Fayetteville Deploys $163,800 in Opioid Settlement Money for Police Training
The money funds a four-hour online class teaching them how to handle situations involving people struggling with opioid addiction and mental health problems.
Fayetteville City Council greenlit $163,800 from opioid settlement money on Nov. 10. The cash funds a new police training program. Officers will take the Fayetteville State University Operational Readiness for Police Officers Course, a four-hour online class teaching them how to handle situations involving people struggling with opioid addiction and mental health problems.
North Carolina helped hammer out more than $50 billion in settlements with opioid makers, sellers, and stores across the country. The state expects $1.4 billion over 18 years.
Fayetteville joined those settlements and got $3.74 million through 2038. So far, the city has pulled in about $1.3 million. Officials have set aside $671,300 for specific projects.
"We want to be intentional in our efforts to ensure their continued operation, and so not all funds are deployed as soon as they are received," said David Scott, communications manager for the city, according to CityView NC.
The council approved $202,000 in August 2023 to start a LEAD program with the North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition. Another $104,000 went toward expanding the program in June 2025.
LEAD lets police redirect people caught up in minor drug offenses or sex work to community help instead of sending them to jail. A 2023-2024 impact report showed the program brought in 17 new participants, made 35 referrals for wraparound services, and connected people to care 60 more times.
In October 2024, the council set aside $201,500 for Myrover-Reese Fellowship Homes. This program runs three recovery houses serving up to 42 individuals.
Cumberland County will receive more than $31.8 million in opioid settlement money through 2038. The county has spent $1.3 million and plans to invest $4.3 million over the next four years.
