Opioid Settlement Resource Center

Overview

A $26 billion nationwide settlement was reached to resolve all Opioids litigation brought by states and local political subdivisions against the three largest pharmaceutical distributors: McKesson, Cardinal Health and AmerisourceBergen (“Distributors”), and manufacturer Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and its parent company Johnson & Johnson (collectively, “J&J”).   

The state of Michigan is slated to receive nearly $800 million over 18 years. Fifty percent (50%) of the settlement amount will be sent directed to county and local governments. The national agreement also requires significant industry changes that will help prevent this type of crisis from ever happening again. 

• Review the National Opioid Settlement 

A state-subdivision agreement between the state of Michigan and local government directs how opioid settlement funds are distributed. All 83 counties in Michigan signed on to this agreement. Allocation percentages can be found on exhibit A.

• Review the State/Local Agreement

Exhibit E of the settlement provides a non-exhaustive list of expenditures that qualify as being paid for Opioid Remediation. (Beginning on Page 63)

County-by-County Estimated Payments (July 2022)

How Should Counties Spend their Settlement Funds? 

Strategies around evidence-based treatments include reducing access barriers to effective treatments and supporting research and development of new treatments for SUD/OUD. The Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network (JCOIN), as well at the Rural Community Opioid Response Program (RCORP), are two initiatives lead by HHS, the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) with the aim of advancing this priority policy. Additionally, increasing the use of recovery resources such as peer supports, employment and housing services that can be paired with treatment and support long-term recovery.

The settlement agreement recommends a number of interventions to prevent people from developing an opioid use disorder, including the funding of: media campaigns; school-based prevention programs; and medical provider education to prevent youth and other individuals from misusing prescription drugs. Prevention is critical to reducing overdoses and overdose deaths. These tool kits and resources offer strategies to health care providers, communities, and local governments leaders for developing practices and policies to help prevent opioid-related overdoses and deaths.

Jails have become a revolving door for individuals struggling with mental health and substance use disorders. Across the county, sheriffs and jail staff have been collaborating with community partners and experts to help reduce the number of individuals with substance and opioid use disorders coming into their care. They’ve also been a place where incarcerated individuals find a pathway to care and long-term recovery from OUD. One of the most effective treatments for OUD is the use of (FDA)-approved medications (methadone, buprenorphine and extended-release injectable naltrexone), in conjunction with counseling and psychosocial support. This treatment program is commonly known as medication-assisted treatment (MAT) or medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD).

Harm reduction is a set of practical strategies that reduce negative consequences of drug use, incorporating a spectrum of strategies from safer use, to managed use, to abstinence. Harm reduction strategies met drug uses ‘where they’re at,’ addressing conditions of use along with the use itself.

State of Michigan Resources

Education and Resources 

• https://www.naco.org/resources/opioid-solutions-center
• Opioids | CDC
• https://www.samhsa.gov/
• https://store.samhsa.gov/product/Opioid-Overdose-Prevention-Toolkit/SMA18-4742
• https://mcrh.msu.edu/resources/opiod_resources.html 
• https://opioids.umich.edu/ 
• https://www.mha.org/Issues-Advocacy/Opioid-Epidemic/#Keystone 
• https://www.opioidsettlementtracker.com/ 
• https://www.reportingonaddiction.org/ 

Webinars and Presentations 

• MDHHS webinar on Harm Reduction
• MDHHS webinar on Treatment
• MDHHS webinar on Prevention
• MDHHS webinar on Recovery
• MAC webinar on Opioids
• Presentation on Opioid Settlement (2022 Legislative Conference)

Technical Assistance Providers 

Share Your Story

Share how your county is responding to the opioid epidemic and utilizing national opioid settlement fund dollars. Send information to Samantha Gibson at gibson@micounties.org.