FAIRHOPE – A settlement with one of the parties involved in a state lawsuit over opioid abuse will provide about $220,000 for Baldwin County and additional money for local municipalities.

After a discussion of the settlement in an executive session closed to the press and public, the Baldwin County Commission voted Tuesday, Jan. 18, to approve the settlement with Endo Health Solutions. Endo is one of the parties listed in a lawsuit filed by Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall over its role in opioid use, David Conner, an attorney working with Baldwin County in the suit, said.

Under the terms of the state settlement, Endo will pay the state $25 million. Conner said. He said 60 % of the total, about $15 million, will go to the state, while the remaining 40% will go to local governments.

“Baldwin County’s allocated portion of that in conjunction with the settlement agreement is approximately $220,000,” Conner said.

Conner said the agreement approved by the commission states that the county must receive its full share under the agreement and that money cannot be shared with other parties.

Commission Chairman Jeb Ball said the money will be used to continue local efforts to fight opioid abuse.

“This is an effort to continuously fight the battle that we’re fighting and bringing these pharmaceutical companies to justice when it comes to the drastic loss of life that we’ve had with these increased opioid withdrawals and overdoses as well,” Ball said. “Just know that your commission is fighting every step of the way for this.”

At a commission meeting Jan. 3, Sheriff Huey “Hoss” Mack said that of six recent cases in which deputies were recognized for saving lives while on duty over a two-month period, five of the instances involved people who had overdosed on opioids and were in danger of dying at the scene.

Conner said other government entities, including local cities, will also be receiving funds under the settlement agreement.

Robertsdale Mayor Charles Murphy said his City Council also approved the settlement agreement but that he was not certain how much money the city will receive.

Alabama was one of eight states that declined to join a proposed $26 billion settlement of opioid litigation nationwide, according to reports.

Marshall filed a separate lawsuit in state court in Montgomery.

Another party in the lawsuit, distributor McKesson Corp, has not reached a settlement. That case is scheduled for trial in April, according to reports.

Other lawsuits have also been filed in state courts against companies including Purdue Pharma, Mallinckrodt and Insys, all seeking damages for the companies’ involvement in the widespread opioid crisis.