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A resolution authorizing the Metropolitan Government to join the State of Tennessee and other local governments in amending the Tennessee State-Subdivision Opioid Abatement Agreement and approving the related settlement agreements.
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WHEREAS, the opioid epidemic continues to impact communities in the United States, the State of Tennessee, and the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County ("Metropolitan Government"); and,
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Government has suffered harm and will continue to suffer harm as a result of the opioid epidemic; and,
WHEREAS, the State of Tennessee and some Tennessee local governments, including the Metropolitan Government, have filed lawsuits against opioid manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, including many federal lawsuits by Tennessee counties and cities that are pending in the litigation captioned In re: National Prescription Opiate Litigation, MDL No. 2804 (N.D. Ohio) ("the Opioid Litigation"); and,
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Government has previously joined settlements with three pharmaceutical distributors and a manufacturer; and,
WHEREAS, certain pharmaceutical distributors and retail pharmacy chains have proposed settlements that the Metropolitan Government finds acceptable and in the best interest of the community; and,
WHEREAS, the Tennessee legislature enacted Public Chapter No. 491 during the 2021 Regular Session of the 112th Tennessee General Assembly, which was signed into law by Governor Bill Lee on May 24, 2021, and addresses the allocation of funds from certain opioid litigation settlements; and,
WHEREAS, there is currently proposed legislation that would apply the statutory provisions passed in 2021 to the new manufacturer and retail pharmacy chain settlements; and,
WHEREAS, the State of Tennessee, non-litigating counties, and representatives of various local governments involved in the Opioid Litigation have adopted a unified plan for the allocation and use of certain prospe...
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