Gov. Walz signs bill into law providing $300M to address opioid crisis

(ABC 6 NEWS) – Minnesota Governor Tim signed a bill into law providing $300 million to address the state’s opioid crisis.

The legislation ensures that Minnesota’s share of a multi-state settlement will be used in areas like education, treatment, prevention, and recovery strategies.

“The faster we can get these resources into the hands of our communities, the better,” said Governor Walz. He added, “This legislation allows us to hold pharmaceutical companies accountable for the devastation they’ve caused for families across the state, while expanding the systems that work and investing in new strategies to help communities address the crisis.”

In February, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced a multi-state $26 billion agreement with the opioid manufacturer, Johnson & Johnson as well as distributors Cardinal, McKesson, and AmerisourceBergen.

Minnesota’s share of this agreement was $300 million over the next 18 years.

75% of these funds will go to local governments and 25% will go to the state.