3 sources·Health

Kroger Settles Kentucky Lawsuit for $110 Million Over Opioid Crisis

Kentucky receives $110 million from Kroger to combat the opioid epidemic linked to the company's pharmacies fueling addiction.

The distribution of story sources: left-leaning (blue), center (light gray), and right-leaning (red).
Reliable
The underlying sources consistently report facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
Balanced
The underlying sources are either a balanced mix of left and right or primarily centrist.
  1. Kroger agrees to pay $110M to Kentucky in opioid settlement

    Kroger's actions in Kentucky demonstrate a significant disregard for the ongoing opioid crisis, and the settlement underscores the urgent need for accountability among companies that contribute to this public health emergency.

    Kroger agrees to pay $110M to Kentucky in opioid settlement

    The HillThe Hill·3M
    Reliable
    This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
    ·
    Center
    This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
  2. Kroger to pay $110 million to resolve Kentucky lawsuit over opioid epidemic

    Instead, Kroger continued to ship massive quantities of opioids throughout the state, failed to report suspicious orders to authorities and continued to dispense addictive drugs at "alarming" rates in Kentucky, which was hard-hit by the drug-addiction epidemic, according to the lawsuit.

    Kroger to pay $110 million to resolve Kentucky lawsuit over opioid epidemic

    CNBCCNBC·3M
    Reliable
    This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
    ·
    Center
    This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
  3. Kentucky reaches $110 million deal with Kroger to settle its opioid lawsuit

    This massive grocery chain that asked for our trust and our business allowed the fire of addiction to spread across the commonwealth, leaving pain and leaving so much brokenness in its aftermath.

    Kentucky reaches $110 million deal with Kroger to settle its opioid lawsuit

    Associated PressAssociated Press·3M
    Reliable
    This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
    ·
    Center
    This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
  1. The Hill
  2. CNBC
  3. Associated Press
Updated: Jan 9th, 2025, 7:21 PM ET

Summary

A summary of the key points of this story verified across multiple sources.

Kroger has agreed to pay $110 million to Kentucky to settle a lawsuit accusing its pharmacies of contributing to the opioid crisis by dispensing 444 million doses. Attorney General Russell Coleman argued that Kroger allowed addiction to spread without sufficient monitoring and training for staff. The funds will be used for addiction prevention and recovery efforts in the state. Kentucky's overdose death rates remain high despite a decline in recent years, with nearly 2,000 deaths recorded in 2023. Kroger denied wrongdoing but sought to contribute to combating opioid abuse.

Perspectives

Compare opinions on this story from liberal (Left), conservative (Right) or center-leaning news organizations.

This story is either non-partisan or does not have the required sources to create partisan perspectives.