Katy to receive nearly $4K from opioid settlement

The city of Katy will receive settlement funds to combat opioid overdoses in the area.

What’s happening?

At a Dec. 9 meeting, Katy City Council approved joining a settlement agreement against Kroger for the grocery store’s 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 will receive $3,951 from Kroger, which will be used to purchase a Lucas Device which assists when performing chest compressions in a medical emergency, said Andrew Vasquez, finance director for the city of Katy.

Zooming out

Fort Bend County also received $575,000 on Nov. 12 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, Missouri City City Council voted to join the Kroger settlement at its Dec. 2 meeting.

What’s next?

The last day to join the settlement was Dec. 29, and funds will be dispersed to participating entities following the closing, according to the attorney general’s website.