COVINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 9, 2025) -- Attorney General Russell Coleman delivered the following remarks today at Life Learning Center in Covington, Ky. announcing a $110 million settlement with the Kroger Company for its role in worsening the opioid and drug crisis:
***As Prepared for Delivery***
"Thank you, Alecia [Webb-Edgington], both for hosting us today and for the incredible work of Life Learning Center to promote long-term recovery. And thank you for your many years of fine service to our Commonwealth.
"I hope everyone gathered here knows the remarkable talent at work at Life Learning Center. We’re lucky to have you helping lead this effort which is positively changing lives here in Covington and across Kentucky.
"Standing here in Northern Kentucky, I don’t need to describe the pain of the drug crisis. I’m sure every one of us in the room has looked into the face of this tragedy. Maybe it’s someone you know or a colleague. It could be someone in your family.
"There are too many empty seats at kitchen tables… empty pews at church. Too many Kentuckians with their potential stolen away by this scourge.
"This region has set an extraordinary example of collaboration to fight this crisis. To give just one example, leaders in this region established their own drug control policy office to fight the unique challenges of the drug crisis here in Boone, Kenton, Campbell and the neighboring counties on both sides of the river.
"The outstanding collaboration is one of the reasons I wanted to come to Northern Kentucky for today’s announcement.
"I ran for this job to get back in the fight to stop this poison from flooding into our neighborhoods.
"That means holding accountable those who made these deadly drugs accessible. That means investing in treatment, enforcement and – especially important – prevention. That means securing our southern border to protect young people from the cartels and other foreign adversaries.
"It means zealously collaborating with outstanding local leaders, including many in this room.
"These are all ways of pushing back against the darkness that feels like it is always creeping closer.
"I just marked one full year into my term, and I can already say without hesitation that this will be among the most important work I will do as Attorney General.
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"So, today I’m proud to make a major announcement in this fight.
"I am here to announce a settlement with Kroger totaling $110 million for its role in the devastating drug crisis.
"This morning, I would like to discuss this extraordinary milestone in our recovery efforts, recognize the leadership of county attorneys who have fought for so long to get us here, and thank the team that I truly believe has helped save lives.
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"Building on the work of county attorneys and others in this room, our Office filed a lawsuit against Kroger in February of last year. We didn’t take the decision lightly.
"Kroger has created a public image of trust in this region and in many parts of our Commonwealth. But the facts, as we alleged in our lawsuit, showed a different story altogether.
"Kroger and its more than 100 pharmacies across Kentucky were responsible for roughly 444 million opioid doses coming into our Commonwealth over a 13-year period. That’s more than 100 opioid doses for every man, woman and child in Kentucky.
"It amounts to 11% of all opioid pills dispensed in the Commonwealth during that time.
"Most shocking– there was no serious system in place to track or report suspicious activity. No trainings for staff. No guidelines to prevent abuse.
"This massive grocery chain that asked for our trust and our business allowed the fire of addiction to spread across Kentucky, leaving pain and brokenness in its aftermath.
"We didn’t seek out this lawsuit for the headlines or the attention. We did it because of the almost unthinkable level of harm that was inflicted on Kentuckians.
"We launched this lawsuit because for over a decade, Kroger was part of the problem that plagued our Commonwealth.
"Today, with $110 million invested in recovery efforts in Kentucky, Kroger has agreed to be part of the solution.
"We get to begin writing our next chapter.
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"According to the arrangement created in Kentucky law by the General Assembly, half of these funds will be transferred directly to cities and counties for their own programming.
"It’s a privilege to be joined today by many local leaders. Thank you all for what you do for those you serve.
"These incredible public servants know the needs of their communities, and they will soon have the resources to invest directly into programs to help.
"The other half of this settlement will be entrusted to the stewardship of the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission under the leadership of Executive Director Chris Evans. This Commission is a spark of hope in the darkness of addiction.
"Last year, the Commission approved more than $12 million in funding for 51 Kentucky organizations for prevention, treatment and recovery programs.
"For instance, our host today, Life Learning Center was awarded nearly $500,000 for a cutting-edge technology system to track real-time data, support and accountability.
"I’ve had the opportunity to visit several of the other grant recipients in recent months to see the life-changing work happening right now in this Commonwealth. It’s truly inspiring, and I encourage all of you to join me in thanking those who have dedicated their lives to helping Kentuckians pursue recovery.
"Close to my heart, the Commission also approved our proposal for a two-year, $3.6 million statewide prevention initiative.
"We started rolling out the 'Better Without It' campaign at the UK/UofL basketball game in December – it’s hard to imagine a bigger stage for Kentuckians. We look forward to sharing more about the youth-focused education campaign that will reach our young people where they are with this positive message: they are Better Without It.
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"Too often with major announcements like this one, the people who did the real work are nowhere near the podium.
"I wanted today to be different. These settlement dollars will have a massive impact on Kentucky, I want to recognize the people who are the driving force behind them. I’d like to thank Kentucky’s Deputy Attorney General Rob Duncan, our Civil Chief Justin Clark, and Division Chief of Consumer and Senior Protection Chris Lewis.
"Thank you for the late nights away from your families, long weekends and many months you’ve dedicated to this case. Our Commonwealth could not have asked for better representation.
"You don’t have to just take my word for it.
"Before we filed our lawsuit, we had the opportunity to join a multi-state effort against Kroger. Anyone who follows our Office knows just how frequently we partner with other AGs to have an outsized impact on any particular issue.
"This case was different.
"If we would have joined the multi-state settlement, Kentucky was expected to receive somewhere close to $50 million.
"No state in the country has been more impacted by the drug crisis than Kentucky. And given the widespread presence of Kroger in our Commonwealth, I just wasn’t willing to let states like New York and California get big payouts at Kentucky’s expense.
"We made the decision to file our own lawsuit, and because of the incredible work of the legal team behind me, we’re able to deliver nearly double the settlement dollars.
"On behalf of all Kentuckians who will benefit, I want to say thank you to Rob, Justin and Chris for their outstanding work.
"Now I’ll turn it over to my friend and a truly extraordinary public servant, Deputy Attorney General Duncan.
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"As the litigation concludes, the hard work of saving lives begins. And I can think of no better person to lead this fight in our Office than Director Chris Evans.
"As the former DEA Acting Administrator, Director Evans brings world-class experience to this effort. And just as importantly, he brings a heart for saving lives from addiction.
"Hollywood can have their Captain America. We have ours, Chris Evans.
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"Before I take your questions, I want to speak directly to those who have lost a loved one to addiction.
"Before I’m Attorney General, I’m a Dad.
"I know that no amount of money is equal to the pain of your loss.
"But I hope you know this: I take the weight of these resources seriously. This is “blood money” purchased by your loved ones.
"Our Office and our partners on the Commission know the great responsibility we have. We must be good stewards and use these resources so other families aren’t forced to endure the same pain.
"That’s our mission. And with these resources and the team you’ve seen today, we’re ready to do it.
"Thank you again to our host, Alecia, and to all of you."