Orange County received over $3 million in opioid settlements from the manufacturers and distributors of opioids, New York State Attorney General Letitia James announced yesterday. The Hudson Valley will receive $10.8 million this year.
These payments are only the first round to be distributed across the Hudson Valley and beyond from a $1.5 billion settlement that the Attorney General’s Office secured. As part of the settlement, the Hudson Valley and Westchester will receive up to $95 million over a several year period.
In 2022, Orange County will receive $3,094,371 – the second highest of all counties across the region. Westchester will receive $5,875,882.
The distribution of money to Orange County comes after James toured the Cornerstone Family Healthcare Center for Recovery in the City of Newburgh last October to address her efforts to combat the opioid crisis.
These payments are the first of many to the Hudson Valley and Westchester to combat the opioid crisis. The first payments come from settlements with opioid distributors AmerisourceBergen Corporation, Cardinal Health, Inc., and McKesson Corporation.
Later this year, the Hudson Valley and Westchester County will receive additional payments from the settlements with Endo Health Solutions, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, and Allergan. In addition, counties and cities will receive funds from the New York State Opioid Settlement Fund, which is managed by the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports.
Cases against Mallinckrodt, Purdue Pharma, and Rochester Drug Cooperative are now moving separately through U.S. Bankruptcy Court.
“These funds will help us combat this crisis and ensure that those struggling with addiction get the support they need,” said James. “While no amount of money will ever make up for the lives we’ve lost, these funds will be vital in helping to prevent future deaths and destruction.”
