The Winnebago County Board has agreed to a settlement in a lawsuit against the major manufacturer of opioid painkillers. The county was part of a nationwide suit that alleged the pharmaceutical companies knew that opioids were addictive–but lied about that to federal regulators and doctors. Winnebago is in line for about six-million dollars–but Corporation Counsel Mary Anne Mueller (mew-lurr) warns against spending that right away.
Supervisor Chuck Farrey of Vinland was among the few opposed to the deal–saying it may prove to be a mistake in the long run, when those companies no longer make medicines people want or need.
Under the terms of the settlement, the county would be required to spend the money on programs to combat addiction or to recoup money already spent for that purpose.
