Sonoma County Invests Opioid Settlement Funds in Innovative Treatment and Education Programs

Sonoma County is set to use millions from a legal settlement with opioid companies to support treatment and education efforts. The county Board of Supervisors recently decided to allocate a significant portion of its $43 million share to various programs aimed at addressing mental health and substance abuse issues.

So far, Sonoma County has received $12.7 million and anticipates an additional $31 million over the next 14 years. This includes a forthcoming $3.5 million later this year, with the possibility of more funds as other legal settlements are finalized.

This settlement is part of a massive $26 billion agreement reached in 2021 with major pharmaceutical firms and drug distributors. These companies faced lawsuits from states, cities, and counties, accused of promoting opioids like fentanyl while downplaying addiction risks.

Supervisor Lynda Hopkins emphasized the importance of these funds, stating, “The opioid crisis is complex, and these drugs have done significant harm to our community. The settlement funds will allow for a much-needed opportunity for expansion of education, outreach, care and community services.”

The 2021 settlement includes agreements with companies like McKesson, Cardinal Health, and Johnson & Johnson. In 2022, additional settlements were reached with Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, and manufacturers like Allergan and Teva, contributing further to the fund.

In 2023, more settlements were tentatively reached with Kroger and Hikma Pharmaceuticals, which could boost the funds Sonoma County receives. Furthermore, McKinsey & Company has agreed to a $650 million settlement for their role in promoting these drugs.

One of the most significant settlements involved the Sackler family, who formerly owned Purdue Pharma. They agreed to relinquish control of the company following decades of aggressive marketing and manufacturing of opioids, which have led to widespread addiction and overdose deaths. California Attorney General Rob Bonta highlighted the devastation caused by Purdue under the Sacklers’ direction.

In Sonoma County, cities involved in the lawsuits can choose to manage their portion of the funds or let the county oversee the distribution. Rohnert Park, Sonoma, and Windsor have opted for the county to manage their shares.

The Board of Supervisors has set aside $11.6 million for programs that focus on treatment, prevention, education, rehabilitation, and harm reduction. Funds will be allocated after reviewing public proposals for potential programs. Additionally, $3.8 million will be designated for a matching state grant to establish a 64-bed residential treatment center for individuals facing severe mental health and substance use challenges.

For the next three years, Sonoma County will also hire a full-time counselor to assist with various programs, including youth outreach and educational initiatives.

In 2023, opioids accounted for about 76% of overdoses in Sonoma County, with fentanyl being linked to 90% of those fatalities. This statistic places Sonoma County 27th out of 58 California counties in terms of overdose death rates per capita.