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New York is part of a nationwide $7.4 billion settlement with Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family, holding them accountable for their role in the opioid crisis. The settlement, announced by a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general, aims to address the widespread addiction and overdose deaths caused by opioids. New York will receive up to $250 million for opioid abatement efforts across the state.
According to the New York Attorney General's Office, the settlement will be distributed over 15 years, with most funds allocated in the first three years. The Sacklers will pay $1.5 billion initially, and Purdue will contribute nearly $900 million, followed by additional payments over the next three years. The settlement ends the Sacklers' control over Purdue and prohibits them from selling opioids in the United States.
The settlement also mandates the release of over 30 million documents related to Purdue's opioid business, increasing transparency and accountability. This agreement follows the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn a previous multistate settlement in June 2024, which did not provide the Sacklers with automatic liability protection.
The funds will support opioid addiction treatment, prevention, and recovery programs nationwide, with a board of trustees overseeing Purdue's future operations. The settlement marks the largest of its kind against individuals responsible for the opioid crisis.