Pontiac, Michigan – Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter released the following statement on the national opioid lawsuit settlement announced by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel today. In October of 2017, Oakland County and Wayne County made the innovative and aggressive decision to be the first Michigan co-plaintiffs to hold opioid manufacturers and distributors accountable for the national opioid crisis:

“Oakland County joined other Michigan jurisdictions in the lawsuit against opioid manufacturers and distributors because our Health Division, Medical Examiner’s Office, and local law enforcement saw firsthand how dangerous a public health crisis opioid addiction had become. I commend Attorney General Nessel for helping to reach a national settlement with three of the four defendants. The money both the state and county will receive will provide some justice for individuals and families impacted by prescription addiction by funding intervention, treatment, and other services. There is, however, more to be done. My administration will continue to work with local health care systems, community partners, and the Oakland County Board of Commissioners to have a plan to use these funds to address treatment and prevention of future addiction.”