In a landmark decision, a bankruptcy judge has approved a $7.4 billion settlement against Purdue Pharma and its billionaire owners, the Sackler family, for their role in the U.S. opioid crisis. The deal, which was initially proposed in January, aims to conclude a protracted legal battle and provide much-needed funding for addiction treatment and prevention. This settlement represents an increase of over $1 billion from a previous agreement that was rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court last year. Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin, filed for bankruptcy in 2019 amid thousands of lawsuits accusing the company of aggressively marketing the highly addictive painkiller while downplaying its risks. The Sackler family, who have denied any wrongdoing, will relinquish ownership of Purdue Pharma, which will be replaced by a nonprofit organization, Knoa Pharma, dedicated to addressing the opioid crisis. The settlement does not grant the Sacklers immunity from future lawsuits. Individual victims are expected to receive up to $865 million, while the majority of the funds will go to state and local governments to support addiction treatment and prevention programs. The opioid crisis, which has been linked to over 900,000 deaths since 1999, has been exacerbated by the widespread use of OxyContin, a drug that Purdue Pharma marketed as safe despite its addictive properties. The Sackler family is set to contribute between $6.5 billion and $7 billion as part of the agreement. The settlement has garnered overwhelming support, with more than 99% of creditors voting in favor of the bankruptcy restructuring plan. California Attorney General Rob Bonta emphasized the importance of holding Purdue Pharma and the Sacklers accountable, stating that the settlement will bring critical funding to those affected by the crisis.