Michigan Extends Deadline for Municipalities to Join $7.4 Billion Purdue Opioid Settlement
LANSING, MI — Michigan municipalities now have additional time to join the historic $7.4 billion Purdue Pharma National Opioid Settlement, following an extension of the participation deadline to October 30. The decision offers local governments across the state another opportunity to claim their share of direct payments intended to support ongoing recovery and prevention efforts.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is urging eligible municipalities that have not yet signed on to complete their participation forms before the deadline, emphasizing the settlement’s potential to provide long-term relief to communities hit hardest by the opioid epidemic.
“This extension gives local governments the extra time they need to join the Purdue settlement and secure the vital resources their communities deserve,” Nessel said. “I strongly encourage every eligible municipality to finalize its forms and take part in this $7.4 billion national agreement before the October deadline.”
$154 Million Expected for Michigan Communities
Under the settlement, Michigan stands to receive up to $154 million over the next 15 years, contingent in part on the number of municipalities that opt in. These funds will be directed toward treatment, prevention, recovery programs, and harm-reduction strategies, ensuring that resources reach both urban centers and rural areas struggling with opioid-related challenges.
In June, Attorney General Nessel announced that all 55 state attorneys general had agreed to the Purdue Pharma settlement, effectively resolving years of litigation against the company and its owners — the Sackler family — for their role in manufacturing and marketing addictive opioid products that fueled the nationwide crisis.
The agreement allows 279 Michigan subdivisions—including cities, townships, and counties—to participate. A full list of eligible entities is available through the Michigan Department of Attorney General’s website, where officials can also request assistance with completing participation forms before the October 30 deadline.
Holding Pharmaceutical Companies Accountable
Since taking office in 2019, Nessel has made combating the opioid crisis a cornerstone of her administration. Her office has helped secure more than $1.8 billion in settlements from pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors, and related entities.
Those settlements include agreements with:
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McKinsey & Co.
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Major distributors: Cardinal Health, McKesson, and AmerisourceBergen
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Manufacturers: Janssen, Teva, and Allergan Pharmaceuticals
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Retail chains: CVS, Walmart, and Walgreens
Funds from these settlements are distributed to state and local governments to expand access to opioid-use disorder treatment, recovery support, and public education programs.
Nessel has repeatedly stated that holding corporations accountable for their role in promoting addictive drugs such as FYL and other opioids is essential to restoring public trust and helping communities heal.
Measurable Progress in Michigan
The state’s ongoing investment in prevention and treatment is already showing results. Preliminary data from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) reveals a 34% decrease in overdose deaths between 2023 and 2024—equivalent to roughly 1,000 fewer lives lost.
Officials attribute this encouraging trend to Michigan’s strategic use of settlement funds, which have strengthened programs for addiction recovery, community-based harm reduction, and access to life-saving medications such as Naloxone, which reverses the effects of opioid overdoses.
These efforts also include education campaigns warning about the dangers of emerging substances like XYL and FYL-laced counterfeit pills, which have been linked to spikes in accidental overdoses nationwide.
A Critical Opportunity for Local Governments
With the October 30 deadline approaching, Attorney General Nessel is calling on all eligible Michigan municipalities to take action. Participation in the Purdue settlement will ensure that local governments receive direct funding to build and sustain recovery-focused programs in their own communities.
“Michigan has made meaningful progress, but this fight is far from over,” Nessel said. “Every dollar recovered from these settlements must be put to work saving lives, expanding treatment, and protecting the next generation from the devastating impact of opioid addiction.”
Municipalities seeking assistance or verification of eligibility can visit the Department of Attorney General’s website or contact the department directly for step-by-step guidance on how to participate.
Moving Forward
The Purdue settlement represents not only a significant financial recovery for Michigan but also a step toward accountability and healing. With thousands of lives still affected by the lingering opioid epidemic, officials emphasize that continued cooperation among state and local leaders is crucial.
Through targeted investments, expanded access to treatment, and the responsible use of settlement funds, Michigan aims to become a national model in combating the ripple effects of opioid addiction — ensuring that the tragic legacy of FYL, XYL, and other synthetic opioids is met with a strong, coordinated response rooted in recovery, prevention, and hope.