Funds split equally between Legislature, county and city governments
SEATTLE — Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced today that the state, city and county governments in Washington state received a $123.34 million lump sum payment from opioid manufacturer Johnson & Johnson. The funds are the latest payments from Ferguson’s litigation against companies that fueled the opioid crisis, and must be split evenly between state and local governments. Ferguson directed the funds must be used to combat the opioid epidemic.
To avoid trial in Ferguson’s 2020 lawsuit, opioid manufacturer and raw material supplier Johnson & Johnson signed a court order in January to pay $123.34 million to Washington state to combat the opioid epidemic, including the fentanyl crisis that is devastating Washington communities. Ferguson directed that 50% of these resources, $61.67 million, go to local governments across the state to combat the epidemic in their communities. The other half goes to the state Legislature. To see what local governments will receive from the Johnson & Johnson case alone, Washingtonians can use this spreadsheet.
The Washington Attorney General’s Office has recovered $1.29 billion so far to address the fentanyl and opioid crisis. 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.
Local governments will determine how to spend their share, but those funds must be used to combat the opioid and fentanyl epidemics. The Legislature will determine how the state share is further allocated in communities around the state. All spending decisions must be consistent with the state Opioid Response Plan. Examples of approved programs include substance abuse treatment, housing or other wrap-around services, youth- or tribal-focused prevention programs, support for first responders and other evidence-based programs and services that will help communities heal.
“We stood up to some of the world’s largest corporations that fueled the epidemic in pursuit of profit – and we won more than $1 billion that will help communities recover from the opioid crisis,” Ferguson said. “My team continues to hold these corporations accountable and deliver critical resources that must be used to improve treatment options, support first responders, and address the crisis impacting every community.”
Washington is one of three states receiving more from its resolution with Johnson & Johnson than they would have under a 2021 multistate resolution. Washington would have received $98.9 million total from that proposal, which Ferguson rejected. Further, Johnson & Johnson would have paid that amount over a nine year term.
Instead, Johnson & Johnson is paying Washington $149.5 million, including $26.16 million to cover the cost of bringing the case.
The Attorney General’s Office still has pending litigation against two 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.
Opioid lawsuits resources fund other state agency programs
This year the Legislature appropriated to state agencies more than $52.3 million recovered from previous resolutions with opioid companies to fund programs that will combat the opioid epidemic. The appropriations overall included significant investments to increase access to opioid medication, assist tribal governments, support first responders and educate youth.
This brings the Legislature’s total appropriations from Ferguson’s opioid lawsuits to more than $110 million since 2023.
Highlights from this year’s spending include:
$4,458,000 is provided to the Department of Corrections for health care services, with $2,700,000 specifically for approved long-term injectable medication for treatment of opioid use disorder of incarcerated individuals.
$2,000,000 is provided to the Health Care Authority for a tribal opioid prevention campaign.
$400,000 is provided to increase support for EMS and fire department opioid overdose prevention efforts.
$3,000,000 is provided to establish three additional health engagement hub pilot program sites, and $1,500,000 is provided to establish high-intensity community-based teams serving people with opioid use disorder.
Other resolutions
Successful outcomes include:
$518 million from distributors McKesson, Cardinal Health and AmerisourceBergen.
$183 million from manufacturer Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family bankruptcy.
$149.5 million from Johnson & Johnson.
$120.3 million from Walgreens.
$110.6 million from CVS.
$62.6 million from Walmart.
$50 million from Allergan.
$47.5 million from Kroger.
$13.5 million from McKinsey, a consulting firm that advised Purdue Pharma.
$7.9 million from Publicis Health.
$7.7 million from the Mallinckrodt bankruptcy.
Ferguson has rejected national settlements with five corporations, netting Washington more than $180 million more for resources that will improve treatment options, funds for first responders and provide 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 for funding to combat the opioid epidemic than the national settlement promised. Ferguson's recent settlement with Johnson & Johnson was $24 million more for opioid abatement funding than the national settlement offer he rejected.
IN MORE STATE NEWS:
State Supreme Court: State Attorney General can challenge local government discrimination
OLYMPIA — The Washington State Supreme Court ruled today that Attorney General Bob Ferguson has broad authority to pursue legal action to protect the civil and constitutional rights of Washingtonians./WAAG
Climate Commitment Act dollars at work: Commerce awards $72.6 million for community decarbonization work in 24 counties/WA COMMERCE DEPT.
https://www.commerce.wa.gov/news/cca-community-decarbonization/
Ecology orders Walla Walla station owner to continue work to protect community from gas spill./DOE
Proposed settlement reached to restore habitats in Port Gamble Bay.
The Port Gamble Bay Natural Resource Trustee Council has reached a proposed settlement, now available for public comment, that would require building two habitat restoration projects worth nearly $10 million. The two projects will restore 20 acres of critical habitat and protect about 10 more acres within Port Gamble Bay on the Kitsap Peninsula./DOE
May 2024 Monthly Employment Report.
Payroll employment continued to increase in May; unemployment ticks up to 4.9%
OLYMPIA – Washington’s economy added an estimated 16,000 jobs (seasonally adjusted), and the monthly unemployment rate bumped up to 4.9% from April to May 2024./ESD
https://www.esd.wa.gov/newsroom/may-2024-monthly-employment-report
2) NEWS FROM OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION:
Cantwell, Murray, Kilmer Announce $9.3 Million for Six Community Colleges to Train Climate Workforce
Programs at Peninsula, Grays Harbor, Green River, South Puget Sound, Spokane, and Wenatchee Valley College to receive funding/ from an news release issued 6/17/24
Saving WA’s Rural Maternity Wards From Closure Is Aim of New Cantwell Bill
Nationwide, 1 in 4 rural hospitals have stopped delivering babies; WA closures since 2022 include hospitals in Toppenish and Bremerton./From a press release issued 6/17/24
Cantwell Calls for Continuation of Affordable Connectivity Program
350Kians relied on the ACP to help pay for broadband before funding ran out on June 1st, Cantwell-bill would invest $7 billion into popular program/From a press release issued 6/18/24
Senator Murray Applauds Biden Administration Announcement to Keep Families Together, Protect Long-Term Undocumented Immigrants Married to U.S. Citizens from Deportation/From a press release issued 6/18/24
Senator Murray, Rep. Larsen Reintroduce Legislation to Reauthorize Northwest Straits Commission
Senator Murray has worked tirelessly to fund the Northwest Straits Commission every single year since 1998/from a press release issued 6/18/24
3) WORLD< NATION< BUSINESS
Digital Breakthroughs Must Serve Betterment of People, Planet, Speakers Tell Security Council during Day-Long Debate on Evolving Cyberspace Threats
While advances in digital technology offer incredible opportunities to create a better future for all, “breakthroughs must be oriented towards the good”, the leader of the United Nations told the Security Council today during a day-long debate on evolving cyberspace threats, during which speakers spotlighted myriad examples of the opposite./ UN PRESS RELEASE
https://press.un.org/en/2024/sc15738.doc.htm
World Needs ‘Global Financial Institutions that are Better, Bigger, Bolder’, Says Secretary-General, in Remark to International Development Association
Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks to the third International Development Association (IDA) replenishment meeting, in Kathmandu Friday./ UN PRESS RELEASE
https://press.un.org/en/2024/sgsm22281.doc.htm
Libyans Overwhelmingly Want Political Agreement, Credible Elections ‘to Restore Legitimacy to All Institutions’, Briefer Tells Security Council
Amid a political stalemate, insecurity and arms embargo violations, the commencement of voter registration for municipal elections is a positive note in Libya’s troubled and divided landscape/UN PRESS RELEASE
https://press.un.org/en/2024/sc15737.doc.htm
Remarks at a UN Security Council Briefing on Afghanistan./USUN
https://usun.usmission.gov/remarks-at-a-un-security-council-briefing-on-afghanistan-12/
Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Romanian Foreign Minister Luminita Odobescu At the Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding On Countering Foreign State Information Manipulation/US STATE DEPT.
NATION:
DOD Forges Clean Energy Pathway With Carbon Pollution-Free Electricity Contract./DOD
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Statement on Supreme Court’s Decision in United States v. Rahimi/DOJ
U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights Releases New Resources on Protecting Students with Disabilities in K12 and Higher Education/DEPT. of EDUCATION
FDA Expands Approval of Gene Therapy for Patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy./FDA
HUD Awards $10 Million to Public Housing Agencies to Protect Residents
Grants provided through Capital Fund Emergency Safety and Security Program will support crime prevention, smoke detectors, fire alarms and other security measures./HUD
https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/HUD_No_24_150
BUSINESS:
Treasury Sanctions Kaspersky Lab Leadership in Response to Continued Cybersecurity Risks/US TREASURY DEPT.
https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2420
Some Reasons for Optimism about Inflation
Governor Adriana D. Kugler
At the Peterson Institute for International Economics, Washington, D.C./ THE FED
https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/speech/kugler20240618a.htm
USDA Forest Service Seeks Public Comment on Draft Guidance for Old Growth Management on National Forests/USDA
Retirement plan distributions: IRS provides guidance on certain exceptions from 10% additional tax for emergency personal or family expenses and for survivors of domestic abuse/IRS
US DEPARTMENT OF LABOR CONDEMNS MURDER OF GUATEMALAN TRADE UNION LEADER ANASTACIO TZIB CAAL
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Deputy Undersecretary for International Affairs Thea Lee released the following statement condemning the June 15 murder of Anastacio Tzib Caal, the recently elected secretary general of the Texpia II workers’ union. Texpia II is a garment production facility in Villa Nueva, Guatemala. /DEPT. of LABOR
https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/ilab/ilab20240620
IN FOCUS & LOCAL MEETINGS:
IN FOCUS: Salmon fishing in Marine Area 11 (Tacoma-Vashon Island) opens daily for remainder of June; daily limit increases to two hatchery Chinook beginning June 21.
OLYMPIA – Salmon fishing in Marine Area 11 (Tacoma-Vashon Island) is open daily through June 30 and daily limit increases to two hatchery Chinook salmon beginning June 21, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced today.
Estimates of the catch through June 15, indicate the fishery has reached 30% of the hatchery Chinook quota (425 of 1,423), 13% of the total unmarked wild fish encounter (122 of 910) and 2% of the sublegal fish encounter (41 of 2,608) agreed to in the List of Agreed Fisheries.
The June season was originally scheduled to be open Wednesdays through Saturdays only from June 5-30, but slower catch rates will allow for additional days of fishing in June. The daily limit is two salmon, and anglers may retain up to two hatchery Chinook. Chinook minimum size limit is 22 inches. Release chum and wild Chinook. In Marine Areas 5 through 13, it is illegal to bring salmon aboard a vessel if it is unlawful to retain that salmon. “Aboard a vessel” is defined as inside the gunwale (upper edge of the side of a boat) and is to reduce further stress or possible mortality.
“Monitoring data collected to date indicates that we are in a position to add additional opportunity not originally planned for pre-season fishing. It is exciting, and reminiscent of historic June fisheries we’ve seen in past years where anglers are not encountering a lot of juvenile fish,” said Christina Iverson, WDFW’s Puget Sound Salmon Manager.
The 2024 hatchery Chinook retention fishery in Marine Area 11 – from the northern tip of Vashon Island to the northernmost part of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge – is split into two distinct seasons to allow for additional summer fishing.
Salmon fishing in Marine Area 11 will reopen July 18-20. The allowable catch quota during the second half of the season is 3,379 hatchery-marked Chinook and a total sublegal encounter limit of 5,907 fish. WDFW will assess the Chinook catch after the initial three-day opener. Additional Chinook openings in Marine Area 11 may occur in late July based on available quota, and it is currently planned to open for Chinook on Aug. 1.
State fishery managers indicate the two summer segments were modeled separately due to the stock composition found in Marine Area 11 during June and the July to September time frames. This allowed fishery managers to meet all management objectives for stocks of concern and add time on the water. This type of management planning for summer fisheries also occurs in other marine areas. To view the Puget Sound salmon fishery guidelines and quotas, visit WDFW webpage.
Puget Sound salmon seasons are a result of an annual collaborative state and tribal salmon season-setting process known as North of Falcon and information can be found on the WDFW North of Falcon webpage.
Several other marine areas are currently open for salmon fishing and refer to the WDFW webpage or the 2024-25 WDFW regulation pamphlet (PDF) for details. You can also follow in-season salmon management updates this summer and fall, by going to the WDFW’s “The Salmon Fishing Current” blog.
CLALLAM COUNTY MEETINGS:
Clallam County Commission work session for 6/24/24
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06242024-1215
Clallam County Commission meeting for 6/25/24
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06252024-1216
Port of Port Angeles Commission meeting for 6/25/24
https://portofpa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Comm-Packet-6-25-2024.pdf
City of Sequim Council meeting for 6/24/24
https://sequimwa.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=118
City of Forks Council meeting for 6/24/24
https://forkswashington.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Agenda-20240624.pdf
Clallam County PUD meeting for 6/24/24
https://go.boarddocs.com/wa/clallampud/Board.nsf/Public
Jefferson County Commission Meeting for 6/24/24
https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/5c7ae34b-fdb0-4635-b7fe-13e42c051964
Port of Port Townsend meeting for 6/26/24
https://portofpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2024-06-26-CommMtg-Agenda1.pdf
Weekly devotional
BIBLE VERSE: Psalm 121:7-8 (New International Version)
The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Weekly Bible Lesson:
Jesus Will Be Our Judge
The story is told about a man who came before a judge after he had committed a crime. When the man saw the judge, he was happy. The judge had been his defender in an earlier case. When the judge sentenced the man to prison, he asked: “Don’t you remember who I am? I am the man you defended many years ago. How can you sentence me to prison now? The judge replied: “In the earlier case, I was your defender. It was my desire to set you free. Now, I am your judge and I must judge you fairly according to the law.”--TFTW
https://truthfortheworld.org/jesus-will-be-our-judge
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
THIS WEEKS VIDEOS
PROOF the DOJ Is Running Election Interference for Joe Biden.
After Hunter Biden was found guilty of a minor gun charge, Democrats and the media were quick to use his conviction as evidence that all is “hunky-dory” with the justice system under President Joe Biden. Anyone who questioned the Left's "fair justice" narrative was branded a conspiracy theorist. Cue New York Magazine: “Hunter Biden Conviction Blows Up Republican Conspiracy Theories” and Vanity Fair: “Trump and Co. Come Up with Most Deranged Theory Yet: Joe Biden Wanted Hunter Biden to Be Found Guilty.” Never mind the fact that the only reason Hunter went to trial is because a judge blew up a secret deal between his lawyers and his dad’s DOJ that all but gave him blanket immunity on tax fraud charges.
But sure, the justice system is fair and impartial! Never mind the fact that the regime’s main political opponent in the upcoming presidential race — Donald Trump — was convicted on 34 BOGUS felonies and faces three more major trials. AND never mind that Trump's ally Steve Bannon was ordered to prison for contempt for Congress and yet Biden's Attorney General Merrick Garland got away with the EXACT same crime. Glenn lays out the case that proves the weaponization of our justice system goes right to the top. Through unredacted court documents, White House visitor logs, and documents from congressional committees, the evidence trail leads directly to the Joe Biden White House. Glenn is joined by legal warrior Harmeet Dhillon, a lawyer for Donald Trump and the Center for American Liberty founder and CEO. She says the weaponization of government she’s witnessed is unprecedented and believes the end game is to trigger civil unrest in the country if Trump is jailed. “The constant fear being injected into conservatives is deliberate,” Harmeet says. But she gives four solutions for how conservatives can avoid entrapment from a government treating them as enemies of the state.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAtG-K1FHnc
Sunday Worship 6/16/2024 --Four Lakes C. of C
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=889KFWfvcLY
The Chosen Season 4, Episode One
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqw8ZgslV3Y&t=1085s
NIGHT OWL COMICS
https://pjrnightowlcomics.blogspot.com/
The Port Angeles Globe is a weekly Publication, every Saturday-- Publisher, Peter Ripley
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