This Feb. 19, 2013, file photo shows OxyContin pills arranged for a photo at a pharmacy in Montpelier, Vermont. (AP Photo/Toby Talbot, File)

This Feb. 19, 2013, file photo shows OxyContin pills arranged for a photo at a pharmacy in Montpelier, Vermont. (AP Photo/Toby Talbot, File)

How will Snohomish County divide $51M in opioid settlement funds?

After several settlements with opioid manufacturers and distributors, the county and cities are making plans for how to spend the cash.

EVERETT — Snohomish County and its cities are expected to secure more than $50 million under settlements with opioid manufacturers and distributors to fight the ongoing drug crisis.

Across Washington, settlements from lawsuits involving pharmaceutical companies and pharmacies that helped fuel the epidemic now total over $1.1 billion from 11 companies. Half of the money will go to the state and the other half to local governments.

These settlements included one for $518 million for the state from three of the biggest opioid distributors, McKesson Corp., Cardinal Health Inc. and AmerisourceBergen Drug Corp.

Most recently, the state is set to get more than $60 million from a settlement with Walmart. The company was accused of contributing to the crisis by being negligent in offering opioid prescriptions through its pharmacies.

Nearly all of the funds are expected to be available within months to local governments. Money from earlier settlements will come in installments over the next 10 to 20 years. In addition to the settlement dollars, “Walmart will tightly monitor opioid prescriptions and prevent patients from seeking multiple prescriptions,” according to the state Attorney General’s Office.

Across all the settlements, Snohomish County and its cities expect to receive $51 million to battle the effects of opioid addiction. Governments can use the money to support first responders, distribute supplies like naloxone that can prevent overdoses and provide temporary housing for people struggling with substance use disorder.

As part of its settlement, Teva Pharmaceuticals agreed to give the state 54,120 overdose-reversing naloxone kits within the next two years.

Local governments will have authority in deciding how to use their share of the settlement money, once it is distributed by the state.

Snohomish County and Everett are getting the biggest shares of money in the county.

Everett will get $8.3 million from multiple settlements. City spokesperson Simone Tarver said the payouts will be available to the city slowly over a span of 17 years.

Officials will also work alongside other cities to determine how to best use the money, Tarver said.

Arlington Mayor Barb Tolbert said the cities are waiting for direction from the county on how to move forward with a regional approach. Arlington’s total payment from the settlements is $1.1 million.

“No one city was isolated in having to deal with the opioid crisis,” she said.

Opioid settlements allocationsTable
Infogram

Tolbert said the cities aren’t getting enough money to make a major difference on their own. While Arlington has funded programs to direct people toward treatment, she believes working with the county could further that work and sustain it.

“Here in Arlington, the community was hit hard by the opioid crisis,” she said. “We want to spend funds in a way that is meaningful.”

Earlier in the year, Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers released a “holistic plan” to spend the first $1.4 million of county settlement money. The county is expected to get a total payment of $29.8 million.

The plan would make naloxone more available to first responders and work to educate young people about the dangers of substance use disorder. It would also act to continue researching the depth of the crisis.

Last week, the county released its latest strategies and goals to combat the opioid epidemic using the settlement money. Goals include working with school superintendents on prevention education, training county staff to administer naloxone and investigating the feasibility of a mobile opioid treatment program.

Jenelle Baumbach: 360-352-8623; jenelle.baumbach@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @jenelleclar.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Firefighters respond to a 911 call on July 16, 2024, in Mill Creek. Firefighters from South County Fire, Tulalip Bay Fire Department and Camano Island Fire and Rescue left Wednesday to help fight the LA fires. (Photo provided by South County Fire)
Help is on the way: Snohomish County firefighters en route to LA fires

The Los Angeles wildfires have caused at least 180,000 evacuations. The crews expect to arrive Friday.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River. Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council approves water, sewer rate increases

The 43% rise in combined water and sewer rates will pay for large infrastructure projects.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

The Everett Municipal Building on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett council approves $111 million construction of sewer project

The Port Gardner Storage Facility, in the works for more than a decade, will help prevent overflows of the city sewer system.

Two students walk along a path through campus Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, at Everett Community College in Everett, Washington. A group of nearly 20 community groups are planning to study how to make it easier for young people to find jobs. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Goal for Everett coalition: Make it easier for young people to find jobs

The organizations hope the months-long process will improve access to resources for young people.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.