Negotiations are occurring between Gov. Kate Brown and local government attorneys regarding the state’s share of a national opioid settlement.
The national opioid legal settlement totals $26 billion, and is meant to combat deaths from overdose and addiction. In Oregon, Multnomah County alone sees over 100 yearly fatal overdoses due to opioids. In 2015, 1.4 million opioid prescriptions were given out in Washington, Clackamas, and Multnomah counties combined.
Oregon’s portion of the settlement would be coming from three large opioid distribution companies, as well as from the Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical company. The allotment could reach $330 million if the lawyers involved work together.
While the state would be fine with the default funding allocation included in the deal, local government lawyers are prepared to walk away from the deal if local governments are not given more of a say. According to local attorneys, this could lessen Oregon’s share of the funds by half.
Tom D’Amore, a lawyer from Lake Oswego who represents Clackamas, Clatsop, Jackson, Josephine, Lane, Washington, and Yamhill counties, referred to the settlement as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make real difference” for communities in Oregon who have suffered as a result of the opioid epidemic.
“The state has unnecessarily put at risk the entire $329 million if the opioid distributors do not go forward with the agreement because the cities and counties are not included,” D’Amore said to The Lund Report.
“We would like to work out a fair and equitable intrastate allocation plan with all interested parties that would maximize the benefit to our state,” said Kristina Edmunson, the communications director for the Oregon Department of Justice. “However, we are also willing to work with the default allocation plans provided in the agreements.”
The Problem
Like most of the U.S., Oregon has had serious issues with opioid addiction and deaths caused by it. According to a State of Oregon report done in 2020, “This crisis involves both prescription opioid pain medications, as well as illicit opioids such as heroin and non-pharmaceutical fentanyl. Oregon has one of the highest rates of misuse of prescription opioids in the nation.”
An average of five people die from opioid abuse in Oregon each week. The Oregon Health Authority has worked to find safe and effective pain management that does not include opiates.
If you or someone you know has a problem with opiates, the Benton County Substance Use Program is available.
By Olivia Goodfriend
Do you have a story for The Advocate? Email editor@corvallisadvocate.com