Great Lakes Wire

LANSING – The deadline for local governments and counties to register to receive funds from the $1.2 billion National Kroger Settlement is August 12. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is encouraging municipalities that have not yet joined the settlement to complete and submit their participation forms by Monday. The settlement will bring nearly $42 million to Michigan governments over 11 years to help address the opioid crisis.

“The opioid crisis wreaked havoc on our communities, leaving men, women, and children forever changed,” said Nessel when announcing the settlement last month. “While this settlement cannot erase the profound impact the opioid epidemic continues to have on our state, it does represent a significant step toward holding companies accountable for the suffering they have caused. I urge every eligible municipality to register to receive these funds so this settlement can effectively reach our communities and help those most desperately in need.”

The settlement allows eligible local units of government in Michigan, referred to as subdivisions in the settlement agreement, to participate. If there is sufficient local government joinder, the agreement should become effective by early fall.

According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, between 2000 and 2020, the opioid death rate in Michigan increased on average 13.9% each year. These deaths—and the impacts on thousands who have struggled with opioid addiction—have created considerable costs for health care, child welfare, and criminal justice systems. More significant than the dollars and cents in damage to the state, the impact of opioid addiction, substance use, and overdose deaths has torn families apart, damaged relationships, and devastated communities.

Since taking office in 2019, Attorney General Nessel has focused intently on combatting the opioid epidemic and holding accountable those responsible for creating and fueling the crisis. This effort resulted in over $1.6 billion to Michigan governments through settlements with Publicis, McKinsey & Co., Distributors (Cardinal Health, McKesson Inc., AmerisourceBergen), Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Allergan Pharmaceutical LLC., CVS Health Corp., Walmart Inc., and Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. Funds are distributed to state and local units of government for opioid-use disorder treatment and remediation. The website includes an updated Opioid Settlement Payment Estimator worksheet that now includes estimates from the Kroger settlement.

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