Paradise Valley approves effort to get another opioid settlement distribution

The opioid epidemic has led to national litigation against certain members of the prescription opioid supply chain, including manufacturers and distributors. This litigation has resulted in a series of national settlements distributed to counties, cities and towns, including Paradise Valley.

Paradise Valley Town Council approved on June 27 the Kroger Settlement Agreement and authorized the mayor or town manager to complete and execute a subdivision participation and release form.

By executing this, the town will forever waive any and all claims against Kroger related to its role in the opioid epidemic. In exchange, the Town will receive a share of settlement payments.

It is too soon to know the exact level of funding Paradise Valley will receive because the final numbers will depend on the level of participation by political subdivisions, according to a staff report. The town’s share has been set at 0.34% of funds distributed to Maricopa County local governments.

Arizona has reported a 100% municipal participation rate in previous settlements. The Kroger Settlement contemplates roughly $1.2 billion for participating states and local political subdivisions to use for remediation and abatement of the impacts of the opioid crisis.

This settlement will require Kroger to implement safeguards to prevent future diversion of prescription opioids.