Published: 06/18/2026 | Author: Quentin Blount

New Hampshire is set to receive nearly $30 million as part of a nationwide settlement with Purdue Pharma. State officials say the money will go directly toward opioid addiction treatment, recovery support and prevention programs. For families still grieving losses from the epidemic, the announcement marks one of the largest single infusions of opioid recovery funding the state has seen.

The Granite State already has a wide variety of programs to treat substance misuse. Local Narcotics Anonymous chapters, inpatient medical centers and walk-in clinics offer hope and services for folks from any background. However, funding often remains tight. The $29.5 million from Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family will go a long way towards prevention and recovery efforts for people dealing with substance use. 

The Opioid Crisis in This Corner of New England

Opioids make up a class of drugs that bind to receptors in the brain to block pain and trigger euphoria. Repeated use can lead to physical dependence and narcotic addiction due to changes in brain chemistry and often requires medical support to treat. Overdose occurs when opioids suppress breathing to a dangerous degree, often leading to death.

Among opioids, illicit fentanyl is the main culprit. This synthetic opioid is far more potent than heroin and is frequently mixed into other street drugs without a user’s knowledge. That potency explains why harm reduction remains essential, even as settlement dollars fund longer-term treatment.

Folks in New Hampshire know this first hand. The opioid crisis peaked in 2017 with 416 opioid-related deaths, before resurging again during the COVID-19 pandemic. By 2024, the state recorded 248 opioid overdoses. Behind every number is a person, a family and a long road toward recovery from narcotic addiction.

Driving the Settlement

The settlement comes from 10 years of investigation and litigation joined by attorneys general from every state. The payout totals $7.4 billion in nationwide payouts from pharmaceuticals and distributors. As part of the agreement, the Sackler family, which owned Purdue Pharma, is permanently banned from selling opioids in the United States. The Sacklers are widely regarded as having fueled the opioid crisis across the entire nation.

New Hampshire officials expect to disburse more than half, $16.2 million, over three years. Attorney General John Formella observed that while no amount of money can undo the harm caused to families across the state, the agreement delivers accountability and funds hope for those impacted in the future. He adds that the state remains committed to help save lives and support long-term recovery. Governor Kelly Ayotte echoed that sentiment, thanking attorneys general nationwide for holding Purdue Pharma accountable for what she described as poisoning communities.

About $4.5 million of the settlement will be divided among cities and counties based on population. The remainder flows into the Opioid Abatement Trust Fund for an advisory commission to allocate to organizations and programs.

Harm Reduction and Treatment for Opioid Addiction

Public health experts widely support a harm reduction approach alongside traditional treatment. Among the most popular harm reduction methods is naloxone, used to reverse overdoses. 

• Naloxone is now available over the counter at many pharmacies, and many community organizations distribute it free of charge. 

• Medication-assisted treatment (MAT), using buprenorphine or methadone alongside counseling, remains the clinical gold standard for opioid use disorder. 

• Peer support also matters: Narcotics Anonymous meetings give people working through narcotic addictions a structured, judgment-free community of others in recovery.

Settlement funds like New Hampshire’s are increasingly directed toward exactly this mix of services, expanding access to MAT, recovery housing, and counseling programs rather than funding short-term fixes alone.

NA in New Hampshire and Beyond

If you or someone you love needs help with an addiction, don’t delay. Enrolling in a local NA meeting is often the first — and easiest — step you can take. Simply call 800-934-1582(Sponsored) or browse our directory for locations throughout the country.