Where the Money Comes From

Pharmaceutical manufacturers (like Johnson & Johnson, Teva, and Allergan), distributors (McKesson, Cardinal Health, AmerisourceBergen), and pharmacy chains (Walmart, Walgreens, CVS) have reached settlements with state and local governments for their role in the opioid crisis.

These funds are intended to remediate the damage caused by the opioid epidemic — not to supplement general budgets.

How Settlement Funds Should Be Used

Most settlement agreements include approved use categories:

• Treatment and recovery services: Expanding access to MAT, residential treatment, and IOP programs
• Harm reduction: Fentanyl test strips, Narcan distribution, and syringe service programs
• Prevention and education: Community awareness campaigns and school-based prevention
• Recovery support: Sober housing, employment services, and peer support
• Criminal justice diversion: Drug court programs and jail-based treatment

The Accountability Challenge

History offers a cautionary tale: most tobacco settlement funds were diverted to non-health purposes. Advocates are fighting to ensure opioid funds reach addiction services. Organizations like Johns Hopkins Bloomberg American Health Initiative track settlement spending for transparency.

What You Can Do

• Attend local government meetings where settlement fund allocation is discussed
• Advocate for evidence-based spending: treatment, harm reduction, and recovery services
• Contact your county commissioners or city council about how funds are being used
• Connect with local advocacy groups pushing for accountable spending