Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton that the state had reached a nearly $1.2 billion opioid settlement with three of the nation鈥檚 top pharmaceutical distributors: Cardinal, McKesson, and AmerisourceBergen. He said they were sued 鈥渇or their role in creating and fueling the nationwide opioid epidemic.鈥�
It鈥檚 part of a $26 billion agreement with other states, including California, Florida, Georgia, and New York. Paxton said this money will be distributed to communities throughout Texas through a council.
鈥淲e wanted to make sure this money went to the crisis, that it didn鈥檛 end up in the general revenue where it would be spent on all kinds of good things, but we wanted to address this,鈥� said Paxton during a press conference. 鈥淪o, the Attorneys General across the country put together this opioid council, and in our state, we鈥檝e appointed different people to do that. The Governor has, I have, and others have.鈥�
Tammy Mahan is one of the people named to the council. She鈥檚 the CEO of LifePath Systems, which is Collin County鈥檚 local behavioral health and intellectual and developmental disabilities authority and provider. The nonprofit also provides substance abuse services to those in need.
Mahan joined Paxton Wednesday in announcing the settlement at LifePath鈥檚 McKinney facility. She said she鈥檚 excited that this will help increase access to 鈥渁ll sorts of treatments鈥� for opioid addiction.
鈥淐ollin County is no different than any other county across Texas and the nation that鈥檚 been dealing with this opioid crisis,鈥� Mahan said. 鈥淭hese funds will have a significant impact on the people we serve.鈥�
In addition to working with other states on the deal, the AG鈥檚 office partnered with county judges across Texas, along with local officials from Collin, Dallas, Bexar, Harris, and Tarrant counties.
鈥淏exar County is pleased to have worked alongside Dallas County, the State of Texas, and other Texas litigating subdivisions to secure this historic Texas settlement with the three big distributors of opioids in Texas,鈥� Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff said, .
In a similar statement, Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee praised the agreement, saying 鈥渢his is another step in holding companies accountable for their role in the opioid crisis.鈥�
鈥淭oo many communities have dealt with incredible losses, and this settlement helps move us toward recovery,鈥� he added. 鈥淚鈥檓 pleased that these funds will be distributed to counties and cities across the state to help fight this epidemic and begin the healing process for many people.鈥�
According to the State Attorney General鈥檚 office, this is Paxton's fifth statewide opioid settlement. Previous ones include a $225million with Teva Pharmaceutical Industries. There was also a $290 million announced last year.
Paxton said the money will be distributed over time.
鈥淪o, we got a big chunk now,鈥� added Paxton. 鈥淲e got a big chunk from Johnson & Johnson, but we also have money coming in over the next 18 years.鈥�
