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Nevada rejects multistate
settlement, continues resolution discussions with opioid litigation defendants
Carson City, NV – Today, Attorney General Aaron D. Ford
announced Nevada finalized an intrastate allocation agreement with all of the
state’s counties and litigating cities, which will provide a mechanism for the allocation
of any opioid-related settlement funds in the state. While Nevada will not be
joining the recently announced multistate settlements with Johnson &
Johnson’s U.S.-based Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies or numerous opioids
distributors, the agreement provides the framework for any potential
settlements with opioids companies in the future.
“Nevada continues to be one of the
hardest-hit states by the opioid crisis, and the compensation for Nevadans must
be commensurate to the harm these companies caused,” said AG Ford. “While I commend our sister states on two hard-fought
multistate settlements, I will continue working toward a resolution with any
defendant that more adequately addresses the devastation felt by every Nevadan
who has experienced the tragedy of the opioid crisis.”
In 2020, Nevada saw a 40% increase in
opioid-related overdose deaths for a total of 484 — the highest single-year
death number on record for opioid-related deaths in Nevada. Economically, the
opioid crisis has forced Nevada to incur dramatically increased costs of health
and human services, including healthcare, child welfare, criminal justice and
many other programs needed to remediate the harms, impact and risks caused by
the opioid epidemic to Nevada and to its residents.
"The emotional and economic burden of
the opioid epidemic has been staggering in its effects on those across all
walks of life,” said Clark County Commission Chairwoman Marilyn Kirkpatrick. “Unfortunately, the proposed settlement
does not go far enough in addressing this calamity. We need a solution that
truly meets the needs and improves the lives of those affected in their short-
and long-term recovery. Those responsible for this scourge on our society must
be held accountable."
The intrastate allocation agreement will
ensure that funds from any future settlements are allocated between the state
and local governments as a whole in a fair and equitable manner. The statewide
agreement will also allow Nevada to continue discussions with all or any of the
defendants who want to do the right thing and settle with Nevada and all of its
counties and litigating cities and to begin the much-needed process of
redressing the impact of the opioid epidemic across the entire state.
Signatories to the agreement have expressed
support for Nevada's decision to not join the proposed settlements. These
include statements from the counties of Douglas, Humboldt, Mineral and Washoe,
as well as the cities of North Las Vegas, West Wendover and Sparks.
“Opioid dependency has hit every corner of
our community,” said Mineral County Commissioner Christine Hoferer. “These cases are personal. We firmly believe
by joining with the State of Nevada and our Nevada Counties that we have the
greatest chance of achieving justice for those harmed by the opioid epidemic.”
"On Aug. 5, 2021,
the Douglas County Board of Commissioners approved an agreement with the State
of Nevada and other local jurisdictions related to the allocation of any
monetary recovery related to the opioid crisis,” said Douglas County Manager Patrick Cates. “Therefore, Douglas County
does not intend to participate in the various multi-state settlement
discussions related to the damages caused by the opioid epidemic in our
community. We believe standing together with the State of Nevada and other
local governments, Douglas County will be able to negotiate a more equitable
settlement with the defendants."
"Local governments
within the state of Nevada, as well as the state of Nevada, are unified in our
efforts to combat the opioid epidemic that has devastated and destroyed the
lives of countless Nevadans,” said Humboldt
County Commission Chairman Ron Cerri. “Through the One Nevada Agreement, we
have determined a fair and equitable manner for distribution of funds necessary
to address the medical, social, psychological and economic consequences of the
opioid epidemic within each community in the State of Nevada. Humboldt County
appreciates Attorney General Ford's decision not to participate in multi-state
settlement discussions, but rather to pursue a remedy on behalf of all Nevadans
through our One Nevada Agreement. Humboldt
County looks forward to those responsible taking accountability for their
actions and inactions and reaching a resolution so that funds can be used to
provide programs and services to those directly impacted by the opioid epidemic
who so desperately need them."
“The opioid epidemic has
disproportionately affected the citizens of the State of Nevada generally, and
Washoe County in particular,” said
Washoe County Commission Chair Bob Lucey. “As reflected in the approval of
the One Nevada Allocation Agreement, Washoe County supports General Ford’s
efforts to negotiate a deal directly with the opioid distributors and
manufacturers to address the unique and devastating effects that this epidemic
has had on our community.”
“It’s no secret that
Nevada is among the states that have been hardest hit by the opioid epidemic,
and the residents of North Las Vegas have seen the fallout firsthand,” said North Las Vegas City Councilman Scott
Black. “This is an issue in which we all stand united, and we support
Attorney General Ford’s decision not to participate in any multi-state
settlement as we continue to fight for our fair share to help address this
ongoing crisis.”
"The proposed
multistate settlements would be a bad deal for West Wendover as well as the
State of Nevada and we fully support Attorney General Aaron Ford's decision to
not participate in these settlements,” said
West Wendover Mayor Daniel Corona. “I want to thank General Ford for his
leadership and work to ensure that West Wendover and Nevada will be properly
compensated for the damage done by the reckless behavior of the pharmaceutical
companies who are responsible for the opioid crisis."
“We are devastated that
Nevada is one of the states hardest hit by the opioid crisis,” said Sparks Mayor Ed Lawson. “The
multi-state settlement formula would not account for the severe impacts the
opioid crisis had on our state due to our relatively small population. We stand
behind the decision not to participate in the proposed multi-state opioid
settlements and believe this will empower us to negotiate more favorably. Our
goal is to send a strong message and hold those who have caused so much harm
accountable for their actions.”
A copy of the One Nevada Intrastate
Allocation Agreement can be found here.
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