Clark County and four of its cities are receiving more than $27 million to fight against opioids, after the state won a settlement against drug companies.
Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced last week that over $371 million would go toward local governments to use at their disposal for the current opioid crisis. Washington as a whole received more than $370 million.
Clark County government will receive more than $18 million. Vancouver will receive $6.9 million, and Camas will receive $1 million. Battle Ground will receive $555,138, and Washougal will get $512,882.
“These resources are flowing to every corner of the state to address the fentanyl crisis and improve treatment options,” Attorney General Bob Ferguson said in a news statement. “This will save lives and make our communities safer.”
Just like other parts of the Evergreen State, deaths by opioid overdoses are on the rise in Clark County.
An opioid and drug overdose dashboard launched in April by the Washington State Department of Health showed that the county’s overdose deaths rose from 58 to 117 deaths between 2016 and 2021.
The money stems from settlements the state made in four lawsuits against Walgreens, CVS, Allergan and Teva.
As per the settlement resolutions, CVS will pay more than $110 million to Washington over the next decade, whereas Walgreens will distribute $120 million to the state over 15 years. Teva will pay $90.8 million in the next 13 years and Allergan will add $50 million over the next seven years.
The lawsuit will also stop Allergan from selling opioids for a decade, and Teva cannot market opioids. CVS and Walgreens will “tightly monitor opioid prescriptions and prevent patients from seeking multiple prescriptions,” according to a prepared statement.
All spending decisions must be consistent with the state Opioid Response Plan and can be used to address the fentanyl epidemic, which is steadily growing in Washington.
Half of the money from the settlements will be paid to cities and counties and the rest will go to the state.
