Addiction Resources

Substance Use was a top CHA priority in Alexander County from 2014 through 2022.

The Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Prevention Coalition formed as a sub-committee off of Healthy Alexandrians in 2018 in response to the Community Health Assessment performed by the Alexander County Health Department (ACHD).

The SUD Coalition was held by ACHD as a public meeting once quarterly (February, May, August, November) in the ACHD Large Conference Room. This group worked to reduce illicit drug usage and decrease overdoses. They developed educational materials, prevention programs, and discussed various ways to utilize Opioid Settlement Funds in the county.

This group also facilitated the development of the PORT program in Alexander County. The 2025 CHA did not identify SUD as a health priority. Therefore, the SUD Coalition dissolved and the work is being continued by the SUPPORT Coalition with Alexander County EMS/PORT. Contact 828-352-7824 for more information about SUPPORT.

In July 2021, NC Attorney General Josh Stein announced a settlement agreement concerning litigation against several pharmaceutical distributors and manufacturers for their role in creating the opioid epidemic. The national settlement totaled $26 billion, with $750 million awarded to North Carolina. Funding could increase as additional litigation is settled.

Alexander County will receive approximately $5,939,542 over a period of 18 years through the North Carolina Opioid Settlements, as a result of litigation against several pharmaceutical distributors and manufacturers for their role in creating the opioid epidemic. Alexander County, as well as other communities across the state and nation, can use these funds to battle the opioid epidemic by providing treatment, recovery, harm reduction, and other life-saving programs and services. The funds can only be used for strategies which address the negative impacts that opioid use has had on citizens. For more information, including North Carolina’s Opioid Settlement dashboard, visit NC Opioid Settlement Fund

The Post Overdose Response Team (PORT) is housed under Alexander County EMS and consists of one Community Paramedic, one part time Peer Support Specialist, and one volunteer Peer Support Specialist.

The responsibility of PORT is to respond to ALL overdose calls in Alexander County within 0-72 hours and follow-up with all individuals seeking rehabilitation services from substances as well as support for victims and their families.

Since PORT’s origin in Alexander County, one of the first steps was to increase the availability of Narcan (naloxone), which can reverse an opioid overdose. Local agencies including EMS, Health Department, and the Sheriff’s Office have naloxone on hand to treat overdose victims and save their lives.

Other PORT Initiatives:
Overdose Kits (Resource Information, Fentanyl & Xylazine Test Strips, Narcan)
Substance Use Education Events (see calendar)
Harm Reduction
Narcan Vending Machines Located at the Stony Point Library & Inside the 957 Mobile Cafe
Recovery University
Peer Support Services
Visit the EMS-PORT page