COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Branch County Administrator Bud Norman told the Board of Commissioners during a brief work session on Thursday that they have received three requests for the use of their Opioid Settlement Fund and they expect another request in the near future.
He said the county has received $228,000 so far with payments being spread out over 18 years.
The matter will be discussed further during the Commissioners next work meeting on May 18.
Branch County Commissioners decided in 2018 to join other Michigan cities and counties in a lawsuit against 21 drug companies, distributors and pharmacies in an attempt to get back expenses from the national opioid crisis.
The Detroit law firm of Sommers and Schwartz worked on behalf of Branch County.
Sommers and Schwartz attorney Lisa Esser said during a presentation to Commissioners in 2018 there were 268 opioid overdoses in Branch County between 2013 and 2016. She added the administration of Narcan was a cost that could be recouped as part of the litigation.
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