Maine Communities Begin Putting Opioid Settlement Funds to Work—But Many Dollars Remain Unspent

Over the past several years, a series of nationwide legal settlements with pharmaceutical giants accused of contributing to the opioid epidemic has resulted in billions of dollars being distributed to states, counties, and municipalities across the country. Maine’s portion of this historic recovery effort totals approximately $230 million, to be paid out gradually through 2038. Yet despite receiving over $20 million in direct payments so far, many Maine communities have yet to fully utilize these critical resources.

At Peter Thompson & Associates, we have seen firsthand how the opioid crisis has devastated families across the state. While financial settlements can never undo the harm, they can play a powerful role in building treatment capacity, improving prevention efforts, and supporting long-term recovery.

Under Maine’s distribution plan, the state’s share of the opioid settlement money is divided into three distinct channels:

• 50% is managed by the Maine Recovery Fund, overseen by the Maine Recovery Council.
• 30% goes directly to 39 counties and municipalities that were involved in the litigation or have populations over 10,000.
• 20% is allocated to the state government, under the guidance of the Attorney General’s office.

Each of these recipients is expected to use the funds for "opioid abatement," a term that includes a wide array of eligible programs—from treatment and prevention to education and harm reduction.

While some counties have begun deploying their settlement dollars in meaningful ways, a large portion of the money remains unspent. York County is one of the few jurisdictions to have fully allocated its share, roughly $1.4 million, toward the creation of a new regional recovery center. Other counties and towns have moved more cautiously.

Spending to date has often focused on jail-based treatment programs, medication-assisted therapy, and hiring mental health professionals to partner with law enforcement. In several communities, funds have supported the purchase of equipment such as handheld drug-checking devices or transportation for outreach staff.

Additionally, some municipalities have awarded grants to local nonprofits tackling the opioid crisis at the community level. Cumberland County, for instance, solicited proposals to expand access to treatment and strengthen recovery infrastructure. One of the selected projects involves deploying a mobile health unit to serve people at high risk of overdose, including those recently released from jail and individuals without stable housing.

Despite clear guidance that the funds must be used to fight the opioid crisis, public oversight of how the money is being spent remains limited. Municipalities are not currently required to publish detailed expenditure reports, and the trusts administering the funds have limited enforcement authority. While some local leaders have voluntarily shared their spending plans, a number of communities have not responded to recent data requests.

According to available information, at least $1.6 million remains untouched across several towns and counties. In some cases, local officials say they are still developing long-term plans or seeking community input before committing to projects.

As a law firm dedicated to helping individuals and families harmed by corporate negligence, Peter Thompson & Associates continues to monitor how these opioid settlement funds are being deployed in Maine. We believe it is essential that the money be used effectively, equitably, and transparently to address the ongoing public health crisis caused by opioid addiction.

Whether funding treatment beds, supporting recovery centers, or ensuring that law enforcement agencies have the tools they need to respond compassionately to addiction-related emergencies, this funding can be a lifeline—but only if it is put to work.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by the opioid crisis or by negligence related to pharmaceutical drugs, our legal team is here to help. Contact Peter Thompson & Associates for a free, confidential consultation.