El Paso County Settles on a $700,000 Agreement with J&J

Over the longstanding aversities of the opioid epidemic, El Paso County will be expecting compensation. El Paso County will receive nearly $700,000 from the pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson as an attempt to recompense for the costs associated with the company’s role in the opioid epidemic.

Treatment of addicts, emergency care for incidences of overdose, treatment for jailed individuals and prisoners are paid with taxpayer dollars, stated El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego during news release on Thursday. He added that the settlement will enable some monetary recovery. The redeemed money can be put to use for addressing the profound collateral damage perforated by the epidemic.

J&J was also involved in another opioid settlement earlier this year with Texas Attorney General signing upon an agreement worth more than $290 million.By far, the recently conducted settlement by the pharmaceutical giant is seen as its largest agreement in the state. According to the terms of the settlement with Johnson & Johnson, El Paso County will expect a $682,459 as reparations focusing on the local costs incurred.

Besides the funds accepted directly by the county, an added fund of $4.73 million will be provided to the local organizations and programs. This will primarily cater to the organizations in El Paso County, and Hudspeth County. The focused funding represents the drastic economic impact caused on the two regions due to the opioid epidemic for years. The reception and utilization of the funds will be monitored by the Texas Opioid Council ensuring appropriate spending.