The Opioid Epidemic in Nevada
The use, misuse, and abuse of opioids is one of the deadliest drug epidemics in United States history. Opioids are a class of highly addictive synthetic drugs prescribed for the treatment of moderate to severe pain and are derived from opium—pharmacologically similar to heroin.
Opioid addiction touches every corner of the United States and has affected Nevada more severely than other states.
On January 24, 2019, the Governor signed a Declaration and on May 2, 2019, the State of Nevada entered into a contract for legal representation for the investigation and litigation of individuals and companies responsible for impacts, harms, and risks of the opioids epidemic on Nevada and its residents. On March 9, 2021, the State of Nevada filed a Second Amended Complaint against numerous defendants.
On August 9, 2021, the State of Nevada, all Nevada counties, and all cities and districts with opioid related litigation, entered into an agreement to fairly and equitably allocate opioid recoveries, the One Nevada Agreement on Allocation of Opioid Recoveries.
In 2021, the State of Nevada passed legislation creating the Fund for a Resilient Nevada, in which the State of Nevada's share of opioid recoveries would be deposited and used to mitigate the harms, risks, and impacts of the opioid epidemic. (NRS 433.732)
Since April 2022, the State of Nevada, and signatories to the One Nevada Agreement, have had recoveries of more than $1.1 billion, which funds will be used to mitigate the opioid epidemic in Nevada.
Declaration of Findings
Contingency Fee Contract
Second Amended Complaint
One Nevada Agreement on Opioid Recoveries
Opioid Summary Totals
Opioid Summary State Totals