Link source: https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/ag-ferguson-johnson-johnson-pay-nearly-150m-over-its-role-fueling-opioid
Decision to reject national settlement results in additional $24.4M to combat Washington’s fentanyl crisis
SEATTLE — To avoid trial in Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s lawsuit, opioid manufacturer and raw material supplier Johnson & Johnson will pay $149.5 million to Washington state over its role fueling the opioid epidemic. Today’s resolution, filed in King County Superior Court, provides Washington and its local governments with tens of millions of dollars more to combat the fentanyl epidemic compared to the settlement that Ferguson rejected in 2021. Washington is one of three states receiving more than they would have under the 2021 multistate settlement.
Today’s $149.5 million resolution will be paid in one lump sum this fiscal year. The settlement requires that $123.3 million be used to combat the opioid epidemic, including the fentanyl crisis that is devastating Washington communities. Ferguson is directing 50% of these resources to local governments across the state to combat the epidemic in their communities.
In contrast, the rejected settlement promised $98.9 million for Washington and its local governments to address the epidemic, which would have been paid out over a nine year term.
The Washington Attorney General’s Office has recovered more than $1.2 billion for Washington to address the fentanyl and opioid crisis.
Ferguson has now rejected national settlements with five corporations, netting Washington nearly $200 million more resources for improved treatment options, funding for first responders, and other proven strategies to address the epidemic. In 2022, Ferguson reached a resolution, pending bankruptcy court approval, requiring Purdue Pharma to pay $183 million to Washington — $113 million more than the national deal. Also in 2022, Ferguson’s case against the three largest opioid distributors — McKesson Corp., Cardinal Health Inc. and AmerisourceBergen Drug Corp. — led to a $518 million resolution. That was $46 million more than the national settlement promised.
“We have an urgent need for resources to address the fentanyl crisis that is impacting communities in every corner of the state,” Ferguson said. “We are standing up to some of the largest corporations in the world that fueled the epidemic in pursuit of profit, and we are winning critical resources that must be used to address the harm. We have now recovered more more than $1.2 billion to improve treatment options, support first responders, and invest in other proven strategies to combat this crisis — and we’re not done.”
Johnson & Johnson is required to pay the entire $149.5 million within 21 days of the deal being ratified by Washington’s local governments, which must happen by May. The Attorney General’s Office believes the Legislature can appropriate all of the the state’s share during the 2024 legislative session.
The Attorney General’s Office has pending litigation against multiple national pharmacy chains that also helped fuel the epidemic.
Johnson & Johnson’s unique role in proliferating opioids
From the 1990s through at least 2016, Johnson & Johnson, through its subsidiaries, cultivated and processed opium poppy plants and used their raw narcotic materials to manufacture the active ingredients necessary to produce opioid drugs.
In addition to using the processed active ingredients to produce its own opioids, Johnson & Johnson sold them to other major opioid manufacturers for use in making their opioid drugs. The ingredients were used to make oxycodone, hydrocodone, fentanyl, naloxone and more.
By 2015, Johnson & Johnson was the top U.S. supplier of the active pharmaceutical ingredients used to make opioid drugs.
Johnson & Johnson’s aggressive marketing of opioids systematically overstated the effectiveness of the drugs for treating pain long term and understated the risk of addiction. Johnson & Johnson marketed its opioid drugs for chronic pain conditions like headaches, low back pain and fibromyalgia, despite evidence that opioids were not effective at treating these conditions.
Johnson & Johnson used both branded marketing and non-branded sources through third-party organizations funded by the company to forward its narrative, like the American Pain Foundation and the American Academy of Pain Management, among others. These efforts included articles in medical journals and publications funded by Johnson & Johnson, materials from professional societies and advocacy groups, and continuing medical education, dinners, seminars, symposiums and conferences paid for by Johnson & Johnson and others.
The third-party groups also funded lobbying efforts to oppose state-level regulation of opioids, including in Washington. For example, the American Pain Foundation provided support to the Washington Pain Alliance to oppose opioid prescription standards in Washington.
Full amount will depend on local government sign-on
As in prior opioid resolutions, in order to obtain the full amount, all 125 eligible local governments will need to sign on to the deal. The Attorney General’s Office expects all eligible jurisdictions to join. All 125 have signed on to all prior opioid resolutions.
Local governments will divide their share of the proceeds according to their own agreed formula. Washingtonians can use this chart to see what their local government will receive as a result of the Attorney General’s litigation to combat the opioid epidemic.
Under the terms of the court orders, all of the money provided to state and local governments must be used to fund opioid remediation efforts.
Examples of programs and support
The Legislature will determine how the state share is allocated in communities around the state. In the 2023 legislative session, the Legislature allocated $64.1 million from the opioid payments. Examples of legislative support included:
$18,168,000 for prevention, treatment and recovery support services to address and remediate the opioid epidemic.
$15,447,000 to tribes and urban Indian health programs for opioid and overdose response activities.
$5,000,000 for the Department of Health to expand the distribution of naloxone through overdose education and a distribution program.
$4,000,000 for the authority to provide short-term housing vouchers for individuals with substance use disorders.
All spending decisions must be consistent with the state Opioid Response Plan.
Approved strategies include:
Improving and expanding treatment for opioid use disorder.
Supporting individuals in treatment and recovery, including providing comprehensive wrap-around services to individuals with opioid use disorder, including housing, transportation, education, job placement, job training or childcare.
Addressing the needs of pregnant women and their families, including those with babies with neonatal disorder.
Preventing opioid misuse, overprescribing and overdoses through, among other strategies, school-based and youth-focused programs, public education campaigns, increased availability and distribution of naloxone and other drugs that treat overdoses, additional training and enhancements to the prescription drug monitoring program. Supporting first responders.
IN OTHER STATE RELATED NEWS:
Washington State Office of Homeless Youth awards $4.8 million in grants for specialized services and support to youth across Washington.
Funding aims to meet young people where they are, through schools, community services, and health services
OLYMPIA, WA — Washington’s Office of Homeless Youth (OHY) in the Department of Commerce today announced $4.8 million in grants to 19 organizations to help prevent and address housing instability among young people. Grants will fund school-based interventions, crisis interventions to help youth and families resolve conflict, and support to youth seeking protected health care services./WA Commerce Dept.
WCC joins new Washington Climate Corps Network.
This past fall, our Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) program joined the Washington Climate Corps Network (WCCN) as a grant recipient committed to building climate-resilient communities and ecosystems.
Formed during the 2023 legislative session, the WCCN is made up of organizations focused on building a clean-energy and climate-resilient future by amplifying service opportunities for young adults and veterans. The network provides funds to local programs addressing climate change while prioritizing service for and with overburdened communities facing disproportionate environmental harm./DOE
Environmental penalties issued for the third quarter of 2023.
OLYMPIA –
The Washington Department of Ecology issued $138,800 in penalties of $1,000 or more from July 1 – Sept. 30, 2023.
Ecology works with thousands of businesses and individuals to help them comply with state laws. Penalties are issued in cases where non-compliance continues after Ecology has provided technical assistance or warnings, or for particularly serious violations./DOE
New Unemployment Insurance Navigator Program aims to remove barriers to benefits in local communities.
New Unemployment Insurance Navigator Program aims to remove barriers to benefits in local communities
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) will distribute $2 million in U.S. Department of Labor funds to community organizations to help potential unemployment claimants in underserved communities better understand available benefits./ESD
Duckabush River, Jefferson County Incident.
OLYMPIA – Yesterday Jan. 24, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) suffered a tragic loss of an employee who passed away while working at a fish trap on the Duckabush River in Jefferson County. Mary Valentine, a seasonal scientific technician with the WDFW Fish Program’s Science Division, was working a smolt trap on Tuesday, Jan. 23, and did not check in with team members that evening. That following morning, she was reported missing, and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office responded along with WDFW Officers. Mary was recovered from the water by officers and transported by Jefferson County Coroner’s Office. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office led the initial investigation. The case has been referred to the Jefferson County Coroner for further review./WDFW
2) NEWS FROM OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO DC:
KILMER ANNOUNCES $2.3 MILLION FOR BOAT HAVEN AT PORT OF PORT TOWNSEND
PORT TOWNSEND, WA – Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) announced that the Port of Port Townsend will receive $2.3 million through the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) program to replace the Port’s 300-ton boat lift. In June 2023, Rep. Kilmer wrote in strong support of the Port’s boat lift replacement proposal in a letter to EDA leadership./from a press release issued for 1/25/24
Murray Statement on Seattle Times Reporting on Safety Lapses at Boeing: “Profits Can’t Come Before Safety”
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on reporting by The Seattle Times that Boeing improperly installed the fuselage panel that blew off the Alaska Airlines Boeing MAX 9 jet earlier this month./from a press release issued 1/24/24
Murray, Casey, Wyden Introduce Legislation to Expand Child Care Relief to Families
To alleviate child care costs for working families, Casey, Wyden and Murray introduce Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit Enhancement Act to permanently expand child care tax credits/ from a press release issued 1/25/24
3) WORLD< NATIONAL<BUSINESS
WORLD NEWS:
United Nations Not in Position to Verify Reports as Moscow, Kyiv Separately Investigate 24 January Russian Military Plane Crash, Political Chief Tells Security Council
Both sides are conducting separate investigations into the downing of a Russian military aircraft in the Belgorod region on 24 January 2023, the United Nations senior political official told the Security Council today, as numerous delegates underscored that the incident occurred in the context of Moscow’s war of aggression./UN PRESS RELEASE
Two-State Solution ‘Only Way to Avoid Endless Cycles of Fear, Hatred, Violence’, Secretary-General Tells Security Council Debate on Middle East
Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks to the Security Council open debate on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, in New York today:
Over 100 days have passed since more than 1,200 Israelis and others were killed in the horrific terror attacks launched by Hamas against Israel, with over 250 people taken hostage. For all those affected, these have been 100 days of heartache and anguish./UN PRESS RELEASE
Support to Haiti’s Police, Deployment of Multinational Mission Fundamental towards Restoring Stability in Country, Senior Official Tells Security Council
Haiti finds itself trapped in a catch-22 situation, with both its security and political conditions contributing — in a vicious cycle — to the country’s multifaceted crisis, the Security Council heard today, as speakers debated on the recent developments there./UN PRESS RELEASE
Remarks at a UN Security Council Briefing Called by Russia on Threats to International Peace and Security/USUN
"As Russia’s full-scale invasion nears its two-year mark, we call on the international community to continue its support of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Kremlin cannot be allowed to succeed in its effort to erase an independent Ukraine from the map and subjugate its people."
Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Angolan Foreign Minister Téte António at a Joint Press Availability
"The United States has committed funding to refurbish the existing 1,300-kilometer Lobito Atlantic Rail Line, and we’ve taken the first steps to build out 800 kilometers of new rail (inaudible), including through a consortium with Angola and six other partners. I had a chance today to see some of the dramatic progress that’s already being made in building out this corridor. It is moving faster and further, I think, than we even might have imagined when we set out to do it. That rail investment, which is the biggest investment the United States has made in railways on the African continent in well over a generation, is at the heart of our Partnership for Global Investment and Infrastructure work in Angola." --US STATE DEPT.
NATION
Battle Looming Between AI and Counter-AI, Says Official
The Defense Department is just at the start of using artificial intelligence. Peer competitors are as well, said Jude R. Sunderbruch, executive director of the DOD Cyber Crime Center, who spoke today at the Google Defense Forum./DOD
Justice Department and the FTC Update Guidance that Reinforces Parties’ Preservation Obligations for Collaboration Tools and Ephemeral Messaging/DOJ
U.S. Department of Education Issues New Resource for School Administrators on Importance of Safe Firearm Storage.
Safe storage of firearms is an important prevention tool that can be used to help keep schools, homes, and communities safe from gun violence. To build further awareness of this important strategy, today the Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Technical Assistance (TA) Center, funded by the U.S. Department of Education (Department), is releasing a new resource that schools can use to communicate with parents and families about the importance of safe firearm storage, and encourage more people to take preventive action by safely storing firearms. Additionally, First Lady Jill Biden, U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, and White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention Director Stef Feldman will hold a town hall with school principals today at the White House to elevate the importance of safe firearms storage and emphasize the role that principals and education leaders can play in helping prevent gun violence./DEPT. of EDUCATION
HUD and Tennessee Housing Providers Reach Agreement on Disability and VAWA Noncompliance
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced today that it has entered into a Voluntary Compliance Agreement (VCA) with HUD-funded Tennessee housing providers Alco Greenbriar Partners LP, Alco Properties, Inc., and Alco Management, Inc., requiring the respondents to pay $50,000 in compensation to the aggrieved parties./ HUD
DHS Recognizes 2023 Customer Experience Achievements and Looks Ahead to 2024.
WASHINGTON – Following the second anniversary of President Biden’s Executive Order 14058 “Transforming Federal Customer Experience and Service Delivery to Rebuild Trust in Government,” the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recognized significant strides toward improving customer experience (CX) and reducing the administrative burden on the American public in 2023 and pledged to build upon those improvements in 2024./DHS
BUSINESS:
Two Men Sentenced for Falsifying Documents Related to Testing of Equipment at Nuclear Power Plants.
Two men attended sentencing hearings today in federal court for their roles in creating false calibration certificates in a matter within the jurisdiction of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)./DOJ
IRS Launches Simple Notice Initiative.
The IRS sends around 170 million notices to individual taxpayers every year to help them claim the credits and deductions they are eligible for and meet their tax obligations. These notices are often long—with extraneous inserts—and difficult for taxpayers to understand. They are filled with complex legal jargon. And they do not clearly and concisely communicate the next steps a taxpayer must take./US TREASURY
IRS, partners highlight EITC Awareness Day with tax resources that benefit millions of low- and moderate-income workers.
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service and partners around the nation today launched the annual Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day outreach campaign to help millions of low-to-moderate income working Americans that are eligible to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)./IRS
USDA Invests Approximately $11.5 Million in Composting and Food Waste Reduction Projects in 23 States.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 25, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing approximately $11.5 million in 38 cooperative agreements that support innovative, scalable waste management plans to reduce and divert food waste from landfills./USDA
US DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ANNOUNCES AMENDMENTS TO PROHIBITED TRANSACTION EXEMPTION FILING, PROCESSING PROCEDURES./ DEPT. of LABOR
IN FOCUS & LOCAL MEETINGS
IN FOCUS: Pacific Coast Leaders Release Strategy for Building More with Less Carbon.
January 22, 2024
Today, the Pacific Coast Collaborative (PCC) released its Vision and Action Plan to promote a regional low-carbon construction sector that advances equity-centered policies, job creation, and regional markets.
Buildings are responsible for at least 39% of global energy-related carbon emissions each year, and 11% comes from embodied carbon. Embodied carbon is the term for the collective greenhouse gas emissions of a building, road, or other form of infrastructure throughout its lifecycle from manufacture, transport, and installation of materials to the end of its useful life.
The Action Plan released today was prepared by the PCC’s Low Carbon Construction Task Force. In 2021, Pacific Coast leaders convened at COP26 in Glasgow to announce the launch of the task force, a joint effort to advance low-carbon materials and methods in building and construction projects. The task force was charged with creating a shared strategy to accelerate innovation, investment, and market development for low-carbon materials by leveraging the scale of the Pacific Coast regional economy.
The Vision and Action Plan outlines three pathways along with strategies and actions that will move the Pacific Coast region toward the vision of reducing embodied carbon through low-carbon construction.
Pathway 1: Build regional demand for low-carbon construction
Pathway 2: Encourage growth of regional supply of low-carbon construction materials and services
Pathway 3: Build strategic partnerships
Recognizing the need to increase both supply of and demand for low-carbon materials, the plan acknowledges the role governments play in creating codes, policies, and programs that influence the extent to which private businesses, material manufacturers, architects, designers, engineers, building owners, and other stakeholders can shift markets and industry standards towards low-carbon construction practices.
The Action Plan complements and strengthens building decarbonization efforts already underway in Pacific Coast cities, states, and the province of British Columbia.
Washington has strong laws and codes on the books for reducing emissions from the state’s fastest-growing source of climate pollution—building operations. The state is working to reduce emissions from the embodied carbon in building materials, with legislators considering a Buy Clean and Buy Fair policy that would begin to account for embodied carbon in state building construction projects. Washington is also joining forces with other states and the federal government to address embodied carbon and advance low-carbon construction as part of the Federal-State Buy Clean Partnership.
“Many people don’t realize the places where we live, learn and work are among our biggest sources of carbon emissions,” said Washington Gov. Jay Inslee. “As we see the ravages of climate change around us, we can no longer ask ‘if’ we should look for ways to decarbonize our buildings, we have to ask ‘how’ and ‘how fast.’ These low-carbon construction strategies are an important part of that effort.”
“Recent weather events have shown us the importance of reducing emissions, and by working with our partners in the Pacific Coast Collaborative to accelerate the use of low-carbon construction materials like mass timber, we’ll continue building a more sustainable future,” said Jagrup Brar, minister of State for Trade, and chair of the Mass Timber Advisory Council. “B.C.’s history of bold steps in building innovation has positioned us as a worldwide leader in sustainable mass timber construction, and our Mass Timber Action Plan will continue establishing our province, and the Pacific Northwest, as a global mass timber hub that supports good, innovative jobs and climate-smart building.”
Oakland, Calif. Mayor Sheng Thao said “Oakland is committed to demonstrating its environmental leadership in ways that create jobs and strengthen our communities. Working with our fellow West Coast leaders, we will use this Action Plan to provide more housing at lower cost, help incubate and grow our clean technology companies, and reduce our planet-warming emissions. This is a win for our climate and our City.”
"Climate action can propel economic progress; paving the way for a prosperous future," said Portland, Ore. Mayor Ted Wheeler. "Partnering with Pacific Coast Collaborative to promote low-carbon construction practices is directly aligned with the City’s Climate Action Plan. This work creates green jobs and encourages innovative ideas and practices for the future of construction. We are proud of this partnership and continued efforts to build a resilient climate and economy for all."
“The buildings we live and work in are one of the leading drivers of climate change. By teaming up with the Pacific Coast Collaborative, we’re positioning Oregon to tackle carbon emissions from buildings head-on. Together, we’re building the regional green economy and shaping the next chapter on environmental leadership,” said Leah Feldon, director of Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality.
ref. https://governor.wa.gov/news/2024/pacific-coast-leaders-release-strategy-building-more-less-carbon
IN FOCUS: Secretary Hobbs notifies Legislature of initiative no. 2124 certification.
January 25, 2024
OLYMPIA — Secretary of State Steve Hobbs delivered official notification to the Legislature Thursday that signature verification has been completed and certified for the following Initiative to the Legislature:
Initiative to the Legislature no. 2124 concerning state long term care insurance.
The signatures on six Initiatives to the Legislature for the 2024 legislative session have been verified by the Office of the Secretary of State Elections Division using a state-mandated process of examining a 3% random sample of submitted signatures.
The Legislature may approve an Initiative to the Legislature or send it to voters. If an initiative is rejected by the Legislature, or the Legislature takes no action by the end of the Legislative session on March 7, the Secretary of State will certify the initiative for the next General Election. The Legislature may also pass an alternative proposal to accompany an initiative on the ballot.
Washington’s Office of the Secretary of State oversees a number of areas within state government, including managing state elections, registering corporations and charities, and governing the use of the state flag and state seal. The office also manages the State Archives and the State Library, documents extraordinary stories in Washington’s history through Legacy Washington, oversees the Combined Fund Drive for charitable giving by state employees, and administers the state’s Address Confidentiality Program to help protect survivors of crime.
CLALLAM COUNTY MEETINGS:
Clallam County Commission meeting for 1/30/24
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01302024-1055
Housing solutions committee meeting for 2/2/24
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02022024-1053
Weekly devotional
BIBLE VERSE: Ephesians 6:12-13 (New International Version)
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Weekly Bible Lesson: The Great Invitation
In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus Christ issued an invitation that is open today—the greatest invitation ever offered, because man’s response to it affects his soul’s eternal destiny: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” This invitation is restated in Revelation 22:17 with different words depicting the same meaning: “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And he that heareth, let him say, Come. And he that is athirst, let him come: he that will, let him take the water of life freely.”--TFTW
https://truthfortheworld.org/great-invitation
Free bible studies (WBS)
https://www.worldbibleschool.org/
Learn English using the bible as text (WEI)
http://www.worldenglishinstitute.org/
(Join us in worship every Sunday starting at 10:30AM Church of Christ)
1233 E Front St, Port Angeles, WA 98362
The Chosen: About the life of Christ
https://watch.angelstudios.com/thechosen
THIS WEEK'S VIDEOS:
The Secret Network Helping Biden Fuel the Border Invasion.
The Supreme Court just ruled the Biden administration can continue to dismantle Texas border protections put in place to stem the flow of illegal crossings at Eagle Pass. In response, Texas Governor Greg Abbott released one of his harshest rebukes of President Biden yet in a constitutional showdown. We are beyond crisis-level numbers now thanks to a well-organized, globally funded network that is aiding and abetting an illegal INVASION at the southern border. The operation includes institutions like the United Nations, NGOs like Doctors Without Borders, and the Red Cross. Glenn reveals the extent of the global network, the institutions' detailed plans, and “migration maps” they hand out to residents in South America. But where will the millions and millions of illegal migrants we welcomed in live? In developments like Colony Ridge, Texas, as Glenn exposed in the latest Blaze Originals documentary. Lt. Governor Dan Patrick tells Glenn why he is holding Senate hearings to uncover more about Colony Ridge and why he diverted more police resources to the community. Will Texas go to the mat with the federal government if the feds won’t protect the border? “We will arrest, detain, and jail anyone who is here illegally,” Patrick says. “We WILL hold the line.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eE0fUTROkhw
Sunday Worship Service - 1/21/2023 Four Lakes C. of C
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeZPRV1d-Ec
NIGHT OWL COMICS
https://pjrnightowlcomics.blogspot.com/
The Port Angeles Globe is a weekly Publication, every Saturday-- Publisher, Peter Ripley
