Albertsons opioid settlement could send up to $57.8 million to Texas and its cities and counties

Texas and its cities and counties could receive up to $57.8 million from a settlement with grocery chain Albertsons over its role in the opioid crisis, Attorney General Ken Paxton's office announced Friday.

Texas was part of a coalition of states that reached the agreement. Once it becomes final, Albertsons would pay more than $773 million nationally, according to the attorney general's office. The settlement document spreads the company's payments over nine payment years.

Local governments have to opt in

The money is meant for opioid abatement, and statewide opioid settlement funds are overseen by the Texas Opioid Council, the office said.

Cities, counties and other political subdivisions affected by the opioid epidemic are being encouraged to sign on to the settlement. Those that join can receive direct payments as well as grant money for abatement work through the council, according to the announcement.

The office said local governments will get information about signing on from the National Opioid Settlement Administrator, and those with their own lawyers should contact them.

Part of a larger tally

National investigations and lawsuits over prescription opioids have produced more than $50 billion in settlements, according to the release. Paxton's office says it has now obtained more than $3.3 billion for Texas from drug manufacturers and other companies tied to the epidemic.

"This settlement is a major step forward in ensuring justice for the communities and families who have been devastated by the catastrophic opioid epidemic," Paxton said in the announcement. He said his office would keep pursuing pharmaceutical companies and others that endanger Texans' health.

The release did not say how much of the Texas share would go to the state and how much to local governments, or when the first payments would reach Texas.

Sources

texasattorneygeneral.gov

texasattorneygeneral.gov