Senator Rivera’s Statement on the Opioid Settlement Fund Bill Being Signed into Law

(Bronx, NY) - State Senator Gustavo Rivera issued the following statement after Governor Cuomo signed the Opioid Settlement Fund bill into law (S.7194/A.6395B).

“For years, aggressive marketing and lobbying allowed dangerous pharmaceuticals to claim the lives of too many New Yorkers and devastate families in every corner of New York State. Creating an Opioid Settlement Fund honors those New Yorkers we’ve lost to the opioid crisis and provides hope and resources to those still struggling with substance use,” said State Senator Gustavo Rivera, Chair of the New York State Senate Health Committee and prime sponsor of the bill in the New York Senate. “There are $230 million coming to New York from a powerful lawsuit that New York Attorney General James led to hold opioid manufactures accountable for their role in this crisis. This fund will ensure the settlement goes directly to supporting substance use disorder prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction services to help struggling New Yorkers. While this will not bring back those who we have lost to this devastating crisis, it will help us heal and recover.”

This past weekend, it was announced that New York had settled with Johnson & Johnson for $230 million for their role in fueling the opioid epidemic. As part of the settlement, an Opioid Settlement Fund needs to be established for New York to receive the settlement. Read more about New York State Attorney General James' historic settlement here. This law will ensure any settlement funds are only used for their intended purpose - funding substance use disorder prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction services.