Attorney General Tim Griffin has announced that Arkansas will receive up to $13.5 million as part of a $1.37 billion settlement involving Arkansas, 29 other states, and Kroger, related to the opioid crisis.
“Opioid addiction continues to be a scourge in Arkansas and our nation. I am pleased with this settlement as the funds will go to opioid abatement. I am grateful to the bipartisan coalition of state attorneys general who worked together on behalf of their citizens to hold Kroger accountable.”
The funds will be distributed to Arkansas over 11 payments, concluding in 2034.
In addition to the financial settlement, Kroger has agreed to strengthen oversight at its pharmacies. The company will now be required to monitor, report, and share data on suspicious activities related to opioid prescriptions to help prevent misuse.
Between 2006 and 2014, nearly 1.5 billion opioid units were distributed in Arkansas alone. By 2016, the state had the second-highest opioid prescription rate in the nation, with 114.6 opioid prescriptions for every 100 residents.
In November 2023, Griffin also announced a $50 million grant to help establish the National Center for Opioid Research & Clinical Effectiveness (NCOR) at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, furthering the state’s commitment to combating opioid addiction.
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