Opioid settlement money starts to flow to Minnesota

A whole lot of tens of millions of {dollars} stemming from a significant settlement associated to the opioid epidemic will start flowing to Minnesota this month.

The massive image: Minnesota’s state and native governments are set to see $300 million over the following 18 years as a part of a 46-state, $26 billion settlement with Johnson & Johnson and three different drug firms. That settlement was finalized in February.

• The primary funds, estimated to complete $66 million, ought to arrive this month, based on the legal professional common’s workplace.

Why it issues: The opioid epidemic has had far-reaching impacts for households and communities throughout the state.

• Greater than 5,000 individuals have died of overdoses in Minnesota since 2000, per MDH. 1000’s of extra individuals overdose and survive every year.

Particulars: Greater than 200 native governments in Minnesota signed on to the settlement. Officers say 75% of the $300 million will go on to native governments and 25% will go to the state.

• A memorandum of settlement outlines a “fairly complete” checklist of makes use of, together with prevention, training and remedy, assistant Lawyer Common Eric Maloney mentioned at a latest information convention highlighting laws distributing the settlement funds.

What they’re saying: “We’re ensuring that these {dollars} go the place the ache is, not simply the excessive inhabitants facilities,” Lawyer Common Keith Ellison mentioned. “As a result of we all know the struggling is occurring in each nook of this state.

“What’s subsequent: Minnesota Affiliation of Counties’ Angie Thies mentioned that native public well being departments are already working with companions to “determine the wants regionally which can be evidence-based and we all know could have an area influence.”

What to look at: Different lawsuits stay excellent, that means there might be extra settlements.

The underside line: Reed Holtum mentioned whereas the cash is a primary step, the habit disaster “won’t finish with this era or the following era.”

• “This can be many years to come back to scrub this up. So whereas $300 million appears like some huge cash, it’s not. It is nowhere close to sufficient to create the options.”