Wilkes County, NC

Wilkes County Government

north carolina

Rural | Population: 66,013

Wilkes County, North Carolina, faces a severe substance use disorder (SUD) and overdose crisis. With one of the highest drug overdose mortality rates and the highest number of seizures of methamphetamine labs in the state, the county's rural Appalachian population has been disproportionately affected by these issues. The Wilkes County Jail has a significant population of individuals with SUD, and the need for in-custody treatment and post-release recovery support is high. There is a need to expand the jail-based Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program and integrate peer support to reduce recidivism and overdose deaths. 

Key COSSUP Initiatives

Medication-Assisted Treatment

Expand access to medications to treat individuals with opioid use disorders in jails.

Diversion & deflection

Enhance first responder deflection and diversion, aiming to connect individuals to treatment and recovery services.

overdose fatality review team

Establish an overdose fatality review team.

peer recovery support services

Expand and integrate peer recovery specialists with lived experience with Wilkes County’s Community Paramedics.

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).

• Increased public safety

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

• Increased treatment compliance

  With the support of peer recovery specialists and dual-diagnosis treatment services, this project aims to increase treatment compliance and effectiveness. 

Collaborative Partners

• Wilkes County Sheriff’s Office

• Wilkes County Jail

• Wilkes County EMS

• The Health Foundation

• Project Lazarus

• Community Opioid Prevention and Education (COPE) team

Project Director

Chris Huffman
Wilkes County
chuffman@wilkescounty.net
336-990-0423

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.