Burke County officials are planning to convert an $800,000 building at 720 E. Union Street into a 16-bed crisis and detox center using opioid settlement funds.

Dr. Katie Samuels returned to Burke County as the Opioid Settlement Coordinator in spring 2025, and among the many milestones passed, the county has negotiated a lower purchase price for naloxone kits provided free across the county, established a Post Overdose Response Team (PORT), created a safe space for recovery support, and propelled local partners into implementing opioid addiction treatment programs.