Commonwealth Policy Center

Many families across the commonwealth have been deeply affected by opioid abuse. In fact, Kentucky is facing an epidemic, driven in part by marketing of big pharmaceutical companies. As part of a successful multi-state lawsuit against drug manufacturers and distributors, including Johnson & Johnson, the state will receive more than $460 million in the settlement. The money will be used for addiction prevention and treatment. Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron “This agreement doesn’t conclude the process but is a major step in our efforts to return these settlement dollars to the commonwealth.” We have a long way to go, as there were 93,000 overdose deaths in the US last year.  But through this settlement, Kentucky can provide relief and help prevent others from going down the path of addiction.