We are the Governor’s Institute

We’re a non-governmental, non-profit focused on improving North Carolina’s effectiveness and success in prevention, treatment and recovery of substance use disorders.

We have long-standing partnerships across the NC medical and behavioral health communities, research and training institutions and state and federal agencies including the NC Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services (DMH,DD,SUS), the NC Division of Public Health and the Federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Addiction Medicine

The Governor’s Institute (GI) works collaboratively with partners to provide a broad range of physician initiatives to better equip clinicians in primary care and specialty settings to prevent, identify and treat substance use issues.

Veterans Services

The GI also works with state and federal partners on projects and programs that improve the lives of military service members, Veterans and their families throughout North Carolina by connecting these service members with needed behavioral health and other community services.

How we started

The Governor’s Institute was founded as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 1990 by then-NC Governor James Martin, with a commitment to improving how physicians and other health care providers identify and intervene with substance use issues. This includes equipping these providers with the knowledge and skills to better prevent, treat, and support recovery of patients with these issues.

The GI today

With an unwavering commitment to understanding the problems and challenges unique to North Carolina, the Governor’s Institute has established an impressive track record of data-driven and innovative work that has improved access to evidence-based, high value prevention, identification, and treatment services.

Exciting Evolutions

We are broadening our reach through both digital and real-world interactions in both traditional and non-traditional spaces, such as sports venues and the arts.

By cultivating partnerships with sports organizations including the Carolina Hurricanes, Carolina Panthers, North Carolina Courage, and the North Carolina Football Club, we’re educating new audiences about substance use disorder, pushing back against stigma and encouraging people to be “superheroes” in the fight against opioid addiction. 

We’re also expanding our messaging into the arts community with a new documentary celebrating the work being done around Harm Reduction in North Carolina, with screenings serving as an educational tool and a call to action.

 

Our Current Projects & Partnerships

Each year, we search out new grants to fund new projects. Below is a list of some of our current work and partnerships.

  • Addiction Medicine Initiatives – Addiction Medicine Conferences: each year we host 2 conferences attracting healthcare professionals from across the country. Addiction Medicine Updates, Addiction Medicine Podcast, NC Society of Addiction Medicine (NCSAM) is the North Carolina Chapter of the American Society of Addiction Medicine, and NC Multidisciplinary Collaboration on Opioid Use and Misuse: There are concrete, actionable steps that healthcare providers and systems can take to address the opioid crisis and prevent overdose.
  • SUD Higher and Continuing Education – The Governor’s Institute, through the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services, funds approved requests for continuing education in an effort to further enhance knowledge, skills, and abilities of treatment providers for individuals seeking recovery from substance use disorders.
  • Veterans Initiatives – NC Governor’s Working Group on Veterans, Service Members, and Their Families (NCGWG): The NCGWG is a diverse coalition of statewide groups committed to Veterans and military families in North Carolina, NC Student Transition Resource Initiative for Veterans Education (NCSTRIVE).
  • Other Initiatives: Breathe Easy NC – Becoming Tobacco-Free & North Carolina Criteria C-School Collaborative

Updates