Lake County Awarded $306 Million in Opioid Litigation

PAINESVILLE, Ohio, August 17, 2022– Lake County Awarded $306 Million in Opioid Litigation Judge Dan Aaron Polster of United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio Eastern Division issued the Abatement Order in the National Prescription Opiate Litigation which awards Lake County $306.2 million over 15 years. Lake, along with Trumbull County, were participants in the Track Three case that began on October 4, 2021.

“Today marks the start of a new day in our fight to end the opioid epidemic. After years of doing what we could with limited resources, Lake County will finally receive the funds that are desperately needed to help abate the opioid epidemic from our community. Lake County remains committed to continuing the critical relief work performed by our incredible frontline workers consistent with the court’s ruling,” said Commission President John R. Hamercheck.

It is estimated that 61 million pills were dispensed in Lake County from 2012 – 2016; 265 pills for every resident. Impacts of the epidemic are evident within countless local agencies including law enforcement, children services, local courts, coroner and local treatment facilities. Please click here to read the entire press release.

From left to right: County Commissioner Mark Tyler, Commissioner John Hamercheck, Lake ADAMHS Board Director Kim Frasier, Commissioner John Plecnik reviewing Abatement Order.