The state of Louisiana has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with pharmaceutical supply chain participants for the damage caused by their misfeasance, nonfeasance and malfeasance in their distribution of opioids.
Under the terms of the agreement, the parish will receive approximately $979,000, and the Caddo sheriff will receive approximately $240,000 this year.
Here are the primary terms of the MOU:
1. Twenty percent of the moneys received shall be distributed to the sheriff.
2. Future payments are determined by a sophisticated distribution formula and shall be determined annually by the Opioid Abatement Task Force.
3. Payments are expected to be made for a minimum of 10 years and perhaps as many as 18 years.
4. The settlement moneys must be used for “evidence-based, forward-looking strategies, programming and service used to (i) provide treatment for citizens affected by opioid substance abuse disorders and (ii) provide support for citizens in recovery from addiction under the care of the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration.”
5. An Opioid Abatement Task Force will be formed with representatives from the Louisiana Municipal Association, the Louisiana Police Jury Association and the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association, the Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health or designee, and a Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration gubernatorial appointee to provide annual reports.
6. Priority shall be given to treatment of citizens with opioid use disorder who are not covered by Medicaid or not covered by private insurance for such treatment.
Reporting is required by the parish and the sheriff on the expenditure of funds annually to the task force.