Dayton to opt into opioid settlement targeting drug stores

The City of Dayton has decided to opt into another opioid settlement.

In 2017, Ohio became one of the first states to sue opioid makers and drug distributors.

Montgomery County subsequently received some of those funds.

During Wednesday’s meeting, Dayton city commissioners said they want to participate in a new settlement.

>> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Montgomery Co. receives opioid settlement, creates opioid fund

The first settlement went after larger pharmaceutical companies who made opioids, Dayton City Manager Shelley Dickstein explained.

This new settlement will look to hold drug stores and pharmacies such as CVS, Walmart and Walgreens, that were disturbing opioids responsible.

“It was devastating to our community in 2017 and we want to hold those people accountable for the devastation that our community and many communities across the country really suffered in the opioid crisis,” Dickstein said.

>> Senators request USDA, EPA help addressing toxic chemical potential impact on crops and livestock

Dickstein said this is more than just a cash grab for the city, and that they are looking to help replenish some of the impacts the opioid epidemic had on local resources.

“It was really very difficult and diverted a lot of key resources to managing that crisis versus doing other things that we could have been working on proactively with regards to public safety,” Dickstein said.

She said at this time it is not known the number of people who will participate in the settlement or what the city’s return will look like.

We will continue following this story and update once we get new information.