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3 <br /> <br />it is not yet known how much money will be coming to the state from these bankruptcies, <br />although the Attorney General’s Office expects the figure to be in the tens of millions. <br /> <br />9. Why is it so important to join the Settlements and the MN MOA? <br /> <br />The opioid epidemic has taken the lives of more than 5,400 Minnesotans since 2000. The <br />epidemic has torn families apart and ravaged communities, particularly American Indian <br />populations and communities of color. Individuals, families, and communities continue to <br />suffer, as the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a surge in both fatal and nonfatal overdose <br />deaths. <br /> <br />The epidemic was fueled by irresponsible marketing and inadequate monitoring on the part <br />of opioid makers and distributors. In addition to potentially over $296 million to fight the <br />epidemic, settlements with the Distributors and J&J will shine a light on these companies’ <br />conduct and help make sure nothing like this ever happens again. The MN MOA is an <br />important step forward in holding these companies accountable and directing much-needed <br />resources to communities across the state. <br /> <br />10. What are the most important features of the MN MOA? <br /> <br />The Settlements require state and local governments to use the vast majority of settlement <br />funds to address the opioid epidemic. Consistent with this principle, the MN MOA <br />dedicates funds to that purpose. The Attorney General’s Office convened an expert panel <br />of local, state, and community providers with experience and expertise in public health and <br />delivery of health care services to determine the best and most effective use of the <br />settlement funds (the “Advisory Panel to the Attorney General on Distribution and <br />Allocation of Opioid Settlement Funds” or the “panel”). The panel selected a <br />comprehensive list of future opioid abatement and remediation programs to which these <br />settlement funds must be dedicated, whether those funds are received by the State, cities, <br />or counties. <br /> <br />The MN MOA also enables Minnesota to maximize resources to fight the epidemic. The <br />MN MOA was designed to incentivize cities and counties to join in order to earn the <br />maximum amount of payments from the Settlements. To maximize resources flowing to <br />communities on the front lines of the epidemic, the MN MOA directs settlement funds as <br />follows: <br /> <br /> 75 percent to local governments, including all counties and 33 cities. <br /> 25 percent to the state, to be overseen and distributed by the Opioid Epidemic <br />Response Advisory Council. <br />11. How does my city or county sign onto the MN MOA? <br /> <br />The county board, city council, or equivalent legislative body can pass a resolution stating <br />its intent to sign onto the MOA and directing the appropriate county or city official to <br />execute the MOA. Sample resolutions are available from the Association of Minnesota <br />Counties and the League of Minnesota Cities.