NC -- January 21, 2026: Continuing a push for a "safer and stronger North Carolina," Governor Josh Stein spent Wednesday in Western North Carolina, highlighting critical investments in addiction recovery and law enforcement support. The Governor’s day included a roundtable in Clay County focused on the impact of opioid settlement funds and a keynote appearance at the 50th Annual North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police (NCACP) Training Conference.
Combatting the Opioid Crisis in Clay County
In Clay County, Governor Stein met with local leaders to review the distribution of more than $2.7 million in settlement funds. These resources are part of the historic $50 billion national settlement Stein helped negotiate during his tenure as Attorney General, targeting the companies responsible for the opioid epidemic.
To address the unique challenges of rural recovery, Clay County has utilized its share of the funds to:
Hire a Peer Support Specialist: Stationed at the local health department to provide lived-experience guidance for those in recovery.
Mobile Outreach: Purchased a dedicated vehicle to reach residents in remote areas who lack reliable transportation to treatment services.
Support Reentry: Funding programs that assist individuals returning to the community after incarceration to prevent relapse.
“An average of six North Carolinians die every day from fentanyl overdoses, and that’s six lives too many,” said Governor Stein. “I will never let up in the fight to help more people live healthy, happy lives free of addiction.”
Strengthening Law Enforcement in Cherokee
Later in the day, Governor Stein traveled to Cherokee to address the NCACP’s milestone 50th annual conference. He used the platform to advocate for his $195 million public safety package, a proposal currently before the General Assembly designed to address critical staffing shortages across the state.
Key components of the Governor's Public Safety Package include:
Salary Increases: Raising starting pay for law enforcement, correctional officers, and youth counselors.
Retention Bonuses: Providing financial incentives for veteran officers to stay in the field.
Recruitment Incentives: Offering bonuses for new recruits and BLET-certified officers relocating from other states.
Mental Health Integration: Funding for behavioral health services to reduce the burden on police responding to mental health crises.
New Tools for Modern Threats
The Governor also touched on emerging safety concerns, noting that the federal Safer Skies Act now empowers North Carolina officers with the training and technology needed to monitor and defend against unauthorized unmanned drones.
Governor Stein concluded his remarks by urging the General Assembly to act on the state budget, emphasizing that North Carolina is at its safest when law enforcement officers are "given the training, resources, and support they need to do their jobs effectively."
WNCTimes
Image: NC Gov Josh Stein's Office