New York reaches $1.1 billion settlement with 3 opioid distributors

New York Attorney General Letitia James has announced a $1.1 billion settlement with three of the nation's largest opioid distributors.

News 12 Staff

Jul 20, 2021, 4:51 PM

Updated 1,178 days ago

Share:

New York Attorney General Letitia James has announced a $1.1 billion settlement with three of the nation's largest opioid distributors.
The money from Cardinal Health, Amerisource Bergen and McKesson will go to drug abatement programs.
Multiple states settled a lawsuit with opioid manufacturer Purdue Pharma earlier this month, which netted New York $200 million.
Separately, Nassau and Suffolk counties will each be getting $108 million over 18 years.
"Thanks to our efforts, Johnson & Johnson, McKesson, Amerisource-Bergen and Cardinal Health will be required to make important changes in their conduct and that will save lives," says Nassau County Executive Laura Curran.
All of the money must be used for prevention and treatment of addiction.
Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone says, "These dollars are going to help lift that burden off taxpayers and help move forward with additional programs to battle the ongoing opioid epidemic."
Ryan Kiser, who was once an addict, is now part of Thrive Recovery and Outreach Center. Kiser is hoping the newfound money will be used to expand programs like Thrive.
"Recovery based services on Long Island are vital," says Kiser. "I've been through treatment. I've been through out-patient treatment. And at each point of my life many of those things kept me alive."