Madison County officials will soon discuss how to use opioid settlement money

MADISON COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — Madison County officials want to clear up some confusion in the community right now surrounding a national opioid settlement.

Leaders say the county is getting money from that settlement.

A coalition of state attorneys general, including North Carolina's, reached the multibillion dollar settlement earlier this year with drug companies.

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The settlement resolves claims that these companies contributed to the opioid crisis.

Madison County leaders say they're excited about the money

"I really don't know where the misunderstanding came from," Interim County Manager and county commissioner Norris Gentry said. "Madison County was one of the very first counties in the state to sign onto this and indeed we have followed through the whole process."

Gentry says the county is getting $1.5 million. The county also got a grant from Dogwood Health Trust to help best distribute the money.

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Tuesday night, the county's health director will present the plans for the money at the county commission work session.

It's at 5 p.m. at the Marshall Main Public Library.