NORTH CAROLINA-- Ten local government teams across the state were chosen to address the opioid crisis in their communities, through an intensive two-year program.

  • Selections based on regional and economic diversity and the severity of opioid-related issues in each community.
  • Will meet five times over the next two years to share ideas about how to combat the crisis and track progress.
  • Forsyth, Durham, Mecklenberg, Cumberland and Onslow counties made the list.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina and the UNC School of Government made the selections based on regional and economic diversity, and the severity of opioid-related issues in each community.

The teams will meet five times over the next two years to share ideas about how to combat the crisis and track progress.

"It's one thing for us to be able to go out and run a call and identify if you have an addiction or substance abuse problem," said Matthew Montsinger, a community paramedic at Forsyth County EMS. "However, it's another thing to have that team approach where we can work with community partners and state level partners to as what the next steps are."

Regions in our coverage area that made the list include Forsyth, Durham, Mecklenberg, Cumberland and Onslow counties.