Current:Home > MarketsWest Virginia starts distributing funds from the settlement of opioid lawsuits-LoTradeCoin
West Virginia starts distributing funds from the settlement of opioid lawsuits
View Date:2024-12-24 02:09:37
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia is issuing the first checks from a fund established by the settlement of opioid lawsuits in the state, which has by far the nation’s highest drug overdose death rate.
The Kanawha County Commission said Thursday it received a $2.9 million check and plans to discuss how it will be spent at its next meeting on Jan. 11. Last week the Mercer County Commission received $1.9 million.
The distribution is part of a memorandum of understanding that was previously adopted by state Attorney General Patrick Morrisey and counsel for West Virginia cities and counties. According to the agreement, the board in charge of around $1 billion in funds will distribute just under three-fourths of the settlement money, and a fourth will go directly to local communities and 3% will remain in trust.
Morrisey told the Kanawha County Commission that his office and the state auditor’s office have formed a partnership to ensure that the settlement funds are used properly. All the money must be used to abate the opioid crisis through efforts such as addiction treatment, recovery and prevention programs, or supporting law enforcement in anti-drug measures.
The state is receiving money from each of its settlement agreements on a staggered schedule, with annual payments coming until at least 2036. The West Virginia First Foundation alone is expected to receive around $367 million over the next five years.
Over the past four years, drug manufacturers, distribution companies, pharmacies and other companies have reached settlements totaling more than $50 billion with governments. While the biggest amounts are national in scope, West Virginia has been aggressive in bringing its own lawsuits and reaching more than a dozen settlements.
A $68 million settlement was announced by the state in May with Kroger, the last remaining defendant in a lawsuit involving Walgreens, Walmart, CVS and Rite Aid. Walgreens settled for $83 million; Walmart for more than $65 million; CVS for $82.5 million; and Rite Aid for up to $30 million.
As part of the state’s 2022 settlement with Teva, the University of Charleston School of Pharmacy starting receiving shipments of the overdose-reversal drug naloxone in September.
veryGood! (1)
Related
- Top Federal Reserve official defends central bank’s independence in wake of Trump win
- Rafael dissolves into a low pressure system in the Gulf of Mexico after hitting Cuba as a hurricane
- 'SNL' stars jokingly declare support for Trump, Dana Carvey plays Elon Musk
- NFL Week 10 injury report: Live updates on active, inactive players for Sunday's games
- Artem Chigvintsev Returns to Dancing With the Stars Ballroom Amid Nikki Garcia Divorce
- COINIXIAI Introduce
- Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul stirs debate: Is this a legitimate fight?
- NASCAR Cup Series Championship race 2024: Start time, TV, live stream, odds, lineup
- Shocked South Carolina woman walks into bathroom only to find python behind toilet
- Elon Musk says 'SNL' is 'so mad' Trump won as he slams Dana Carvey's impression
Ranking
- Wicked's Ethan Slater Shares How Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo Set the Tone on Set
- A Pipeline Runs Through It
- Appeals Court Affirms Conviction of Everglades Scientist Accused of Stealing ‘Trade Secrets’
- NASCAR Cup Series Championship race 2024: Start time, TV, live stream, odds, lineup
- Jennifer Lopez Gets Loud in Her First Onstage Appearance Amid Ben Affleck Divorce
- Utah AD Mark Harlan rips officials following loss to BYU, claims game was 'stolen from us'
- Trump is likely to name a loyalist as Pentagon chief after tumultuous first term
- 'The Penguin' spoilers! Colin Farrell spills on that 'dark' finale episode
Recommendation
-
My Chemical Romance returns with ‘The Black Parade’ tour
-
2 Florida women charged after shooting death of photographer is livestreamed
-
Fire crews on both US coasts battle wildfires, 1 dead; Veterans Day ceremony postponed
-
Kennesaw State football coach Brian Bohannon steps down after 10 seasons amid first year in FBS
-
Minnesota man is free after 16 years in prison for murder that prosecutors say he didn’t commit
-
Singles' Day vs. Black Friday: Which Has the Best Deals for Smart Shoppers?
-
Diddy's ex-bodyguard sues rape accuser for defamation over claims of 2001 assault
-
Atmospheric river to bring heavy snow, rain to Northwest this week