Attorney General Chris Carr has announced that Georgia, along with its local governments, will receive over $55 million to enhance opioid treatment and recovery services. This funding is part of a settlement agreement with Kroger, finalized as part of a broader $1.37 billion settlement involving 30 states. The agreement addresses allegations that Kroger contributed to the opioid crisis.
Kroger has also committed to measures requiring its pharmacies to monitor and report suspicious activities related to opioid prescriptions. Carr emphasized the widespread impact of the opioid crisis in Georgia, stating, “The opioid crisis knows no economic, geographic, or demographic boundaries, and it continues to have a devastating impact on families and communities throughout our state.”
Carr noted that through various national settlements with opioid manufacturers and distributors, more than one billion dollars have been secured for state and local governments in Georgia for opioid abatement efforts.
Statistics from the Georgia Department of Public Health indicate a significant rise in opioid-related deaths. From 2010 to 2022, such deaths increased by 302 percent in Georgia. Fentanyl has been identified as a key factor in this increase, with related deaths rising by 308 percent from 2019 to 2022.
Carr's Statewide Opioid Task Force recently met in several counties to discuss the distribution of settlement funds. The Task Force includes over 300 partners from various sectors working collaboratively against the opioid crisis.