What’s happening?
At a Dec. 2 meeting, Missouri City City Council approved joining a settlement agreement with Kroger for its participation in over-distributing opioids. The settlement is a part of a larger movement by the Texas Office of the Attorney General to hold pharmaceutical companies, retail companies and distributors accountable for the opioid crisis, according to agenda documents.
The city is expected to receive approximately $15,000 from Kroger, which will be used for treatment tools including Narcan, which is used for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose, City Attorney E. Joyce Iyamu said.
Zooming out
Fort Bend County has also received $575,000 by participating in lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies, retail companies and distributors, County Attorney Bridgette Smith-Lawson said. The funds will help to support various initiatives to prevent opioid abuse in the county.
Additionally, the city of Katy also joined the settlement at its Dec. 9 City Council meeting.
Notable quote
“The Kroger settlement is important for Missouri City, like other cities in our country, because the provision of certain pharmaceuticals has impacted the lives of community members and impacts the city’s provision of public safety services,” Iyamu said.
What’s next?
The last day to join the settlement is Dec. 29 and funds will be dispersed to the city following the closing, Iyamu said.
More funding could also come to the city through other settlements in the future, she said.
