Attorney General Kaul Joins Law Enforcement, Public Health Officials Across Wisconsin to Highlight Additional NARCAN® from Opioid Settlements
Opioid Settlements Yield 31,560 Additional Doses of NARCAN® for Wisconsin Law Enforcement
MADISON, Wis. – Attorney General Josh Kaul is traveling across Wisconsin to highlight the lifesaving NARCAN® that is being distributed to law enforcement agencies across the state because of the millions Wisconsin has received from lawsuits against opioids manufacturers, distributors, and pharmacies.
While some opioid matters remain ongoing, Wisconsin is already set to receive over $764 million in settlement funds. Consistent with 2021 Wisconsin Act 57, 87 local governments that participated in the opioid litigation receive 70 percent of the funds, with the state receiving 30 percent of the funds. Of that 30 percent, in fiscal year 2024, Wisconsin’s Department of Health Services (DHS) will receive $30 million. DHS has already received $8 million this year, and it is being used for prevention and treatment of opioid use disorder.
“We are incredibly grateful that the State of Wisconsin stepped up to assist public safety in the acquisition and administration of local Narcan® supplies. We would likely not have been able to obtain and maintain a similar supply on our own,” said Merrill Police Chief Corey Bennett. “As you might know, time is of the essence regarding the effective administration of Narcan®. Now that all of our officers and squad cars are equipped, the odds of timely assistance have dramatically improved. Our community and our officers are also much safer because this program exists.”
The DHS portion of the Joint Committee on Finance-approved plan for use of fiscal year 2023 settlement funds includes $5 million in Narcan and fentanyl test strips, including $750,000 for 135 law enforcement agencies across Wisconsin to expand access to NARCAN®. So far, law enforcement agencies across Wisconsin are receiving 31,560 additional doses of NARCAN®.
As of July 2023, national investigations and litigation against the pharmaceutical industry over the opioid crisis has led to more than $50 billion; Wisconsin’s share so far is over $764 million. These funds are being used to prevent and treat opioid use disorder.
View the press release on the DOJ website here.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.
More about the Opioid Crisis
- Baldwin Backed Legislation to Crack Down on Fentanyl Traffickers Heads to President’s Desk - U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin - Apr 24th, 2024
- Legislature Stalls Opioid Settlement Funds. Again - Erik Gunn - Apr 23rd, 2024
- Milwaukee Bucks Legend Marques Johnson Joins Forces with Serenity Inns to Combat Opioid Epidemic in Milwaukee - Serenity Inns - Apr 23rd, 2024
- Law Enforcement Agencies Awarded Grants from State Opioid Settlement Funds - Wisconsin Department of Health Services - Apr 18th, 2024
- MKE County: County Wins Award for Opioid Settlement Fund Usage - Graham Kilmer - Apr 4th, 2024
- MKE County: County Offering $2.8 Million For Opioid Addiction Programs - Graham Kilmer - Mar 28th, 2024
- Senator Baldwin Calls on House to Pass Bill that Cracks Down on Fentanyl Traffickers - U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin - Feb 15th, 2024
- Attorney General Josh Kaul announces $350 million settlement with marketing firm over its role in opioid epidemic - Wisconsin Department of Justice - Feb 1st, 2024
- Grants Will Fund Recovery Housing For Those Facing Homelessness and Battling Opioids - Margaret Faust - Jan 12th, 2024
- Baldwin Helps Advance Bipartisan Bill to Address Opioid and Fentanyl Crisis - U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin - Dec 14th, 2023
Read more about Opioid Crisis here
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