AGENDA DATE: 4/15/2026
TITLE:
Authorization to Participate in the Six Remnant Defendants National Opioid Settlement
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Approval for Albemarle County to participate in the Six Remnant Defendants National Opioid Settlement and to execute the Combined Subdivision Participation and Release Form
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Herrick, Ruege, Sumner, Rakes, Morgan
PRESENTER (S): N/A
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: Albemarle County has received a Notice of New National Opioid Settlement and Upcoming Action Needed to Participate, advising that the County is an eligible Entity under a newly reached national settlement with the following distributors/dispenser defendants: Associated Pharmacies, Inc. (and American Associated Pharmacies), J M Smith Corporation, Louisiana Wholesale Drug Company, Inc., Morris and Dickson Co., North Carolina Mutual Wholesale Drug Company, Inc., and United Natural Foods, Inc., including subsidiaries SuperValu and Advantage Logistics. The Notice confirms the County’s eligibility to participate irrespective of prior opioid settlement participation.
The Settlement Overview (Attachment A) states that the combined settlement will provide $97,625,000.00 nationwide for opioid abatement, with Participating localities receiving a direct one-time allocation. Funds must be used for Core Strategies and Approved Uses set forth in the List of Opioid Remediation Uses (Attachment B). The settlement includes no state-level allocation, directing all funds solely to participating subdivisions.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Mission - To enhance the well-being and quality of life for all community members through the provision of the highest level of public service consistent with prudent use of public funds.
DISCUSSION: To participate, the County must affirmatively opt in by executing and submitting the Combined Subdivision Participation and Release Form. The deadline for submission is Monday, May 4, 2026. If the settlement is finalized, participating entities will then enter payment and contact information through an online portal administered by the settlement administrator.
Staff recommends participation because the settlement provides additional opioid abatement funding without affecting existing claims or previous settlements.
BUDGET IMPACT: Albemarle County’s allocation will be determined by the settlement’s pro-rata distribution model. All funds received must be used for approved opioid abatement strategies and will provide dedicated resources without requiring new local funding.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Board adopt the Resolution Authorizing Participation in the Six Remnant Defendants National Opioid Settlement (Attachment C) and authorize the County Attorney, County Executive, or their designee to execute all required documents and take necessary actions to effectuate participation.
ATTACHMENTS:
A - Settlement Overview
B - List of Opioid Remediation Uses
C - Proposed Resolution