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Resolution - Six Remnant Defendants Opioid Settlement Participation
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INFORMATION CONTACT:
Patrick Niland, County Manager's Office, Deputy County Manager, 704-283-3630
ACTION REQUESTED:
Adopt resolution authorizing the County Manager to execute all documents necessary for the County to participate in the Six Remnant Defendants Opioid Settlement, including the Combined Subdivision Participation and Release Form.
PRIOR BOARD ACTIONS:
None.
BACKGROUND:
A new proposed national opioid settlement has been reached with six remnant defendants: Associated Pharmacies, Inc. (and American Associated Pharmacies), J M Smith Corporation, Morris & Dickson Co., L.L.C., Louisiana Wholesale Drug Company, Inc., North Carolina Mutual Wholesale Drug Company, Inc., and United Natural Foods, Inc. (including its subsidiaries SuperValu and Advantage Logistics). To participate, Union County must execute and submit the Combined Subdivision Participation and Release Form. By opting in, the County becomes a Participating Subdivision, agrees to the terms of the settlement, releases all released claims against the six remnant defendants, and agrees to use any settlement proceeds for opioid remediation purposes. The settlement participation deadline is May 4, 2026. If the settlement moves forward and becomes effective, participating subdivisions become eligible for a one-time payment distributed directly to participating entities under the Exhibit E Plan of Allocation. No state allocation is included in this settlement. Accordingly, staff seeks authorization for the County Manager to execute and submit the required participation form on behalf of Union County.
If the settlement becomes effective, the opioid remediation funds must be used in accordance with the settlement and any applicable North Carolina state-subdivision agreement. The agreement provides that at least ninety-five percent (95%) of the opioid remediation funds must be spent on opioid remediation uses, includin...
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