Council Action Requested:
Approve the five national opioid settlements with defendants Teva, Allergan, CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart and Authorize the County Administrator to execute all agreements to participate in the five national opioid settlements.
Points to Consider:
This is the third round of national settlements that South Carolina and participating counties have entered into with the makers or retailers and distributors of opioid products.
The State of South Carolina and its local governments have been harmed by an epidemic of opioid use and abuse, which has been caused by the conduct of various entities and individuals in the opioid supply chain.
The State and its political subdivisions share a common desire to abate and alleviate the impact of the opioid epidemic throughout the State of South Carolina.
Through the efforts of the South Carolina Attorney General, the State and its political subdivision will receive benefits of the opioid-related settlements.
While funds are allocated to each County, all counties will have to submit proposals for funding to the SC Opioid Recovery Fund Board, created by the Governor and State Legislature.
The use of funds have to be geared towards approved abatement strategies including purchase of drugs to reverse opioid overdoses, prevention strategies, treat people in treatment and recovery, address the needs of criminal-justice involved people, training and research, and serving the needs of first responders regarding practices and precautions when dealing with fentanyl or other drugs, among many abatement strategies.
Funding and Liability Factors:
The State of South Carolina is expected to receive more than $393 million from this collective settlement through 2038.
Lancaster County is expected to receive $5,811,178.15 from the State settlement funds that will be available on a limited basis over the 15-year settlement period through 2038.
Recommendation:
Approve joining the national settlement with five national opioid settlements.