By Emmanuel T. Erediano
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
THE CNMI has received $2 million in opioid settlement proceeds, the Opioid Proceeds Council or OPC reported to Gov. David M. Apatang.
Enacted in April 2024, Public Law 23-19 created the Opioid Litigation Proceeds Fund to manage funds received by the Commonwealth in connection with legal claims against manufacturers, distributors, pharmacies, and related parties for their alleged contributions to high rates of drug overdoses and other drug-related harms.
The law also established a three-member Opioid Proceeds Council to oversee the funds for abatement and remediation of opioid and substance use disorder in the CNMI.
In her report to the governor, OPC Chair Halina S. Palacios said the council has received $2,052,792 in opioid settlement proceeds to date. This includes $957,484 from pharmaceutical distributors in 2022, $250,916 from the National Opioid Settlement in 2023, $543,176 from McKesson in 2024, and $301,217 from Janssen in 2025. The CNMI stands to receive more than $3 million over the next 13 years.
Palacios noted that when the OPC first convened, the available budget was over $1.7 million. The council proposed a comprehensive $1.6 million budget, of which $443,706 was spent on administration and operations, and $1 million was encumbered for funding awards.
Recipients of the funds included:
1) CNMI Drug Court – treatment workshops, participant skills training, and aftercare services: $80,442
2) Substance Abuse Addiction & Rehabilitation – additional beds at HOPE Recovery Center: $151,000
3) Department of Corrections – staff training in medication-assisted treatment, withdrawal management, trauma-informed care, and ethical/legal responsibilities: $19,800
4) Commonwealth Healthcare Corp.–Community Guidance Center addiction services: $80,000
5) Rota Health Center – quantum units memberships: $2,248
6) Northern Mariana Islands Football Association – peer support specialists for program design and implementation: $50,000
Palacios called 2025 a “year of feats” for the OPC. In just seven months, the council convened, established an office, and successfully completed its first round of funding awards. She said lessons learned in 2025 will help refine processes, strengthen community partner engagement, and ensure greater impact for future awards.
P.L. 23-19 was enacted two years ago in anticipation of substantial settlement payments from litigation against manufacturers, distributors, pharmacies, and related parties linked to prescription opioid harms.
According to the law’s author, Rep. Joel C. Camacho, “Using these funds to address substance use disorders, overdoses, and drug-related harms will require dedication, resources, and many years. Directing opioid litigation proceeds to establish, sustain, and expand substance use abatement services for prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction in the Northern Mariana Islands represents a critically important down payment on work to be done.”
Emmanuel “Arnold” Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
