What’s happening?
Lewisville is expected to receive $28,777.64 over 10 years for uses related to opioid abatement and remediation, according to a Dec. 9 staff memo. City Council members authorized the signing of a settlement participation agreement during a special called meeting Dec. 9.
The action comes after the Texas Attorney General’s office announced it had reached an $83 million settlement with The Kroger Company in November. Some money from the settlement will be redirected to cities and counties in the state through Texas’ Opioid Abatement Trust Fund.
Any funds awarded must be used for remediating opioid harm within the community through several strategies established by the Texas Opioid Abatement Fund Council. Key strategies include:
- Expanding access to naloxone, a medicine used to treat overdoses from fentanyl and other opioids.
- Expanding screening, treatment and referral services for pregnant women who use opioids.
- Preventing opioid misuse through programs and campaigns.
To date, Lewisville has received more than $143,000 through state settlements for opioid abatement uses. Texas’ settlement with The Kroger Company was the latest in a line of settlements with companies such as Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, McKinsey and Janssen Pharmaceuticals, according to the Texas Comptroller’s website.
Lewisville council members first adopted payout terms in 2021 after Texas settled with McKesson, Cardinal Health, AmerisourceBergen and Janssen Pharmaceuticals. The city is expected to receive $382,094.00 in total over 18 years, according to a November 2021 city council agenda.
More information about the state’s opioid settlements can be found on the Texas Comptroller’s website.
