Lawmakers in Ohio and Pennsylvania are reacting after a tentative settlement was announced Wednesday in the months-long lawsuit over Purdue Pharma's role in the United States' opioid addiction crisis.

"As Attorney General, I filed Ohio's lawsuit against Purdue Pharma on May 31, 2017, making Ohio just the second state to sue an opioid manufacturer. While it took far too long, Purdue Pharma has finally settled so that they can begin paying to clean up the mess they created when they worked to convince the public that their prescription opioids were not addictive. They were addictive, and tens of thousands of Ohioans have died or had their lives destroyed by those addictions. The collateral damage has been significant: traumatizing children, stretching our foster care and social service systems excruciatingly thin and increasing the burden on law enforcement. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said, "Now that this settlement is close to being finalized, we must turn to focus on how to work to combat this damage using these settlement funds. The plans I have laid out regarding prevention education, treatment, law enforcement task forces, and support to our local governments and social services should be further funded through this settlement so it can immediately begin making a positive impact from across Ohio. Money from this settlement must be used to fund our long-term commitment to reducing substance use disorders and improving the health of vulnerable Ohioans."
 
Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro released the following statement.
 
"This apparent settlement is a slap in the face to everyone who has had to bury a loved one due to this family's destruction and greed. It allows the Sackler family to walk away billionaires and admit no wrongdoing. Shapiro said, "We know they targeted Pennsylvanians-especially seniors and veterans-which contributed to the crisis we are dealing with today that claims the lives of 12 Pennsylvanians a day. I won't let them get away with the harm they inflicted on our Commonwealth. This is far from over."