News Summary
Anna Stein, the First Lady of North Carolina, has taken on a new role focused on mental health and substance use advocacy after her husband was elected governor. Transitioning from a private life to the governor’s mansion, Stein is engaged in community outreach and initiatives aimed at improving mental health awareness and treating addiction. Her support for mobile treatment programs signifies a commitment to combatting the opioid crisis while maintaining balance in her personal life.
Raleigh, North Carolina — North Carolina’s First Lady Anna Stein has recently embraced her new role following her husband’s election as governor. Moving from their family home to a 35,000 square-foot mansion in the state’s capital, she has transitioned into a position emphasizing advocacy for mental health and substance use initiatives while balancing personal and public life.
The Transition to First Lady
Anna Stein and her husband, Josh Stein, relocated to the governor’s mansion in Raleigh after his election. She describes her experience as surreal, likening it to the movie “Freaky Friday,” highlighting the significant change from her previous lifestyle. With a background in law and public health, she holds a law degree and a master’s in public health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. During her husband’s tenure as North Carolina’s attorney general, she practiced law, gaining experience relevant to her current advocacy work.
Public Engagements and Advocacy Priorities
As First Lady, Anna Stein has begun engaging with community groups, including speaking at a luncheon organized by the Junior League of Raleigh. Her focus areas include improving mental health awareness and substance use disorder treatment. She has actively worked on opioid overdose prevention and urged her husband to prioritize efforts to combat the opioid epidemic. Her husband has historically been a leader in securing billions of dollars in settlements from pharmaceutical companies involved in opioid production, efforts that align with her advocacy priorities.
Supporting Mental Health and Addressing Violence
Following a recent mass shooting incident in Southport, believed to involve a mentally ill suspect, Anna Stein emphasized the importance of mental health initiatives. She advocates for policies and programs that increase mental health support and reduce stigma surrounding mental illness, especially in the wake of such tragedies.
Balancing Public Service and Personal Life
Despite her public duties and security measures, Anna Stein emphasizes maintaining a sense of normalcy. She and her husband find time for date nights, and she also spends time caring for their pet dogs, including Lyla and another mutt. She notes that her role involves a mix of official engagements and everyday life, striving to keep connections with community members and her family.
Initiatives Supporting Re-entry and Addiction Treatment
North Carolina launched its second Mobile Recidivism Reduction Center recently, with Anna Stein present to support the effort. These mobile centers, operated by Recidivism Reduction Educational Program Services (RREPS), provide services like job placement and mental health support to individuals transitioning back into society after incarceration.
Additionally, the state introduced its first mobile Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) aimed at improving access to medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. First Lady Anna Stein participated in the launch event, emphasizing her commitment to reducing stigma and increasing available resources for those struggling with addiction. Since 2019, enrollment in OTPs has increased by 25%, reflecting the growing demand for accessible treatment options.
Expanding Access in Urban and Rural Areas
The mobile OTP units serve both urban and rural areas, making it easier for individuals without reliable transportation to access necessary treatment. These efforts are part of broader state initiatives to address the opioid crisis and improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations.
Her Role and Community Engagement
Anna Stein considers her role as First Lady an honor and remains enthusiastic about supporting programs that benefit North Carolina communities. Her initiatives focus on health, safety, and providing equitable access to services, emphasizing her commitment to improving the well-being of residents across the state.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- WECT News
- Wikipedia: North Carolina
- GlobeNewswire
- Google Search: Anna Stein North Carolina
- ABC11 News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Opioid
- NC Newsline
- Google News: North Carolina opioid crisis
Author: STAFF HERE RALEIGH WRITER
RALEIGH STAFF WRITER The RALEIGH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERaleigh.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Raleigh, Wake County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the North Carolina State Fair, Raleigh Arts Festival, and the Hopscotch Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and Visit Raleigh, plus leading businesses in technology and education that power the local economy such as Red Hat and NC State University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
