Kentucky will receive an additional $73.1 million from Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family as part of a nationwide settlement over their role in fueling the opioid epidemic, Attorney General Russell Coleman announced this week. With this latest agreement, Kentucky’s total recovery from opioid-related settlements has now topped $1 billion.
“For too long, Kentucky families have been suffering the deadly consequences of those behind the drug crisis. These resources won’t bring back lost loved ones, but they may be able to prevent future tragedies,” Coleman said. “With more than $1 billion, Kentucky is investing in prevention, treatment and recovery programs that will save lives and turn the page on this crisis.”
Under the Sackler family's leadership, Purdue Pharma manufactured and marketed opioid painkillers for decades. This settlement permanently ends Sackler ownership of the company and bars the family from selling opioids in the United States. It is the largest opioid-related settlement to date involving individual defendants.
The Commonwealth previously settled with Purdue Pharma in 2015 for $24 million—resolving the bulk of Kentucky’s legal claims at the time. This new agreement comes as part of a broader $7.4 billion national settlement reached by attorneys general from 55 states and U.S. territories.
Local governments nationwide will now be asked to join the settlement, which is still subject to final approval in bankruptcy court.
In Kentucky, settlement funds are split evenly:
- 50% is managed by the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission, which awards grants for prevention, treatment, recovery and research.
- 50% is distributed directly to counties and cities.
Upcoming training for counties: Preparing for opioid settlement reporting
Local governments are required to report how they allocate opioid settlement funds. To support counties as they prepare for new reporting requirements, KACo will host a training for county officials on Tuesday, June 24 previewing the Attorney General’s new local government opioid settlement reporting portal. The portal is scheduled to launch on July 1, 2025.
Your County’s Role in Opioid Reporting: Key Info & First Steps
Date: June 24, 2025
Time: 2 p.m. ET
Location: Virtual - Zoom | Click here to register
While the portal is the final stage of development, this session will provide county officials with a clear overview of what to expect. Representatives from the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission will cover:
- Overview of reporting requirements
- Reporting timelines and key deadlines
- How to request a login and designate a county reporter
- First-year expectations and guidance
- General information about follow-up for unsubmitted reports
- Preview of the reporting dashboard and anticipated features
A live Q&A will follow the presentation. This training is highly recommended for all local officials involved in opioid settlement reporting and is intended to help counties begin preparing in advance of the portal’s release. For more information, contact KACo Opioid Settlement Advisor Lauren Carr at lauren.carr@kaco.org.
