TITLE
Title
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF KROGER OPIOID SETTLEMENT AND APPROVING THE SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDS
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SPONSOR
Sponsor
County Attorney Leslie-Fite / County Manager Michael Halford
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BACKGROUND
Background
A new national opioid settlement has been reached with Kroger Co. Guilford County is being asked along with all other counties in the state of North Carolina to consider and approve a resolution to participate in any settlement funding. County resolutions are due no later than August 12, 2024 in order to be eligible to participate. The total Kroger settlement is $1.2 Billion dollars; whereby if approved Guilford county could be eligible to receive an amount up to $1,151,611 (maximum eligible amount) of the settlement.
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RESOLUTION
Resolution
RESOLUTION BY THE COUNTY OF GUILFORD
AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF KROGER OPIOID SETTLEMENT AND APPROVING THE SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDS
WHEREAS, the opioid overdose epidemic has taken the lives of more than 37,000 North Carolinians since 2000; and
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has compounded the opioid overdose crisis, increasing levels of drug misuse, addiction, and overdose death; and
WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates the total economic burden of prescription opioid misuse alone in the United States is $78.5 billion a year, including the costs of healthcare, lost productivity, addiction treatment, and criminal justice involvement; and
WHEREAS, Guilford County and certain counties and municipalities in North Carolina joined with thousands of local governments across the country to file lawsuits against opioid manufacturers, pharmaceutical distribution companies, and chain drug stores to hold those companies accountable for their misconduct; and
WHEREAS, a settlement has been reached in litigation against the Kroger Co. (“Kroger”) as well as its subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, and directors named in the Kroger Settlement; and
WHEREAS, representatives of local North Carolina governments, the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, and the North Carolina Department of Justice have negotiated and prepared a Second Supplemental Agreement for Additional Funds (SAAF-2) to provide for the equitable distribution of the proceeds of these settlements; and
WHEREAS, by joining the settlements and approving the SAAF-2, the state and local governments maximize North Carolina’s share of opioid settlement funds to ensure the needed resources reach communities as quickly, effectively, and directly as possible; and
WHEREAS, it is advantageous to all North Carolinians for local governments, including Guilford County and its residents, to sign onto the settlements and SAAF-2 and demonstrate solidarity in response to the opioid overdose crisis, and to maximize the share of opioid settlement funds received both in the State and Guilford County to help abate the harm; and
WHEREAS, the SAAF-2 directs substantial resources over multiple years to local governments on the front lines of the opioid overdose epidemic while ensuring that these resources are used in an effective way to address the crisis;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners of Guilford County hereby authorizes the County Manager or his Designee to execute all documents necessary to enter into opioid settlement agreements with Kroger, to execute the SAAF-2, and to provide such documents to Rubris, the Implementation Administrator.
Adopted this the 18th day of July, 2024.
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REQUESTED ACTION
Requested Action
Adopt resolution authorizing County Manager or his designee to execute all documents necessary to enter into opiod settlement agreements with Kroger and to execute the SAFF-2; and take any other necessary actions to submit documents and receive funding if awarded.
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