Marshall County Attorney Jim Clevenger told the Marshall County Commissioners Monday morning that the county will be getting opioid settlement money very soon.
Marshall County joined in a multi-district, federal litigation against the manufacturers and distributors of highly addictive prescription medications in 2018. In all, the county is expected to receive $680,317.19 from four defendants in the litigation. After various attorney fees are distributed, the total would be less $59,187.
About 70 percent of that money is restricted, meaning the Marshall County Health Department will be able to initiate programs to combat drugs abuse, aid in recovery, and educate the public about the dangers of opioids or other drugs. Clevenger asked the commissioners to approve several documents to claim this money, including opting back into the Opioid Settlement under IC code, and approval of Settlement Participation forms for the four distributors involved. An amendment to the attorney fee agreement to Cohen and Malad was also up for approval. The commissioners approved all documents presented with a unanimous vote.
