The Washington County Board of Supervisors approved signing the National Opioid Settlement with Purdue Pharma. 

Supervisor Jack Seward Jr. gave more information on the settlement, “I think this is just another step because the opioid settlement that they have entered into, federally have entered into, it’s staggered, the money that they are going to pay out. Payment was going to be delayed, and this is just an agreement to say, ‘We have participated, and we agree to accept the money and the agreement.’” 

In June, Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird announced that Iowa agreed to sign on to a $7.4 billion settlement with Purdue Pharma and its owners, the Sackler family. All 50 states and the District of Columbia signed onto the settlement. The settlement resolved litigation against Purdue and the Sacklers for their role in creating and worsening the opioid crisis across the country. 

Opioid settlement funds are typically used for rehabilitation programs by the counties. Washington County has previously used opioid funds for County Outreach.