From left, Kosciusko County Commissioner Brad Jackson, Commissioner President Bob Conley and Commissioner Vice President Cary Groninger. InkFreeNews photo by Lasca Randels

By Lasca Randels
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Kosciusko County Commissioners agreed to opt into an opioid settlement that could net the State of Indiana $507 million if all cities, towns and counties participate. 

The decision was made at the commissioners’ meeting Tuesday, Dec. 14, with County Attorney Ed Ormsby providing information and reading portions of the settlement aloud:

“Indiana has been hit hard by the opioid epidemic. The rates of opioid prescribing in Indiana reached a peak in 2012 when, on average, there were 112 opioid prescriptions for every 100 residents in the state. From 2012 through 2016, there were 58 Indiana counties with opioid prescribing rates greater than 100 prescriptions per 100 residents.

Indiana recently announced that it anticipates being a part of the $26 billion national settlement with Johnson & Johnson, AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health and McKesson. Indiana’s share of the settlement could be up to $507 million if all cities, towns and counties participate.”

According to information on the Indiana Attorney General website, following years of negotiations, two proposed nationwide settlement agreements were reached that would resolve all opioid litigation brought by states and local political subdivisions against the three largest pharmaceutical distributors: McKesson, Cardinal Health and AmerisourceBergen (referred to as Distributors), and one manufacturer, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and its parent company Johnson & Johnson (collectively, “Janssen”).

The proposed Settlements require the Distributors and Janssen to pay billions of dollars to abate the opioid epidemic. Specifically, the Settlements require the Distributors to pay up to $21 billion over 18 years and Janssen to pay up to $5 billion over no more than nine years, for a total of $26 billion (the “Settlement Amount”). 

Of that amount, approximately $22.7 billion has been earmarked for use by participating states and subdivisions to remediate and abate the impacts of the opioid crisis.

“We can participate as a county in that settlement by opting into it, and the state is encouraging all of the subdivisions to do just that,” Ormsby said. “The more subdivisions that opt in, the more money that comes to the state.”

In exchange for participation in the settlement amounts, Ormsby said, county authorities would be required to sign several documents that in essence would release the parties mentioned in the settlement from any further liability with regard to the opioid epidemic.

“It’s my recommendation, after reviewing the documents, that the county go ahead and opt into that and participate in the settlement,” Ormsby said.

Ormsby further recommended that commissioners take up a motion that would allow the county to opt in and would give the county administration authority to do that and also authority for any one of the commissioners to sign the settlement documents that are necessary to participate. 

Commissioner Vice President Cary Groninger motioned for the county to participate in the settlement and for any of the commissioners to have authority to sign related documents.

Commissioner Brad Jackson seconded the motion, adding that although he is always hesitant to get involved in lawsuits, if the money is going to be out there anyway, the county might as well take advantage of that. 

“I kind of agree with you a little bit, Brad,” Commissioner President Bob Conley said. “But in talking with a number of physicians in the community, these companies knew … and knowingly and intentionally did this by selling these physicians on the fact that they could give these pain killers to their patients and at any point in time they could just quit taking the pain killer and there would be no residual effect and that just was not the case.”

In another matter, two scouts from BSA Troop 726 in North Webster were recognized for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. Evan Brower and Logan Roberson, both of North Webster, attended the Kosciusko Commissioners’ meeting and received certificates.

Brower is a junior at Wawasee High School. He is the son of Ken and Mary Brower. He started in Cub scouts in 2012 and joined Scouts BSA Troop 726 in 2015. Brower’s Eagle Scout project involved building small picnic tables for the newly-opened pre-school at the North Webster Elementary School. Brower will be having his Eagle Court of Honor  Saturday, Dec. 18, at the North Webster United Methodist Church.

Roberson graduated from Wawasee High School in June. His parents are Jacob and Nicole Roberson. He started Cub Scouts in 2010 and joined Scout BSA Troop 726 in 2013. Roberson’s Eagle Scout project involved constructing a large bird rehabilitation enclosure that will house birds such as hawks or eagles that are in need of rehabilitation. Roberson’s Eagle Court of Honor will be Jan. 2 at the North Webster United Methodist Church.

Lastly, election of officers for 2022 was held. Cary Groninger will take over as Kosciusko Commissioner president in 2022, with Brad Jackson stepping into the role of vice president and Bob Conley serving as commissioner. 

In other news:

• The redistricting of Kosciusko County Commissioner districts and the recertification of County Council districts was approved. 
• A Memorandum of Understanding between Kosciusko County and the town of Sidney was approved. This memo relates to a portion of land in Sidney being used for operation of a cell support tower to provide radio communications coverage for the public safety radio system and broadband internet in the county. The agreement is for a term of 50 years.
• Three American Rescue Plan Act recommendations presented by County Administrator Marsha McSherry were approved.
• Commissioners approved an amended capital improvement plan.
• Pierceton Police Chief Tim Sammons attended the meeting to thank commissioners in person for approving ARPA funds to be used for radio upgrades for local law enforcement agencies.
• The next regular meeting will be 9 a.m. Jan. 4.

From left, Commissioner Brad Jackson, Commissioner President Bob Conley, Eagle Scouts Logan Roberson and Evan Brower and Commissioner Vice President Cary Groninger. InkFreeNews photo by Lasca Randels