Henderson County, NC

Henderson County Government

north carolina

Suburban | Population: 284,637

Henderson County, North Carolina, is facing an escalating substance use crisis, particularly driven by substances like fentanyl and methamphetamine. Between 2020 and 2022, overdose deaths in the county increased by 22.9%, with opioids accounting for a rate of 36.6 deaths per 100,000 residents in 2023, well above the national average. Polysubstance use involving fentanyl and xylazine further complicates overdose responses. The criminal justice system has been significantly impacted, with nearly 43% of incarcerated individuals charged with drug-related crimes. Justice-involved individuals are 40 times more likely to suffer fatal overdoses within two weeks of release due to inadequate reentry planning and treatment continuity.  

Key COSSUP Initiatives

Medication-Assisted Treatment

Implement medications for opioid use disorders in the Henderson County detention centers.

Connect individuals to community-based MAT providers upon release.

peer recovery support services

Embed peer recovery services at key intercepts such as detention centers, emergency departments, and post-hospital discharge.

Strengthen recovery-to-employment pathways through partnerships with local businesses and employment agencies.

overdose prevention services

Disseminate naloxone kits paired with training for first responders and at-risk populations.

community education

Establish a centralized clearinghouse to streamline access to prevention, treatment, and recovery resources.

Raise awareness about substance use through workshops, media campaigns, and outreach efforts tailored to high-risk communities.

Anticipated Benefits of Project

• Reduction in overdose fatalities

  This project aims to reduce overdose fatalities through access to timely and effective treatment, including medications for opioid use disorders (MOUD) and naloxone distribution. 

• Increased public safety

  This project aims to increase public safety through seamlessly transitioning individuals from treatment in custody to community-based treatment.

• Improved reentry outcomes

  This project aims to improve the reentry process and therefore reduce recidivism by addressing barriers to treatment, including employment. 

Collaborative Partners

• Henderson County Sheriff’s Office

• Henderson County Department of Public Health

• UNC Health Pardee Hospital

• Hope Coalition

• RHA Mobile Crisis Services

• Baldwin Group

Project Director

Michelle Geiser
National Certified Counselor
hoperxmm@gmail.com
828-708-8474

This project was supported by Grant No. 15PBJA23GK02258COAP awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and the SMART Office. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.