Boone County receives nearly $2 million in class action lawsuit against Kroger

COLUMBIA, Missouri (KMIZ)

The Boone County Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to enter into an agreement with Kroger as part of the company’s recent class action lawsuit settlement.

The Associated Press reported in September that Kroger had agreed to pay up to $1.4 billion over 11 years to various state and local governments and Native American tribes, as well as to cover legal fees, to avoid admitting wrongdoing or liability in the ongoing opioid crisis in the United States.

The agreement would provide Boone County with nearly $2 million through 2038, said Commissioner Kip Kendrick. Kroger has stores and pharmacies in 35 states, including two Gerbes locations in Columbia.

“This could be an additional opportunity for Boone County to receive funds from the opioid settlement funds to put back into the programs,” Kendrick said.

Boone County commissioners are currently holding meetings to discuss how to spend fiscal year 2025 funds. The commission has already held meetings with representatives from the Missouri Department of Mental Health, the Department of Health and Senior Services and local members of the Board of Public Health, Kendrick said.

According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Missouri ranks 31st among all states in drug overdose death rates in 2021. The DHSS also adds that drug overdoses are the leading cause of death among adults ages 18 to 44 in the state, with more than 70% of drug overdose deaths involving opioids.

Kendrick believes the settlement is not enough to repair the harm caused by opioids.

“This is just a drop in the bucket compared to what is needed,” Kendrick said. “But these funds will still be helpful.”

The Columbia/Boone County Health and Human Services Department will host its monthly naloxone information and distribution event on Tuesday, July 30, from noon to 1 p.m. at the Daniel Boone Regional Library, 100 West Broadway. Naloxone is used to reverse the effects of an overdose.