WAYNE COUNTY, NC — Larry Pierce and Machelle Bass presented a detailed update to the Wayne County Board of Commissioners on the success of the county’s Comprehensive Opioid Stimulant and Substance Use Program (COSAP), highlighting reduced recidivism and sustained sobriety outcomes.
The program, funded through a $900,000 federal COSAP grant awarded in October 2020, was designed to address substance use disorders among individuals housed in the Wayne County Detention Center. The funding period concluded in September 2025, and officials reported the grant has now been fully closed out.
Sheriff Pierce noted that Wayne County, along with Durham County, was among the first in the state to implement a program of its kind. He credited Bass with playing a key role in establishing the initiative locally.
The voluntary program targets all substances and offers no incentives for participation. A central component is the use of peer support specialists — individuals with lived experience — provided through Dixon Social Interactive Services. Peer support staff work inside the jail to build relationships with participants that continue after release, helping ease reentry into the community.
Another major focus of the program was reducing recidivism, particularly among individuals with long histories of repeated incarceration. Housing was identified as a significant barrier to successful reentry, and the grant supported expansion of transitional housing options. One local housing agency expanded twice during the program, and services were also extended into Wayne County from a neighboring county.
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) was also introduced in the jail through the program. MAT services and counseling are provided by the jail’s medical provider, while the substance abuse program offers psychosocial support to enhance treatment effectiveness.
Over the five-year period, 457 unduplicated individuals participated in the program, with 80% retained for at least 30 days. Officials reported an overall recidivism rate of just 4% among participants, and 6% for those entering Day Reporting Center custody.
Of the 125 participants receiving MAT in the jail, 26% achieved six months of sobriety — surpassing the program’s original goal of 10%. Across all substances, 20% of participants reached six months of sobriety post-enrollment.
Bass also highlighted several unexpected achievements stemming from the initiative. The program’s management team helped launch the Wayne County Reentry Council, now led by Wayne Community College under the direction of Renita Dawson. In 2025, the council received the Champion for Attainment Award and enrolled 493 Wayne County residents.
Wayne County’s program has also gained statewide and national recognition. County representatives participated in a panel discussion at the 2023 North Carolina Jail Symposium, were featured at the Bureau of Justice Assistance R Summit in Atlanta, and contributed to the 2025 Building Bridges initiative, assisting other counties nationwide in implementing jail-based services. Wayne County was also highlighted in a rural “lessons learned” video series.
Commissioners praised the Sheriff’s Office for securing and effectively implementing the grant funding. Questions were raised about sustaining the program as opioid settlement funds diminish, with officials noting that the county has recently begun accessing three years of opioid funds that may help support continued efforts.
Commissioners thanked Sheriff Pierce and Bass for their leadership and commitment to addressing substance use and reducing repeat incarceration in Wayne County.
