MIDDLESEX – Though likely a small comfort to families who lost loved ones to the prescription and synthetic drug epidemic, area communities will recuperate nearly $4.3 million expended in the now decades-long battle against opioids, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey revealed last week.
During a press conference in Boston’s City Hall last Tuesday, Healey, flanked by dozens of state and municipal leaders, announced that nearly $210 million will be allocated directly to Massachusetts’ cities and towns under a $26 billion legal settlement reached with a handful of pharmaceutical makers and drug distributors.
“I end this [fight] where the whole journey began, and that’s with the families of Massachusetts,” said Healey. “So many families across so many realms and walks of life, in every city and town in this state, have had visited upon them devastating loss, devastating crisis, and devastating trauma.”
Local cities and towns will receive the financial compensation in annual payments that will begin this summer and continue through 2038. Per a tentative settlement breakdown released by Healey’s office, area communities will receive larger front-end allotments over the next few years, before the annual payments drop down to a fixed annual rate.
The payment terms are as follows for the following Middlesex East cities and towns
Source: Home News Here
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