them during this unprecedented and extremely challenging time.”

With more than 130 people dying from opioid-related overdoses every day, the Department of Justice has made fighting addiction to opioids—including heroin and fentanyl—a national priority. The Trump Administration is providing critical funding for a wide range of activities—from preventive services and comprehensive treatment to recovery assistance, forensic science services and research—to help save lives and break the cycle of addiction and crime.

“Opioid abuse and addiction are rampant nationwide, and unfortunately, Western North Carolina is not immune from this national epidemic. Federal funding provided by the Justice Department to counties in this district will go a long way toward providing much-needed services to the communities hardest hit by the widespread abuse of opioids,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. 

The awards announced today support an array of activities designed to reduce the harm inflicted by these dangerous drugs. Grants will help law enforcement officers, emergency responders and treatment professionals coordinate their response to overdoses. Funds will also provide services for children and youth affected by the crisis and will support the nationwide network of drug and treatment courts. Other awards will address prescription drug abuse, expand the capacity of forensic labs and support opioid-related research.

The following awards, totaling $3,555,478, were made to agencies and counties in the Western District of North Carolina, to support comprehensive abuse site-based programs, and/or adult drug court and treatment court for veterans.

• Buncombe County Health and Human Services - $878,803.
• Rutherford County - $600,000.
• Burke County - $600,000.
• Appalachian District Health Department - $551,257.
• Catawba County - $500,000.
• Cleveland County Health Department - $425,418

Information about the programs and awards announced today is available here. For more information about OJP awards, visit the OJP Awards Data webpage.

The Office of Justice Programs, directed by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan, provides federal leadership, grants, training and technical assistance, and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal and juvenile justice systems. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.