The Brunswick County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on April 21, 2025, focusing on substance use, addiction, and mental health initiatives. The meeting began with a discussion on the need to fill a vacant position on the Substance Use, Addiction, and Mental Health Commission. Commissioners expressed their commitment to supporting this commission and ensuring effective communication of available resources, such as the behavioral health hotline.

Eric Fisher introduced members of the commission, including Chair Josh Torvitch and Laura Truman, who presented updates on youth prevention services. Torvitch shared a personal story highlighting the impact of substance abuse on youth, emphasizing the importance of prevention efforts in the community. He noted that while treatment services are crucial, proactive measures are necessary to prevent substance abuse before it starts.

Truman reported encouraging statistics regarding overdose deaths in North Carolina, which saw a 27% decrease in 2024. However, Brunswick County's data showed only an 11% decrease in emergency department visits for overdoses, indicating a need for continued focus on prevention strategies.

The presentation outlined various risk factors for youth substance abuse, including parental substance abuse, mental health issues, and socioeconomic challenges. Notably, 61.5% of children in foster care in Brunswick County were placed there due to parental substance abuse, significantly higher than the state average of 45%.

The commission proposed several action items to address these issues, including enhancing clinical assessments for youth involved in the justice system, increasing local residential treatment options, and establishing mentoring programs. They also suggested a collaborative effort to review and improve health education curricula in schools to ensure evidence-based practices are being taught.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the importance of community engagement and proactive measures in addressing substance use and mental health challenges among youth in Brunswick County. The commission plans to continue its efforts in prevention and support for affected families, with a focus on creating a comprehensive action plan to tackle these pressing issues.