July 12, 2019

Manchin: $1.4 Billion In Opioid Settlement Should Be Spent To Fight The Opioid Epidemic

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today called for the $1.4 billion settlement from Reckitt Benckiser Group, the manufacturer of Suboxone, to be used specifically for programs and resources directly to fight the opioid epidemic. 

“Out of the 21 million Americans who need substance use disorder treatment, only an estimated 3.8 million, or 18% were able to access it. People in rural areas face even more difficulties accessing treatment, with 92% of substance abuse treatment facilities located in urban areas. That is unacceptable. The funds received from this settlement should be allocated to groups addressing the national opioid epidemic through addiction treatment centers and other projects aimed at helping communities in states like West Virginia recover from the opioid epidemic. 

“The opioid crisis has ravaged our country, especially my state of West Virginia, which has been ground zero in the battle against this epidemic. The Reckitt Benckiser Group has settled with the United States for $1.4 billion for their inaccurate marketing of Suboxone as a less abusable opioid withdrawal option than others on the market. We must do more as a nation to address this epidemic, and using this settlement to do so is a great start,” said Senator Manchin.