(a) It is the intent of the General Assembly that the Prescription Opioid Impact Fund be established under this chapter to fund prevention and treatment of opioid addiction. In establishing the Prescription Opioid Impact Fund, the General Assembly finds as follows: (1) The Prescription Opioid Impact Fund is needed to prevent and respond to the dramatic increase in opioid addiction in this State. (2) The Prescription Opioid Impact Fund is needed to protect the public health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of this State. (3) In the 4 years prior to the creation of the Prescription Opioid Impact Fund, prescription opioids were dispensed to Delaware residents as follows: a. In 2015, 870,017 prescriptions for 59,138,601 individual doses totaling 1,104,171,268 MMEs. b. In 2016, 831,005 prescriptions for 56,440,474 individual doses totaling 1,050,147,346 MMEs. c. In 2017, 750,944 prescriptions for 49,875,000 individual doses totaling 921,842,143 MMEs. d. In 2018, 750,691 prescriptions for 46,125,690 individual doses totaling 826,770,680 MMEs. (4) There is a direct connection in this State between the quantity and strength of opioids prescribed to citizens and the rates of opioid addiction and overdose deaths. (5) There is a substantial nexus between the opioid manufacturers subject to the impact fee and the State, in part because only those manufacturers whose prescription opioids are dispensed in the State in amounts sufficient to meet the quarterly threshold in § 4804B(a) of this title are subject to the impact fee. (6) Opioid manufacturers receive revenues in connection with prescription opioids dispensed in in this State. (7) The Prescription Opioid Impact Fund will pay for a share of the cost incurred by the State of opioid substance abuse treatment and prevention. (8) The impact fee does not discriminate against interstate commerce, because both in-state and out-of-state opioid manufacturers are equally subject to its provisions. (9) The impact fee is fairly apportioned because it is based upon the volume of an opioid manufacturer's product dispensed within Delaware, with recognition that some manufacturers' products have different underlying costs and are sold at substantially different prices. (10) By paying a share of the cost of opioid addiction treatment and prevention, the opioid manufacturers receive assistance in promoting responsible product use and offset negative effect that these products have on Delaware residents. (b) It is the intent of this chapter to ensure that adequate public funds are available to do all of the following: (1) Prevent more individuals from becoming addicted to opioids. (2) Provide funding to defray expenses incurred by the Prescription Monitoring Program under this chapter. (3) Provide opioid addiction treatment to all Delawareans who have opioid addiction. (4) Fund emergency medical assistance to treat opioid overdoses.
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