
(DailyChive.com) – A $110 million settlement between Kroger and Kentucky aims to tackle the ongoing opioid crisis with much-needed funds.
At a Glance
- Kroger settles for $110 million in Kentucky over opioid distribution claims.
- The case involved 444 million opioid doses distributed by Kroger over 13 years.
- The settlement funds will support local governments and opioid abatement projects.
- Kroger denies any wrongdoing despite agreeing to the settlement.
Details of the Settlement
Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman announced the settlement with Kroger, concluding a case that alleged improper opioid distribution from 2006 to 2019. Facing allegations of filling 444 million opioid prescriptions—accounting for 11% of Kentucky’s total during that time—Kroger has agreed to a significant financial settlement. These settlement funds are poised to nearly double what Kentucky anticipated receiving from other multi-state opioid settlements.
Kroger, however, disputes claims of wrongdoing, insisting their internal systems adequately monitored opioid prescriptions. This settlement, part of a larger national effort, aims to address the damage caused by opioid misuse. Half of the $110 million will be divided among Kentucky’s counties and cities to bolster local opioid prevention services, while the other half will enhance state-wide initiatives managed by the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission.
Impact on Kentucky’s Opioid Crisis
With the settlement funds, communities across Kentucky are set to receive significant support in the fight against opioid addiction. This financial injection arrives amid a severe opioid crisis, where over 2,000 individuals lost their lives to overdoses in 2022 alone. Kentucky’s independent legal strategy has ensured a larger share of settlement funds, offering more resources to combat this epidemic’s devastating effects.
“For over a decade, Kroger tragically fed the flames of the drug addiction fire that rages across every county of our Commonwealth. But this devastation isn’t the end of the story: Kentucky is resilient, and we get back up, no matter how many times we are knocked down.” – Russell Coleman
Attorney General Coleman emphasized the deal’s significance, underscoring its potential to address both immediate and long-term challenges. The settlement’s focus on prevention and abatement reflects broader efforts to right past wrongs and foster community resilience.
Kentucky reached a $110 million settlement with Kroger for its role in the opioid epidemic https://t.co/HQsyeMOaJa
— WDRB News (@WDRBNews) January 9, 2025
A Broader National Context
Kroger’s settlement fits within a larger landscape of opioid-related legal actions involving major pharmaceutical and retail firms. The national settlement, spanning companies like Johnson & Johnson and CVS, approaches a total of $51 billion dedicated to vulnerable communities. In Kentucky, these funds aim to halt destructive cycles of addiction and spur sustainable recovery initiatives.
“Righting the wrongs of the past and addressing the root cause of these issues isn’t just important, it’s essential if we want to avoid the repeating cycles of pain and loss.” – Alecia Webb-Edgington
As the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission begins accepting grant applications, the state continues to position itself at the forefront of opioid crisis resolution. With new funding pipelines opened, Kentucky stands ready to foster innovative practices that safeguard its residents’ well-being, ensuring a more secure and resilient future.
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