PHOTO BY RENEA KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
TASK FORCE … Nicky Ferguson, the region’s substance abuse liaison, discussed her role and responsibilities for the counties she serves, while being accompanied by Commander Ben Williams, who also talked about the administrative side of operations during their visit to request opioid settlement funds.
By: Renea Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
renea@thevillagereporter.com
The Fulton County Commissioners met for their regular session on Tuesday, December 9, 2025.
The meeting began at 9:00 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance, an opening prayer, and a roll call, after which commissioners approved the minutes from December 2 and accepted the day’s agenda as presented.
The board then moved through routine reviews, including month-end financials, sales tax figures, the Dog Warden reports for the periods ending November 8 and November 15, a certificate of compliance, treasury balancing reports, and the amended certificate of estimated resources.
New business followed with commissioners reviewing an office closure notice for the board of Elections and approving appropriations requests for multiple departments.
Additional action included authorizing an indigent defense contract with the Village of Fayette for 2025, accepting the final change order and payment request for the county’s 2025 asphalt resurfacing program, approving a draw request related to the CDBG grant for the Lyons water tower project, acting on personnel matters within the Senior Center, accepting a resignation, and approving purchase orders and travel requests, and paying of the bills.
Attention then turned to the Multi Area Narcotics Task Force, which attended the meeting to discuss its request for opioid settlement funding and to brief the board on current operations.
Nicky Ferguson, the region’s substance use liaison, stepped forward to explain her role, accompanied by Fulton County Sheriff Roy Miller and Task Force Commander Ben Williams.
She explained that the position was established in November of the previous year through a grant program aimed at addressing the increasing need for overdose follow-up and treatment coordination.
Her responsibilities cover all six counties served by the task force, and she responds to both fatal and non-fatal overdoses.
During non-fatal incidents, she works to immediately connect individuals with treatment when possible; in fatal cases, she focuses on helping family members access support resources.
She noted that many residents still do not realize this service exists, which is why she has visited every police department in Fulton County to explain the program.
She described a recent situation in which a victim of domestic violence, who also battles substance use, was grateful not only for the professionalism of responding deputies but also for Nicky’s follow-up in helping her access additional support.
These moments, she said, illustrate how the role bridges gaps between law enforcement and long-term recovery.
Her daily work also includes distributing naloxone and resource cards, collaborating with local health departments, and continuing outreach to schools and county agencies.
She has begun offering educational sessions to social-service staff about navigating substance-use-related issues in homes and recently expanded training for area fire departments.
Henry County and Defiance County have already completed those sessions, and additional departments are scheduled to receive them next. She added that part of her public education now includes alerting parents to emerging trends, such as dangerous products easily purchased over the counter.
Administrative staff from the task force added historical context, noting that enforcement traditionally focused on drug traffickers and investigations, leaving little structure for addressing the long-term needs of low-level offenders or individuals struggling with addiction.
Nicky’s position, they said, now fills that void and helps reduce repetitive encounters with the criminal justice system.
They emphasized the impact of her work but reminded commissioners that the current grant funding is not guaranteed to return next year.
This has prompted outreach to all jurisdictions in the six-county region to request support through opioid settlement allocations.
The cost to sustain the position, including salary, benefits, and associated pension requirements, totals approximately $109,000 per year.
Representatives explained that Defiance County has already committed funding for 2025, and they will be returning to jurisdictions again for 2026. Fulton County remains among the region’s highest in overall overdose numbers, ranking third this year, despite having no recent overdose fatalities.
They noted that many mental-health-related calls overlap with substance use, and Nicky often assists deputies in situations requiring careful, trauma-informed handling.
This frees sworn personnel to continue responding to other calls while ensuring individuals in crisis receive appropriate follow-up.
When asked what resources the position requires beyond salary, Nicky explained that travel, printed materials, outreach events, and educational resources make up the bulk of her operational needs.
Her vehicle was originally purchased through Cos-Op grant funding, and most community education relies on pamphlets, presentations, and parent-awareness materials.
She reiterated that early intervention and immediate contact remain the most effective tools, especially in those critical moments after an overdose when individuals are most willing to seek help.
After discussion, commissioners moved to allocate $20,000 from Fulton County’s opioid settlement funds to help support the continuation of the liaison position.
A second commissioner offered support, and the board proceeded to formal action. With nothing further, the meeting was adjourned.