2023-11 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF OPIOID SETTLEMENTS AND APPROVING THE SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENTHarnett RESOLUTION NO. 2023-11
COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
A RESOLUTION BY THE HARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF OPIOID SETTLEMENTS AND APPROVING THE
SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDS BETWEEN THE STATE OF
NORTH CAROLINA AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ON PROCEEDS RELATING TO THE
SETTLEMENT OF OPIOID LITIGATION
WHEREAS, as of 2021, the opioid epidemic had taken the lives of more than 32,000 North
Carolinians,torn families apart, and ravaged communities from the mountains to the coast; and
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has compounded the opioid crisis, increasing levels of
drug misuse, addiction, and overdose death; and
WHEREAS,the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates the total "economic
burden" of prescription opioid misuse alone in the United States is $78.5 billion a year, including the
costs of healthcare, lost productivity, addiction treatment, and criminal justice involvement; and
WHEREAS, Harnett County's drug overdose death rate in 2021 was 52.2 per 100,000 residents,
which represents 71 total deaths for that year and the drug overdose emergency department visit rate in
2021 was 203.0 trips per 100,000 residents, which represents 276 total ED visits for that year; and
WHEREAS, certain counties and municipalities in North Carolina joined with thousands of
local governments across the country to file lawsuit against opioid manufacturers, pharmaceutical
distribution companies, and chain drug stores to hold those companies accountable for their misconduct;
and
WHEREAS, settlements have been reached in litigation against Walmart, Inc., Teva
Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Allergan Finance, LLC, Allergan Limited, CVS Health Corporation,
CVS Pharmacy, Inc., and Walgreen Co., as well as their subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, and directors
named in the these Settlements; and
WHEREAS, representatives of local North Carolina governments, the North Carolina
Association of County Commissioners, and the North Carolina Department of Justice have negotiated
and prepared a Supplemental Agreement for Additional Funds ("SAAF")to provide for the equitable
distribution of the proceeds of these settlements; and
WHEREAS, by joining the settlements and approving the SAAF, the state and local
governments maximize North Carolina's share of opioid settlement funds to ensure the needed
resources reach communities as quickly, effectively, and directly as possible; and
WHEREAS, it is advantageous to all North Carolinians for local governments, including
Harnett County and its citizens, to sign onto the settlements and SAAF and demonstrate solidarity in
response to the opioid epidemic, and to maximize the share of opioid settlement funds received both in
the state and this County to help abate the harm; and
WHEREAS, the SAAF directs substantial resources over multiple years to local governments
on the front lines of the opioid epidemic while ensuring that these resources are used in an effective way
to address the crisis.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,the Harnett County Board of Commissioners
hereby authorizes the County Manager to execute all documents necessary to enter into opioid
settlement agreements with Walmart, Inc., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Allergan Finance, LLC,
Allergan Limited, CVS Health Corporation, CVS Pharmacy, Inc., and Walgreen Co, to execute the
SAAF, and to provide such documents to Rubris, the Implementation Administrator.
Adopted this the 6th day of March, 2023.
Matthew B. Nicol, Chairman
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
ATTEST:
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Agenda Item
MEETING DATE: March 6, 2023
TO: HARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
SUBJECT: Resolution for the Execution of Opioid Settlements and Supplemental
Agreement relating to Opioid Litigation
REQUESTED BY: Christopher Appel - Senior Staff Attorney
REQUEST:
Legal Department requests the approval of a Resolution for the execution of Opioid
Settlements and the Supplemental Agreement for Additional Funds between the State
of North Carolina and Local Governments on Proceeds Relating to the Settlement of
Opioid Litigation. The Resolution, if approved,will authorize the County Manager to
execute all necessary documents related to the Opioid Settlements and the
Supplemental Agreement.
FINANCE OFFICER'S RECOMMENDATION:
COUNTY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION:
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