Here you will find information on Maine’s opioid settlement funds.
What decides how the settlement money is divided?
There are two Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) that describe how the funds must be divided. The MOUs require this split:
- 50%: Maine Recovery Council, to distribute the funds statewide
- 20%: Attorney General’s Office
- 30%: Subdivisions
Who are the Subdivisions?
Subdivisions are eligible Maine cities, towns, and counties:
- All cities and towns who filed a lawsuit, and
- Every county, even if they didn’t file a lawsuit, and some other towns and cities that didn’t file a lawsuit.
Where can I read the MOUs and exhibits?
You can read the MOUs and exhibits here:
- Amendment to Maine State-Subdivision Memorandum of Understanding and Agreement Regarding Use of Settlement Funds, 2022, with Exhibits
- Amendment to Maine State-Subdivision Memorandum of Understanding and Agreement Regarding Use of Settlement Funds, 2023, with Exhibits
You can also read these additional school MOUs:
- Maine School Administrative Units Inclusion in Maine's Recovery Fund, 2022
- Maine School Administrative Units Inclusion in Maine's Recovery Fund, 2023
Will there be more settlements?
Three more groups of settlements are being finalized:
- The Purdue/Sackler settlements
- Settlements with a group of 8 opioid manufacturers; and
- A settlement with Albertsons, an owner of grocery chains with pharmacies, including Shaw’s.
The Purdue/Sackler settlements are made of two separate settlements:
- A "Direct Settlement" with members of the Sackler family which owned Purdue Pharma; and
- An "Estate Settlement" with Purdue Pharma as part of its bankruptcy proceedings.
The 8 opioid manufacturer settlements are separate settlements that have been grouped together to make it easier for states and Subdivisions to sign on.
During the later months of 2026, Maine’s subdivisions will receive notices of their eligibility to sign on to the Albertsons/Shaw’s settlement. Subdivisions will use the use the same sign-on process as with past settlements.
How much will my county, city, or town receive?
For existing settlements, visit the Settlements page. This has detailed information about payments that have been received and payments that are estimated for the future.
For the Purdue/Sackler and the group of 8 manufacturer settlements, information about Subdivisions' estimated maximum shares is available here (Excel).
For the Albertsons/Shaw’s settlement, information about the Subdivisions’ estimated maximum share is available here (Excel).
Note: Provided estimates are what Subdivisions may expect to receive only if 100% of the Maine Subdivisions listed on the chart sign on.
How long will funds be paid out?
Together they will pay out over 18 years. Payments started in 2022 and the last payments will be in 2038:
Distributors | Years Paying | Year of Final Expected Payment |
|---|---|---|
| J&J | 10 | 2031 |
| Walmart | 1 | 2023 |
| CVS | 10 | 2032 |
| Walgreens | 15 | 2037 |
| Teva | 13 | 2035 |
| Allergan | 7 | 2029 |
| Purdue/Sacklers | 10 | 2035 |
| Alvogen | 1 | 2026 |
| Amneal | 10 | 2035 |
| Apotex | 1 | 2026 |
| Hikma | 1 | 2026 |
| Mylan | 9 | 2034 |
| Sun | 1 | 2026 |
| Zydus | 1 | 2026 |
| Albertsons | 9 | 2035 |
What is the money used for?
All funds need to be spent on opioid abatement activities. Eligible activities are described in exhibits to the MOUs. They include prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery programs.
Where can cities, towns, and counties get more info on how to use these funds to address the opioid crisis in Maine?
Our settlements page has a list of resources to help you use your settlement funds. These resources include public health-based principles, guides, and toolkits.
The Maine Opioid Settlement Support (MOSS) Center also has resources, expertise, and other hands-on, individualized help available to Subdivisions, at no charge, provided by funding from Attorney General Frey from the Attorney General’s portion of the opioid settlement funds.
How can I know what my county, city or town is using its settlement funds for?
The best way to find out about what your community is doing with its settlement funds is to call your Subdivision’s administrators. If your city or town is a participating subdivision, call the city or town office. Otherwise, call your county office. See the list above for links to the Subdivisions’ websites.
Where can I get more information?
To contact your county, city, or town please see the Subdivisions list above.
For inquiries to the Maine Recovery Council, please email infoRecoveryCouncil@maine.gov.