Supermarket chain Kroger has finalized a nearly $1.4 billion agreement to settle the majority of the claims made by states, counties and Native American tribes that accused the company of helping fuel the opioid epidemic.  Payments are expected to begin early next year. The amount includes up to $1.2 billion for state and local governments where it operates, $36 million to Native American tribes and about $177 million to cover lawyers’ fees and costs.   The agreement in principle was first announced last fall, and a coalition of 30 bipartisan attorneys general said their states had signed on.  Kroger is one of the country’s largest grocery chains, operating stores in 35 states.   "The finalization of this settlement, originally reached in September 2023, will deliver over $1.2 billion in support of opioid abatement efforts nationwide while resolving nearly all the outstanding opioid-related claims against the company,” a Kroger spokesperson said in a statement.   The company previously said the settlement is not an admission of wrongdoing or liability  In addition to the monetary payments, Kroger has agreed to injunctive relief that requires its pharmacies to monitor, report, and share data about suspicious activity related to opioid prescriptions.  Lawyers representing the plaintiffs said the settlement “marks another significant step in holding each company involved in the opioid epidemic accountable and ensuring essential resources are delivered to communities across the country.”  There have been thousands of lawsuits filed against drug distributors, pharmacies and wholesalers for contributing to the opioid crisis. Over the past eight years, communities have settled for more than $50 billion.