White Horse Executive Director Matthew Plache
White Horse Recovery representatives will meet with the Carroll County Delegation’s Regional Appropriations Subcommittee this month to discuss the importance of continued support for White Horse’s substance use disorder clinical treatment program. The subcommittee, composed of Representatives MacDonald, Brown, and Woodcock, has been tasked with reviewing proposals concerning nonprofit funding in the County’s budget.
White Horse Recovery, a leader in Carroll County’s response to the opioid crisis, has been supported by the County in recent years—not through taxpayer dollars—but through funds allocated from the opioid abatement settlements. Beginning in 2021 through October 2025, Carroll County received $606,914 in opioid settlement money, paid by companies responsible for creating the opioid crisis. This money is specifically designated by law for opioid-related treatment and prevention efforts. Under the settlements, funds from the defendants will continue to be paid to Carroll County for another decade and a half.
“White Horse Recovery stands out because the support we’ve received from the County directly aligns with the purpose of these settlement funds—to address the devastating impact of the opioid epidemic,” said Matt Plache, White Horse Recovery’s Executive Director. “We use the funds we receive from the County to support our clinical program, treating people from every town in Carroll County regardless of their ability to pay, providing services that restore lives and families. Every dollar invested in this effort helps us continue this critical work.”
During 2024 and 2025, White Horse received $125,000 and $100,000, respectively, from the county’s opioid settlement fund to support outpatient treatment programs in their Ossipee and North Conway offices, as well as two weekly SMART Recovery sessions for inmates at the Carroll County House of Corrections. These services are part of a broader strategy to address opioid misuse and its many ripple effects in the community.
The opioid settlement funds, by law, must be used for prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts related to opioid misuse. Carroll County’s decision to participate in the national opioid litigation reflects its commitment to securing resources to combat the crisis and support its impacted residents.
“The County has done an excellent job advocating for these funds on behalf of its residents,” Plache continued. “Our mission is to ensure these dollars are translated into evidence-based treatment that makes a tangible difference here in Carroll County.”
The subcommittee’s recommendations are expected to shape the final budget decisions by the full Delegation in March. Interested residents can participate in the process by attending public meetings, asking questions, and advocating for sustained funding for opioid treatment services.
Founded in Center Ossipee, New Hampshire, White Horse Recovery has grown from a small organization into a leading nonprofit with 28 employees across four locations, providing both mental health and substance use disorder services.
If you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone. White Horse Recovery offers services for those ready to start their journey to recovery. For more information, call 603-651-1441, Ext. 1.