HAVRE, Mont. (NMB) – Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has announced that the state is receiving $80 million following the final approval of an opioid settlement.
The settlement involved multiple states and the payout comes from the nation’s three major pharmaceutical distributors for their roles in fueling the national opioid epidemic.
In a conversation with New Media Broadcasters, Knudsen credited former Attorney General Tim Fox for doing much of the legwork on the settlement and said the money will be put to good use.
“It’s gonna go to prevention, for the most part, in the state of Montana. There’s gonna be some grants. Actually the local subdivisions, as far as cities and counties were specifically involved. They are going to get a certain portion of the money … This is definitely a big win for the people of Montana. 80 million bucks we’re going to be able to use for opioid prevention.”
Local subdivisions will receive 15 percent of the settlement and could receive additional funding from the settlement abatement fund that comprises 70 percent. The remaining funds go to the state.
