Commissioners authorize county participation in Purdue Pharma/Sackler family opioid settlement

The Haywood County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on Aug. 4 to approve a resolution authorizing the county to participate in the Purdue Pharma bankruptcy and Sackler family settlement and to allow county staff to sign related documents necessary to participate.

County legal staff described the action as consistent with similar actions taken by other counties and the requirement to join through the representative council handling settlement participation. "This is a lot like other items we've brought to you in reference to the ongoing opioid settlements," a county attorney told the board. He said the resolution gives the county authority to participate and authorizes him to sign documents on the county's behalf.

A commissioner noted the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) has been tracking the proceedings and said he was familiar with the process. No financial figures or allocation schedules were presented at the meeting.

The board recorded no opposing votes.