Idaho to receive nearly $119M for opioid fight

Idaho officials on Friday agreed to a $119 million settlement with drugmaker Johnson & Johnson and three major distributors over their role in the opioid addiction crisis.

Republican Gov. Brad Little and Republican Attorney General Lawrence Wasden in an announcement said it’s the second-largest consumer settlement in state history, trailing only the 1998 national tobacco settlement.

An Ada County judge on Wednesday approved the settlement that includes all 44 Idaho counties, 24 cities and the state’s seven health districts.

The special districts in North Idaho who participated in the settlement are Kootenai Health, Kootenai County Fire & Rescue and Northern Lakes Fire Protection.

Idaho could receive its first settlement payment in the next several weeks.

“Altogether, our investments and activities will turn the tide on the opioid crisis," Little said.

All funds must be spent on opioid remediation programs.