Attorney General Jeff Sessions addressed the national opioid crisis during a visit to Raleigh on Tuesday. Chief Justice Mark Martin, Chief District Court Judge Jay Corpening (District 5 – New Hanover and Pender counties), and District Attorney Kimberly Robb (District 3A – Pitt County, and president of the N.C. Conference of District Attorneys) were among those in attendance, joining with other state leaders to promote a cohesive local, state, and national effort to prevent and combat opioid addiction.

Chief Justice Martin is a member of the Regional Judicial Opioid Initiative and has directed the N.C. Administrative Office of the Courts (NCAOC) to coordinate anti-opioid efforts with the Governor and Attorney General. Four North Carolina communities are in the top 20 cities in the United States suffering with opioid abuse.

During his remarks, Attorney General Sessions highlighted grant funding opportunities for court systems. NCAOC Director Judge Marion R. Warren stressed that he will work with court system officials to take advantage of grant opportunities relating to the opioid crisis.

"We believe there are several areas where grant funding could help us better address the opioid epidemic," said Judge Warren. "We will fully pursue these funding opportunities. The Judicial Branch is working tirelessly and cooperatively on various initiatives to help combat this scourge and advocate for federal assistance, treatment, and drug court funding."

The NCAOC plans to host regional judicial symposiums to educate members of our branch about this epidemic. Judicial officials will develop a general knowledge about opioid abuse, and they will learn ways in which their respective communities can join the fight. Additionally, the NCAOC recently joined the N.C. Department of Health and Human Service's symposium about the history of opioid abuse in North Carolina. NCAOC is also partnering with various judicial officials to develop a template for a Judicially Managed Accountability and Recovery Court, or JMARC. The goal is to combine our various specialty courts, in an effort to increase efficiency and consolidate resources.