Attorney General Gentner Drummond's office is poised to distribute more than $5 million of settlement funds to nearly 40 Oklahoma cities and counties to combat the epidemic of opioid abuse.
Cities and counties that elected to participate in the Opioid Distributor Settlement in exchange for releasing claims against several major manufacturers will receive funding as a non-litigating political subdivision.
Drummond placed a priority on making funds available to communities across the state after taking office last year. The State of Oklahoma received its fourth annual payment last month and has received a partial prepayment for year seven of the 18-year payment plan.
“The opioid epidemic continues to harm every region of our state,” Drummond said. “Oklahomans from all walks are threatened by fentanyl and other deadly opioids. Cities and counties that opted to participate in the settlement finally will have the opportunity to fund critical remediation initiatives to fight against this dreadful epidemic.”
Total funding will be determined by the population per capita of participating cities and counties, the number of opioid overdose deaths in each political subdivision, and the amount of opioids distributed within the subdivision.
The cities of Norman, McAlester and Tahlequah are set to receive the largest funding with Norman eligible for more than $1 million, McAlester eligible for more than $350,000 and Tahlequah eligible for more than $261,000.
Settlement funds can be used for a variety of recovery and treatment programs as well as education, prevention, drugs to reverse opioid overdoses, and other opioid abatement initiatives.
The Office of the Attorney General has communicated with all eligible political subdivisions and funds will be distributed after agreements are finalized.
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