Spokane County to Get $5M in New Opioid Settlement

Spokane County to Get $5M in New Opioid Settlement

Introduction

Jurisdictions within Spokane County are set to receive nearly $4.7 million as part of a sweeping $7.4 billion nationwide settlement with Purdue Pharma and its owners, the Sackler family.

The agreement addresses the company’s role in fueling the ongoing opioid epidemic across the United States.

Historic $7.4 Billion Settlement Announced

The settlement was announced by attorneys general representing 55 states and U.S. territories. Purdue Pharma, the manufacturer of the powerful and highly addictive painkiller OxyContin, has been at the center of the opioid crisis that has devastated communities across the country. The company and the Sackler family have been accused of aggressively marketing opioids while downplaying their addictive potential.

Between 1999 and 2014, the volume of opioids prescribed and sold in the U.S. nearly quadrupled, according to the Washington State Department of Health.

Washington State to Receive Over $100 Million

Washington state is expected to receive up to $105.6 million through this new settlement over the next 15 years, as reported by the state attorney general’s office. A majority of the funds will be disbursed within the first three years. Importantly, the funds must be equally split between the state and its local governments and used exclusively for opioid-related prevention, treatment, and recovery programs.

“The Attorney General’s Office recovery of more than one billion dollars has empowered state, local, and tribal governments to combat the opioid crisis,” said Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson. “Today’s agreement means even more money will flow to fund treatment centers, support first responders, and improve Washingtonians’ lives.”

Local Jurisdictions and Their Share of Funds

Spokane County and its municipalities will receive the following settlement amounts:
·    Spokane County – $2,925,815
·    City of Spokane – $1,623,871
·    Spokane Valley – $35,990
·    Cheney – $65,143
·    Liberty Lake – $20,495

A spokesperson for the city of Spokane noted that the allocation plan for these new funds has yet to be finalized.

Spokane’s Use of Previous Settlement Funds

Earlier in June, Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown proposed using $730,000 in opioid settlement funds for a range of opioid treatment and support initiatives. The plan includes $300,000 for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) treatment for infants and associated wraparound services, $30,000 for capital investments in mobile medication-assisted treatment units, and $400,000 to establish an outdoor navigation center for those struggling with addiction.

To date, the city has already allocated $2.4 million in opioid-related settlement funds toward various recovery and treatment initiatives.

County's Past Spending and Future Plans

Spokane County has not yet allocated funds from the latest Purdue settlement. However, previous settlement monies have supported a variety of initiatives including the expansion of a 23-hour crisis relief and sobering center, long-term housing and treatment services for parents of NAS-affected infants, and direct access to treatment services.

Supreme Court Ruling and Revised Bankruptcy Plan

This latest deal comes after the U.S. Supreme Court blocked a previous bankruptcy settlement for Purdue Pharma in 2023, which would have provided $6 billion to various jurisdictions. Following that decision, Purdue Pharma’s board chairman stated that the company renewed its efforts to develop a revised plan in partnership with its creditors. The result was a new agreement that reportedly provides increased value to victims and communities, enabling funds to be deployed more quickly and effectively.

Opioid Deaths See Encouraging Decline

Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows some progress in fighting the epidemic. Provisional figures indicate that opioid-related overdose deaths fell from an estimated 83,140 in 2023 to 54,743 in 2024.

Washington's Total Opioid Settlements Top $1.3 Billion

Including the latest Purdue Pharma settlement, Washington state has now secured approximately $1.3 billion in total opioid settlement funds from various companies tied to the crisis. These funds are expected to significantly aid in the state’s ongoing battle to reduce opioid misuse, support those in recovery, and improve public health outcomes statewide.