Indiana will receive up to $100 million to support addiction recovery programs as part of the largest settlement to date holding suppliers accountable for their role in the opioid crisis, according to Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita.
In all, $7.4 billion will be dispersed to dozens of states and territories across the U.S. The Sackler family and Purdue Pharma were ordered to pay for “aggressive marketing of opioid products” that “fueled the worst drug crisis in U.S. history,” Rokita said.
Rokita called the settlement a “monumental victory” for Hoosiers. In Marion County, fentanyl kills more people than homicides and car crashes combined.
In 2020, Purdue Pharma admitted to paying doctors to encourage them to prescribe more opioids and impeding the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s effort to fight the burgeoning epidemic. The settlement also permanently ends the Sackler family’s control of Purdue Pharma, according to the Attorney General’s office, and prohibits them from participating in the U.S. opioid industry.
Indiana’s funds will be released over the next 15 years. Most will be dispersed in the first three years.
“This is about accountability and justice,” said Rokita.
Sign up for overdose alerts and other information from the Overdose Lifeline
A Marion County program that alerts recipients about bad drug batches or overdose spikes can be accessed by texting SOAR to 765-358-7627.
If you or a loved one is struggling with mental health or substance abuse problems, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for help.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana AG Todd Rokita touts ‘monumental victory’ in Sackler family, Purdue opioid settlement
Reporting by Matthew Cupelli, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
