Washington Local Governments Eligible for $122.2 Million in Opioid Settlements

Over 100 Washington Local Governments Eligible for $122.2 Million Opioid Settlement

Olympia, WA — In a significant development in the fight against the opioid crisis, more than 100 local governments in Washington state are now eligible to claim a share of $122.2 million in settlements with Purdue Pharma and eight generic opioid manufacturers. The announcement came from the Washington state attorney general’s office on July 28.

This funding is part of multistate settlements involving Purdue Pharma, Alvogen, Amneal, Apotex, Hikma, Indivior, Mylan, Sun, and Zydus. The Purdue Pharma settlement was initially announced on June 16, followed by the settlements with the generic manufacturers on July 10.

Local governments can sign up for their share starting July 28, with a critical deadline looming for the Purdue Pharma settlement on September 30. While there is no deadline for the generic manufacturers’ settlement, the attorney general’s office is urging local governments to register for all nine settlements simultaneously to streamline the process.

The settlements will be distributed over 15 years, with a significant portion allocated in the first three years. If all eligible local governments participate, the total amount recovered from opioid manufacturers would reach an impressive $1.3 billion.

“This funding is crucial for programs aimed at combating the opioid epidemic, supporting first responders, and building treatment facilities,” said Attorney General Nick Brown. “Companies made millions while our communities suffered due to the opioid crisis. These funds can help save lives and support community projects across the state.”

In 2024, Washington reported 3,137 fatal overdoses, according to preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While this marked an 11% decline from the previous year, the numbers still reflect a 14% increase compared to 2022, largely driven by the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl.

Under the settlement agreement, local governments will collectively receive 50% of Washington’s share, with the state government receiving the other half. Notably, 20% of the state’s $61.1 million share will be allocated to Washington’s tribal communities.

Cities and counties will distribute the funds based on a formula established through the One Washington Memorandum of Understanding, with eligibility determined by 2019 U.S. Census Bureau estimates. If all 129 eligible local governments join the settlements, each could receive between $18,300 and $840,000.

However, participation is crucial; if not enough local governments sign up, the settlement could become void. Historically, 100% of eligible counties and cities in Washington have participated in prior opioid settlements, and the attorney general’s office remains optimistic that this trend will continue.

To facilitate the process, the Attorney General’s Office is maintaining a tracker to monitor the status of signup forms from eligible governments, with updates expected as the September 30 deadline approaches.

As Washington continues to grapple with the opioid crisis, these settlements represent a vital step toward healing communities and providing essential resources for those affected by addiction.