Core Community Organized Relief Effort

CORE aims to stem the proliferation of opioid use and opioid-related deaths in Robeson County by enhancing community awareness regarding harm reduction and increasing access to Naloxone and referral services. This approach seeks to support changes in individual, interpersonal, community-based, and structural factors influencing overdose causes and access and proper use of Naloxone. To accomplish this goal, CORE will develop and implement a robust community outreach campaign, increasing literacy on harm reduction, training on Naloxone usage and distributing Naloxone to the most impacted least resourced communities in Robeson County. Activities will emphasize including and responding to the needs of Native American communities in Robeson County. Over 24% of individuals under 65 (the majority of those with OUD) lack access to health insurance. Countless more are underinsured, and their insurance does not cover the basic costs of accessing detox, treatment, and recovery services. Therefore, CORE will also focus on assisting uninsured and underinsured individuals in identifying affordable insurance and access to the medical and social services they require. The need for more transparency regarding available resources for OUD treatment and complementary services leaves many to avoid treatment because they fear it is not affordable or available. This program will dismantle this barrier by supporting resource coordination and benefits navigation activities to link individuals with insurance and needed prescription assistance. These efforts will increase uptake in OUD treatment and recovery services.