Money from the national opioid settlement is reaching Florence, South Carolina, and the city is deciding which local organizations get it. For residents looking for opioid addiction treatment in Florence, SC, that means the mix of programs available locally is about to shift.
Florence is set to receive roughly $2.3 million by 2040 from a $26 billion settlement with major pharmaceutical companies finalized in 2022, WMBF News reported. The city is now in the third phase of distributing those funds.
What the Funding Pays For
City leaders say the focus is on partnering with organizations already working in the area rather than building something new. Mayor Lethonia Barnes said the city plans to route money to local agencies that can work directly with residents.
Settlement money is also going toward continued training for Florence police officers on how to respond to overdoses and how to work with people who use drugs. Barnes framed the current approach as the problem worth fixing. “Oftentimes we treat people by jailing them,” she said.
Organizations that want a share can apply at Florence City Hall. Applications are reviewed quarterly.
A Councilman in Long-Term Recovery Is Helping Lead It
District 3 Councilman Bryan Braddock is among those directing the effort, and he brings 20 years of his own recovery from opioid addiction to it. He identifies himself as a recovered opioid addict and said his path ran through several programs, including a behavioral health provider in the area, a faith-based program, and Narcotics Anonymous.
Braddock said connecting local residents with opioid addiction treatment in Florence, SC has been a priority since he joined council. He also pointed to how much the local picture has changed. Two decades ago, he said, he had to travel to Rockford, Illinois for long-term treatment because the options were not here.
That is the practical takeaway for anyone searching now. Treatment that once required leaving the state is increasingly available closer to home.
Understanding Opioid Addiction and Its Signs
Opioids include prescription painkillers such as oxycodone and hydrocodone, as well as heroin and illicitly manufactured fentanyl. They relieve pain by acting on receptors in the brain and spinal cord, and they also slow breathing, which is what makes an overdose deadly.
Common signs of opioid addiction include taking more than intended or for longer than planned, needing larger amounts for the same effect, and withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, sweating, muscle aches and insomnia when a dose is missed. Families often notice the behavioral changes first: pulling away from work and relationships, missing medication, money problems that do not add up, and sleeping at odd hours.
Recognizing those patterns early is what makes it possible to look at opioid addiction treatment options before a crisis forces the decision.
Why Settlement Money Reaches Treatment Slowly
Settlement dollars arrive over decades rather than all at once, which is why Florence is distributing in phases through 2040 rather than in a single round. For residents, that means local program availability will keep changing, and a program that was full or unfunded last year may have capacity now.
It also means the application process is worth knowing about if you work at a nonprofit, church, clinic or recovery organization in the area that could put the money to use.
Finding Opioid Addiction Treatment in Florence, SC
Steps you can take now:
- Search opioid addiction treatment centers in Florence, SC and compare programs by level of care and payment type
- Ask any program whether it offers medication for opioid use disorder, including buprenorphine, methadone or naltrexone
- Check whether the program accepts South Carolina Medicaid or offers a sliding scale
- Contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for free, confidential referrals around the clock
- Organizations seeking settlement funding can submit applications at Florence City Hall for quarterly review
Addictions.com lists verified treatment centers across South Carolina so you can compare local options by location, level of care and payment.