Local governments in Mich. have two days left to apply for opioid settlement funds

Local municipalities and county governments in Michigan have two days left to apply for funds from a $5.5 billion national opioid settlement with Walgreens.

A previous deadline was extended until Sep. 20 so that Michigan's local governments could have more time to sign up. As much as $338 million will be available to Michigan governments over the course of 18 years, depending in part, on the participation of local governments, according to a news release from State Attorney General Dana Nessel.

"The funds from this settlement cannot ease the pain of those who lost loved ones, but the money can bring much-needed remediation dollars to the many Michigan communities ravaged by the opioid epidemic," Nessel said earlier this month when the extension was announced. "I again encourage every eligible municipality to register before the deadline to get these hard-fought funds directly into their communities where they can reach the people most in need of help."

Nessel reached the settlement with Walgreens in June after suing the pharmaceutical company in the Wayne County Circuit Court over its role in the opioid epidemic. Since 2000, opioid overdose deaths have grown ten-fold in Michigan, according to state officials.

Michigan joined the national Walgreens Opioids Settlement which allows 278 local units of government across the state to participate. This is one of eight national opioid settlements that Nessel has joined and Michigan is set to receive over $1.5 billion as a result, according to the news release.

Eligible local governments can email participation forms to the Department of the Attorney General prior to the Sep. 20 deadline here.

hmackay@detroitnews.com