News

Maine Spent $3 Million in Opioid Settlement Money, $19 Million Unspent

Maine Spent $3 Million in Opioid Settlement Money, $19 Million Unspent

Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio


A new report shows Maine spent $3 million in opioid settlement funds last year.

The money comes from nationwide settlements with more than a dozen pharmaceutical companies that made or sold prescription opioids.

It’s intended to address harms caused by the opioid epidemic by supporting treatment, harm reduction, recovery, and prevention efforts.

The new data collected by the attorney general’s office and the University of Southern Maine shows more than $19 million in funds that have yet to be spent.

It shows that 29 local governments spent some funds last year, with just over 40 percent of the money going to police departments and jails.

The counties and municipalities spent the most on harm reduction and treatment efforts, while prevention programming received the least amount of funding.

The settlement money has been coming after years of lawsuits brought by dozens of states and hundreds of plaintiffs against companies such as Purdue Pharma, Johnson & Johnson, and CVS Pharmacy, contending the companies profited from misleading information about the addictive and deadly aspects of pharmaceutical opioids.

Latest Headlines

21 hours ago in Entertainment

Gene Simmons of Kiss visits Detroit Rock City to open new restaurant location

Gene Simmons visited Detroit Rock City on Thursday to celebrate the grand opening of a restaurant co-founded by him and his Kiss bandmate, Paul Stanley.

2 days ago in Entertainment

Pink to host the 2026 Tony Awards on June 7 at Radio City Music Hall

The Tony Awards have turned to a singer with a reputation for a high-energy, physical live show to be the next telecast host — Pink. The three-time Grammy Award winner will make her debut as MC for the awards on June 7 at its familiar home of Radio City Music Hall.

2 days ago in Entertainment, Music

Thousands of fans gather as BTS launches world tour in South Korea

A huge crowd of BTS fans packed into a stadium near Seoul on Thursday to see the K-pop supergroup kick off their long-awaited world tour.

2 days ago in Entertainment, Music

Megan Moroney, Miranda Lambert and Ella Langley lead 2026 ACM Awards nominations dominated by women

Megan Moroney leads the 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards with nine nominations. That includes a first-time nomination for the top prize of the night, entertainer of the year, as well as director and artist-songwriter of the year. She's also received her third consecutive nominations for female artist and visual media of the year.

2 days ago in Lifestyle

Travelers face higher costs and fewer flight options as jet fuel prices swing

A new reality is setting in for travelers worldwide: rising fees, fewer flight options and difficult decisions about whether a trip is worth the cost.