Naloxone Distribution

Gaston County requests proposals for naloxone distribution programs and services to address the opioid epidemic in our community.

Gaston County will receive more than $40 million over 18 years as part of the National Opioid Settlements that will bring critical support to help communities harmed by the opioid epidemic. Gaston County leaders, healthcare partners, treatment providers, stakeholders, those with lived experience, and others helped develop the County’s initial opioid settlement spending plan. As part of the spending plan, $400,000 will be invested in naloxone distribution programs under Exhibit A, Strategy 7, as defined by the North Carolina Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the State and local governments. The MOA directs how opioid funds are distributed and used across the state.

The $400,000 for naloxone distribution programs will be allocated through a competitive community application process. The County is currently accepting submissions for proposals that address the following identified needs in our community:

• Support programs or organizations that distribute naloxone to persons at risk of overdose or their social networks, such as Syringe Service Programs, post-overdose response teams, programs that provide naloxone to persons upon release from jail or prison, emergency medical service providers or hospital emergency departments that provide naloxone to persons at risk of overdose, or community-based organizations that provide services to people who use drugs. Programs or organizations involved in community distribution of naloxone may, in addition, provide naloxone to first responders.

Funding period: January 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027.

Proposals must meet a minimum threshold of $20,000 for the funding period.

Applicants should review the full text of the NC MOA and additional information at the NC MOA Resource Center.

Additional note for proposals to expand an organization’s current programming

Please explain your organization’s funding structure and why you are unable to meet the current demand.

Core Principles

Gaston County is committed to investing opioid settlement funds in programs that:

1. Address health disparities
2. Avoid duplication of effort
3. Demonstrate collective impact by leveraging other funding sources
4. Consider sustainability in their proposal
5. Demonstrate potential for strong impact and outcomes
6. Follow a trauma-informed model
7. Reduce stigma
8. Support equitable outcomes for historically marginalized populations
9. Use the evidence-based harm reduction approach
10. Expand programs with successful outcomes