Municipalities across Michigan are being urged by Attorney General Dana Nessel to join a national settlement with eight opioid manufacturers. The deadline to participate and receive a share of the $720 million agreement, which seeks to hold drug makers accountable for their role in the opioid epidemic, is October 8. In a statement by the AG's office, Nessel emphasized, "I hope that every eligible community signs on so we can maximize the resources available to save lives and support recovery across Michigan."
There is a list of the 279 eligible local units of government, or subdivisions, on the Department of Attorney General’s website, indicating those in Michigan who are able to partake in the settlements from companies including Mylan (now Viatris), Hikma, and others. Assistance with the participation forms is available via email through the department for any subdivisions that might need help to get their claims in before the impending deadline. By joining the settlement, Michigan governments are poised to receive up to $24.5 million to funnel into recovery programs and related services.
Since taking office in 2019, Nessel has focused on combating the opioid crisis. Her office has secured more than $1.8 billion in settlements for Michigan, obtained from entities including McKinsey & Co., major distributors like Cardinal Health, pharmaceutical companies such as Janssen Pharmaceuticals and Teva Pharmaceuticals, as well as retail giants CVS, Walmart, and Walgreens. This settlement money, directed to state and local governments, is designated for efforts to address opioid misuse, support treatment, and fund remediation.
Data from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services show a decrease of approximately 34% in overdose deaths from 2023 to 2024. The Attorney General’s office reported nearly 1,000 fewer overdose-related deaths last year. These figures correspond with ongoing investments in prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm-reduction programs, many of which have received funding from national opioid settlements.
