Baltimore is returning to court to seek over $5 billion from opioid distributors McKesson and AmerisourceBergen in the second phase of its lawsuit, arguing the funds are necessary to combat the long-term effects of the opioid crisis. While a jury previously awarded $266 million in damages, this abatement hearing will determine whether the companies must finance a 15-year plan for treatment, harm reduction, and prevention—an approach the drug distributors strongly oppose. Originally published in The Baltimore Banner.

Susan Sherman is quoted.