HELENA, Mont.– Montana will receive nearly $4 million from a multi-state settlement with Kroger, a national grocery chain, to address its role in the opioid crisis. Attorney General Austin Knudsen announced the settlement, which is part of a $1.37 billion national agreement involving 29 other states.
Montana’s share of the settlement amounts to $3,850,671. Payments to the states are expected to begin early next year. The funds will be used for opioid abatement efforts, including opioid use disorder treatment, providing Narcan to emergency responders, and supporting drug treatment courts for those with opioid-related substance abuse issues.
“Those responsible for the opioid crisis in our country must be held accountable. Opioids have killed hundreds of Montanans and even more struggle with addiction,” said Attorney General Knudsen. “This money will be put to good use to help us save lives.”
The settlement addresses allegations that Kroger failed to properly oversee opioid dispensing at its pharmacies. In addition to the monetary settlement, Kroger has agreed to implement measures to monitor, report, and share data on suspicious opioid prescription activities.
The opioid epidemic has resulted in hundreds of overdose deaths in Montana over the past 20 years, significantly impacting the state’s healthcare, child welfare, and criminal justice systems. In September, Attorney General Knudsen launched a program to distribute opioid reversal kits in middle and high schools throughout Montana. Earlier this year, Montana received $1 million from a national settlement with Publicis Health related to the opioid crisis.
In 2022, an $80 million settlement was announced with three major pharmaceutical distributors for their roles in the national opioid epidemic. In 2021, Montana secured $1.9 million from a settlement with McKinsey & Company for its involvement with opioid companies.
