U.S. Rep. Greg Murphy (R-NC) recently participated in an opioid crisis roundtable discussion with North Carolina leaders and stakeholders.
“I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to discuss the devastating impact of the opioid crisis and strategies to protect our communities here in eastern North Carolina,” Rep. Murphy said.
He pointed out that in 2023, there were 112,000 fatal overdoses across America, with the drugs coming into the United States from China via the southern border.
“We must make sure there are resources available to help those with addiction, and we cripple the ability of illicit drug manufacturers and cartels from bringing it into our country,” said the congressman.
Other participants in the roundtable included: Peter Gratale, Breaking Barriers and The Recovery Platform; Reynold Yordy, The Recovery Platform; Keary McClernan, Triad Behavioral Resources; Franklin Walker, the North Carolina Medical Society Foundation; David Reeser at OpiAID; Dr. Kerry Willis and Sheriff Asa Buck of Carteret County, N.C.; Dr. Randall Williams at Carteret County Health & Human Services; Dr. Clyde Brooks and Kyle Marek of Carteret Health Care; Dr. David Owens at Nexalin Technology; and Ryan Kane with RK Strategies Inc.
“Our coalition, Breaking Barriers, is committed to helping those struggling with opioid use disorder overcome addiction by providing a transformational approach to treatment — a virtual-based treatment model,” said Gratale, chairman of Breaking Barriers and CEO of The Recovery Platform. “We continue to be especially grateful to Dr. Murphy, who has worked tirelessly especially for those in America’s veterans community, for his commitment to ensuring access to treatment.”
North Carolina’s military veterans, many of whom live in rural communities, struggle to access care, said Walker, vice president of the North Carolina Medical Society Foundation.
“New virtual treatment options are now available in these communities, following successful pilots conducted with the North Carolina Medical Society Foundation,” of which Rep. Murphy has been a long-time member, he added.
“His leadership is absolutely fundamental to ensuring America’s heroes receive the care they deserve,” Walker said.
Buck also pointed out that keeping Carteret County families safe starts with helping those struggling with addiction.
“We are excited to utilize virtual treatment models offered through Project VBOT as a tool to help support those in the criminal justice system return to their communities, on a pathway to recovery — a truly transformational approach,” he said.