Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr has highlighted the ongoing impact of the opioid crisis on families and communities throughout the state, noting its widespread reach across various economic, geographic, and demographic sectors.
“The opioid crisis knows no economic, geographic, or demographic boundaries, and it continues to have a devastating impact on families and communities throughout our state,” said General Chris Carr.
Carr announced that Georgia stands to receive up to $20,031,864 from national settlements with eight pharmaceutical companies accused of contributing to the opioid epidemic. The total settlement amounts to approximately $710 million nationwide and involves companies such as Mylan, Hikma, Amneal, Apotex, Indivior, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Alvogen, and Zydus. These funds are earmarked for addiction treatment, prevention, and recovery services. Seven of these companies have agreed to cease promoting opioids and selling high-dose oxycodone while implementing measures to monitor suspicious orders. Indivior has committed to halting opioid sales for a decade but will continue offering medications for opioid use disorder. Carr’s office has previously secured over $1 billion for Georgia through earlier settlements related to opioids.
According to Carr’s office, efforts are also underway targeting fentanyl distribution within Georgia. His Gang Prosecution Unit collaborated with law enforcement in Richmond County to seize 15 pounds of fentanyl. Carr initiated Operation “Hold the Line,” a multi-agency effort aimed at drug cartels and gangs like Tren de Aragua. He has expressed support for the HALT Fentanyl Act in a letter addressed to the U.S. Senate and continues leading a statewide task force comprising over 300 partners focused on overdose prevention and public safety.
“We’re fighting this battle on multiple fronts by declaring war on fentanyl and holding accountable those who contributed to this crisis in the first place,” said Carr. “We have already secured more than one billion dollars to expand access to critical treatment and recovery services, and we will keep fighting to ensure those who are struggling receive the care they deserve.”
Chris Carr was appointed as Georgia’s attorney general by then-Governor Nathan Deal in 2016 and was re-elected in November 2022. Since assuming office, he has concentrated on tackling issues such as human trafficking, gang activity, and opioid misuse. This includes establishing Georgia’s first Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit and Gang Prosecution Unit. Prior to his current role, Carr served as Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development under Governor Deal from November 2013 until November 2016.
