Medford, OR – Oregon is set to receive $66 million as part of a national $7.4 billion settlement with the Sackler family and their company, Purdue Pharma, following lawsuits tied to the opioid epidemic. The settlement, announced Wednesday by Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield, marks another significant financial gain in the state’s ongoing legal battle against pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors, and retailers accused of fueling the opioid crisis.
Since 2021, Oregon has secured over $645 million from various lawsuits related to opioid manufacturers, and this new settlement will further bolster funding for programs aimed at combating addiction and its consequences.
“This settlement ensures Oregon communities receive much-needed resources like drug treatment and prevention programs,” Rayfield said in a statement. “It’s about helping the communities that have carried the weight of the opioid crisis for too long and making sure the companies that helped cause this damage are held responsible.”
Oregon’s opioid crisis remains severe. According to the Oregon Health Authority, there were 1,480 overdose deaths in the state in 2024, with opioids involved in 76% of overdose fatalities in 2023. Synthetic opioids, including fentanyl and methamphetamine, continue to be the primary substances driving these deadly overdoses.
Under the terms of the settlement, Oregon will receive the $66 million over a nine-year period. Forty-five percent of the funds will be allocated to the state’s opioid settlement fund, while 55% will be distributed to local prevention and recovery programs. In Clackamas County, for example, these funds support initiatives such as jail opioid detox programs, medication for opioid use disorder, school-based prevention efforts, and peer recovery support services.
Oregon is one of 15 states participating in the settlement, which also includes California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia. The Sackler family has agreed to pay up to $6.5 billion, with Purdue Pharma contributing up to $900 million.
The settlement remains subject to court approval through a bankruptcy process involving Purdue Pharma, but Oregon’s acceptance represents a critical step toward finalizing the deal. Once approved, funds will be distributed to participating states, local governments, affected individuals, and other parties who have previously sued the Sacklers or Purdue.
Attorney General Rayfield emphasized the ongoing commitment to holding opioid companies accountable and using every dollar recovered to heal communities and build a future free from the opioid crisis.
“We will not stop fighting to hold opioid companies accountable for the devastation they’ve caused,” he said. “Oregon families deserve justice, and every dollar we recover will go toward healing our communities.”