title
Resolution to Authorize Participation in Additional Opioid Litigation
body
Department:
City Attorney's Office
Meeting Date:
4/21/2026
Contact Name:
Meredith Everhart
Public Hearing:
No
Contact Phone:
910-341-7820
Advertising Date/Advertised By:
N/A
Attachments:
Attachment #1: Resolution
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this resolution is to approve the City's participation in additional opioid litigation involving six (6) "Remnant Defendants" who were not part of the original National Opioid Litigation, but who have reached settlements agreements with local and state governments over their participation in the national opioid crisis.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Wilmington has been at the forefront of the National Opioid Litigation since its inception, resulting in settlements that will continue to distribute funds to the City from various manufacturer, pharmacy, and distributor defendants for at least fifteen (15) more years. During the course of this litigation, a Memorandum of Agreement ("MOA") was entered into between the State of North Carolina and all participating counties and cities related to how settlement funds would be distributed throughout the State, and setting forth rules for how the settlement funds could be used to address the opioid crisis. Similarly, the City of Wilmington entered into an additional interlocal agreement ("ILA") with New Hanover County to combine all settlement funds received by the City into the County's settlement funds, to achieve the greatest benefit for citizens receiving opioid-related services.
There are six (6) entities, referred to as the "Remnant Defendants," who were not made defendants during the original opioid litigation, but who have nonetheless decided to enter into settlement agreements related to their contribution to the national opioid crisis. These defendants include Associated Pharmacies, Inc., J. M. Smith Corporation, Louisiana Wholesale Drug Company, Inc., Morris and Dickson Co., North Carolina...
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