South Raleigh News

Attorney General Josh Stein has announced the finalization of a $1.37 billion settlement with Kroger, involving 30 bipartisan Attorneys General. The settlement addresses the role of Kroger's pharmacies in the opioid crisis. North Carolina is set to receive $40 million for opioid abatement, with payments starting early next year. Attorney General Stein led the negotiations alongside Attorneys General from California, Colorado, Illinois, Oregon, Tennessee, and Virginia.

"Working to hold accountable the companies that created and fueled the opioid crisis in North Carolina has been a top priority," said Attorney General Josh Stein. "And we are winning. These funds will help people stay alive, get treatment, and begin recovery. We are also forcing these companies to change their behavior so more people don’t get addicted to these deadly drugs."

Kroger has agreed to provide injunctive relief by monitoring and reporting suspicious activity related to opioid prescriptions at its pharmacies.

The company operates under various names nationwide, including Harris Teeter in North Carolina and others like Dillons, Fred Meyer, Smith’s Food and Drug, Ralphs, King Soopers, Fry’s, QFC, City Market, Jay C, Pay Less, Baker’s, Gerbes, Pick ‘n Save, Metro Market, and Mariano’s.

Attorney General Stein has secured over $1.4 billion in opioid settlement funds for North Carolina overall. Local governments will receive $1.2 billion to tackle the opioid overdose crisis through the Community Opioid Resources Engine (CORE-NC), which provides transparency on fund usage.