Bucks County has earned millions of dollars in opioid settlement money in 2022 and will receive millions more for 2023, write Ed Mahon and Kate Giammarise for Spotlight PA.  

According to data from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General and Pennsylvania Opioid Misuse and Addiction Abatement Trust, Bucks County received over $4.6 million in settlement money in 2022.  

The estimated number of settlements the county is set to receive is for 2023 is over $3 million.  

County governments and district attorney offices received an average of $6.50 per resident. However, individual counties experienced a wide range of payments. 

The distribution formula, as explained by spokesperson Brett Hambright from the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office, was based on the level of need rather than population alone.  

Some rural counties, despite having fewer residents, had higher rates of addiction. 

The state negotiated its part in a national $26 billion agreement with drug companies. To increase Pennsylvania’s share, the state worked to get all 67 counties, major cities, and hundreds of municipalities on board.  

In 2022, local governments were allocated over $86 million, and an additional $56 million is expected in December from various settlements. 

To see a breakdown of all the counties’ settlement funds, visit Spotlight PA.

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