The number of ER visits for opioid overdoses fell by nearly half from 2023 to 2025 — from 503 to 258 — coinciding with the rollout of addiction programs funded by the opioid lawsuit settlement.
Buncombe County will get a windfall of more than $30 million from the National Opioids Settlement — a payout resulting from the lawsuit against pharmaceutical companies, distributors and pharmacy chains for peddling opioids despite the extreme addiction risks.
The $50 billion won in the lawsuit is being divvied up among state and local governments across the country to use for prevention, treatment and recovery services. Money is being paid out incrementally over about 15 years, with Buncombe’s $30 million coming in annual installments between 2024 and 2038…