2014, Lenoir County’s unemployment rate was at 7.8% while North Carolina’s unemployment rate was at 6.9%. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Issues: Our County has a serious problem with substance abuse and undiagnosed or untreated mental illness. This statement is based on the frequent complaints we receive from local employers who report problems with finding good job candidates who can pass the drug screens. They are also having problems retaining employees because of poor attendance issues and employees who do not pass random drug screens. The Lenoir County Personnel Association reports that many job applicants are disqualified because they cannot pass the drug screens. In addition, our Children’s Protective Services (CPS) social workers report an increase in the number of families with CPS that have substance abuse problems, specifically a spike in methamphetamine, heroin use, and prescription opiates as well as undiagnosed or untreated mental health issues. Gangs: Lenoir County has seen a significant increase in gang presence and criminal activities over the past several years. Property damage, vandalism and murders have taken a toll on the County and its citizens. The Kinston Public Safety and the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Department have worked together to bring the gang activity under control. The Kinston Public Safety was awarded the Gang Unit of the Year by the State on September 2, 2014 in recognition of its crime fighting efforts. The Gang Unit has made 163 arrests and seized 19 guns since the unit grew from two to six people in July. Kinston has 20-25 recognized gangs and 600 documented gang members. School Drop-Out Rate: As our national and economies continue to change, workers must have more education and a higher skill level. It is increasingly important that children stay in school, graduate, and obtain advanced training from a technical school or college. Lenoir County schools have decreased their dropout rate from a high of 7.43 percent in 2005 to 3.01 percent in 09/2010-12/2013. Our dropout rate continues to be higher than the State’s 2.45 percent during the same period. Our agency plans to increase its efforts to support families and encourage every child to stay in school.
2014, Lenoir County’s unemployment rate was at 7.8% while North Carolina’s unemployment rate was at 6.9%. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Issues: Our County has a serious problem with substance abuse and undiagnosed or untreated mental illness. This statement is based on the frequent complaints we receive from local employers who report problems with finding good job candidates who can pass the drug screens. They are also having problems retaining employees because of poor attendance issues and employees who do not pass random drug screens. The Lenoir County Personnel Association reports that many job applicants are disqualified because they cannot pass the drug screens. In addition, our Children’s Protective Services (CPS) social workers report an increase in the number of families with CPS that have substance abuse problems, specifically a spike in methamphetamine, heroin use, and prescription opiates as well as undiagnosed or untreated mental health issues. Gangs: Lenoir County has seen a significant increase in gang presence and criminal activities over the past several years. Property damage, vandalism and murders have taken a toll on the County and its citizens. The Kinston Public Safety and the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Department have worked together to bring the gang activity under control. The Kinston Public Safety was awarded the Gang Unit of the Year by the State on September 2, 2014 in recognition of its crime fighting efforts. The Gang Unit has made 163 arrests and seized 19 guns since the unit grew from two to six people in July. Kinston has 20-25 recognized gangs and 600 documented gang members. School Drop-Out Rate: As our national and economies continue to change, workers must have more education and a higher skill level. It is increasingly important that children stay in school, graduate, and obtain advanced training from a technical school or college. Lenoir County schools have decreased their dropout rate from a high of 7.43 percent in 2005 to 3.01 percent in 09/2010-12/2013. Our dropout rate continues to be higher than the State’s 2.45 percent during the same period. Our agency plans to increase its efforts to support families and encourage every child to stay in school.