North Carolina joins rest of country in $7.4 billion opioid settlement with Purdue

LELAND, NC (WWAY) — A major win for North Carolina and the rest of the country as Purdue pharmaceuticals agrees to a 7.4 billion settlement, due to its part in the ongoing opioid crisis.

All 50 states and US territories are part of the settlement, which includes Purdue’s owners, the Sackler family.

As part of the settlement, the Sacklers will pay 1.5 billion dollars, while Purdue will pay decreasing amounts over the next 3 years, with an initial $900 million payment.

Including this settlement, North Carolina has received close to $1.6 billion in funds relating to the opioid crisis.

North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson said this money will help many communities across the state.

“Once we have hit a certain critical threshold of sign-ons from local counties and towns and cities, that will unlock the full share that North Carolina can receive,” Jackson said. “And the vast majority of that is gonna go to local governments so that they can use it to fund addiction treatment programs that are designed to break the cycle of addiction.”

Jackson said the money from the settlement will be distributed over the next 3 years.