Ramsey County authorizes chair to sign opioid‑settlement release for Purdue/Sackler agreement

Ramsey County commissioners authorized the chair to sign paperwork joining a national settlement related to opioid litigation involving Purdue and members of the Sackler family.

County counsel reviewed a long settlement document and highlighted the “subdivision participation and release form (Exhibit K),” pages 4–7 of the materials provided. Counsel said the agreement would release Purdue and Sackler family members from claims associated with this specific settlement and that the county’s share of any funds will depend on how many North Dakota jurisdictions participate in the statewide allocation. Counsel recommended participation so the county would not be limited if other local governments opt in.

Commissioner Gessner moved and commissioners seconded a request to have the chair sign the appropriate paperwork for this settlement; the motion passed by voice vote.

Why this matters: Participation preserves the county’s ability to receive any allocation from the national Purdue/Sackler settlement. Counsel told commissioners there is no guarantee of a dollar amount for this settlement but encouraged participation to avoid losing potential recovery opportunities.

Next steps: The chair’s signature will be transmitted to the appropriate state and national settlement administrators; counsel said there is at least one other settlement under discussion for which the county has not yet received final participation documents.

Ending: The authorization commits the county to participate in the currently offered Purdue/Sackler settlement release and positions it to receive any allocated funds if the larger state participation supports distribution.