News

Maine Spent $3 Million in Opioid Settlement Money, $19 Million Unspent

Maine Spent $3 Million in Opioid Settlement Money, $19 Million Unspent

Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio


A new report shows Maine spent $3 million in opioid settlement funds last year.

The money comes from nationwide settlements with more than a dozen pharmaceutical companies that made or sold prescription opioids.

It’s intended to address harms caused by the opioid epidemic by supporting treatment, harm reduction, recovery, and prevention efforts.

The new data collected by the attorney general’s office and the University of Southern Maine shows more than $19 million in funds that have yet to be spent.

It shows that 29 local governments spent some funds last year, with just over 40 percent of the money going to police departments and jails.

The counties and municipalities spent the most on harm reduction and treatment efforts, while prevention programming received the least amount of funding.

The settlement money has been coming after years of lawsuits brought by dozens of states and hundreds of plaintiffs against companies such as Purdue Pharma, Johnson & Johnson, and CVS Pharmacy, contending the companies profited from misleading information about the addictive and deadly aspects of pharmaceutical opioids.

Latest Headlines

21 hours ago in Local

A House Fire in a South Portland Leaves Occupant Homeless

Fire Crews responded to the house fire on Cole Street, Friday night. The Red Cross is currently helping with providing temporary lodging for the displaced occupant.

21 hours ago in Local

A Fatal Fire in Readfield, Claims a Life of a Woman

75-year-old Carolyn Wentworth was found dead hours after the fire was extinguished. Her husband, 74-year-old Jerrold Wentworth, was resecured by neighbors and is currently in serious condition at the Maine General Medical Center in Augusta.

2 days ago in Local

Driver cited after rear-ending MTA maintenance vehicle in Cumberland

A maintenance worker with the Maine Turnpike Authority suffered minor injuries when their truck was rear-ended in Cumberland Friday morning.

2 days ago in Local

Maine medical examiner says Milford toddler died of hypothermia

State officials say a toddler who was found unresponsive in Milford a few days after Christmas died of hypothermia.

2 days ago in National, Trending

US employers added a surprisingly strong 178,000 jobs last month, rebounding from a weak February

American employers added a surprisingly strong 178,000 new jobs last month, rebounding from a dismal February. And the unemployment...