Purdue Opioid Settlement Local Government Sign-on Deadline Extended to October 30

LANSING – The deadline for eligible municipalities to participate in the $7.4 billion Purdue Pharma National Opioid Settlement has been extended to October 30. The extension will give additional time to local governments in Michigan to sign on to receive direct payments. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is encouraging municipalities that have not yet joined the settlement to complete their participation forms by the deadline. Michigan governments stand to receive up to $154 million over the next 15 years, which is dependent, in part, on the participation of local governments. 

“This extension gives local governments extra time to sign on to the Purdue opioid settlement and secure the resources their communities need,” Nessel said. “I encourage every eligible municipality to complete its forms and take part in this $7.4 billion national settlement before the deadline.” 

In June, Attorney General Nessel announced that all 55 attorneys general agreed to sign on to the Purdue settlement, resolving litigation against Purdue and its owners, the Sackler family, for their role in creating and worsening the opioid crisis. The settlement allows 279 local units of government in Michigan – called subdivisions in the settlement agreement – to participate. The Department of Attorney General has a full list of eligible subdivisions on its website. If subdivisions need assistance with their participation forms, they can email the Department for additional instructions before the deadline. 

Since taking office in 2019, Attorney General Nessel has focused intently on combatting the opioid epidemic and holding accountable those responsible for creating and fueling the crisis, resulting in more than $1.8 billion to Michigan governments through settlements with McKinsey & Co, Distributors (Cardinal Health, McKesson, Inc., and AmerisourceBergen), Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Allergan Pharmaceutical, CVS, Walmart, and Walgreens. The money is distributed to the state and local units of government for opioid-use disorder treatment and remediation. 

Analysis of provisional data from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) indicates a 34% reduction in overdose deaths between 2023 and 2024 – about 1,000 fewer deaths. This continued progress reflects the impact of sustained, strategic investment in prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm-reduction efforts – many of which are made possible through additional funding received as a result of Michigan’s participation in the national opioid settlements.