Stanly County’s fight against opioid addiction may soon be boosted by a $1 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Public Health Educator Debbie Bennett of the Stanly County Health Department told the Albemarle Rotary Club Thursday afternoon the only thing left to do for Stanly County to receive the grant was for it to be accepted by the county commissioners.

Part of the Health Resources and Services goal is to help communities with opioid addiction issues reduce fatalities associated with opioid overdoses.

“The grant is designed to reduce barriers to recovery for men and women with substance use disorders and create more opportunities to access appropriate care,” said Jennifer Layton, human services program specialist at the Stanly County Health Department.

She said the grant period runs from Sept. 1 through Aug. 31, 2022.

“Through this grant, we are looking forward to working with our partners to help further combat the opioid crisis in our community,” said David Jenkins, Stanly County Health and Human Services director.

Three other N.C. rural communities/organizations also received the $1 million grant funding: Appalachian Mountain Community Health Centers in Asheville, Coastland Ministries in Moravian Falls and FirstHealth in Pinehurst.

HRSA awarded nearly $400 million to different communities and organizations around the country.

County Manager Andy Lucas said the grant will be on the county commissioner’s agenda for their next meeting Sept. 9.

He would not say if he thinks the commissioners will approve the grant.

“At this point they haven’t seen the details and gotten a presentation about how the funding would be used,” Lucas said.

Stanly County ranked no. 1 in opioid overdoses in July and has led the state for several months over the past year.