HomeMy WebLinkAboutDISCUSSION re Opioid settlements Regular Agenda
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA REQUEST
TO: Board of Commissioners
Josh Peters, County Administrator
FROM: Philip C. Hunsucker, Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney
DATE: September 15,2025
RE: Joining Nine New Opioid Settlements
STATEMENT OF ISSUE
Nine new opioid national settlements have been reached, which require the county to file opt
in paperwork by September 30, 2025. A memorandum from the Prosecuting Attorney's Office
explains the situation in greater detail and is attached.
Previous opioid settlements have generated about $2 million in recoveries for the county.
Jefferson County's Opioid Settlement Recoveries as of September 5,2025
Distributor Settlement $896,804.78
Janssen(J&J) Settlement $218,933.00
Walmart Settlement $129,632.68
Allergen Settlement $103,100.73
Teva Settlement $173,059.73
CVS Settlement $228,917.95
Walgreens Settlement $248,924.30
TOTAL $1,999,373.17
Under the leadership of James Kennedy, the PAO is happy to report that 9 new nationwide
opioid settlements in principle (the 9 settlement) have been reached that likely will result in up
to $2,556,418.26 in new recoveries for the county,provided the county opts into them.
ANALYSIS:
After 8 years of litigation effort, the 9 settlements in principle have been reached with opioid
manufacturers totaling over$7.9 billion, a significant portion of which will be paid next year,
with the rest being paid out over time. Up to $2,556,418.26 in new recoveries that will be paid
to the county,provided the county opts into all of the 9 settlements.
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Regular Agenda
The 9 settlements have been approved by all 50 states. The Washington Attorney General's
Office,the county's outside counsel and the Prosecuting Attorney's Office all favor the county
signing on to the 9 settlements. There is no reasonable alternative to joining the 9 settlements
because there is no way the county can take on these opioid titans alone.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Opting into the 9 settlements will generate up to $2,556,418.26 in new recoveries for the
county in recoveries for opioid abatement in Jefferson County.
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve participation by the County in the 9 new settlements and an authorize Chief Civil
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Philip Hunsucker to sign and file the opt in paperwork before
September 30,2025. The recommendation Philip to sign and file the necessary paperwork
results from him being the point of contact for the county for the last 8 years.
DEPARTMENT CONTACT:
Philip C. Hunsucker, Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney at Extension 219
REVIEWED BY:
CA;2.6.1
Jo Peters, County Administrator Date
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