Kroger Health reports that more than 250,000 students have completed its prescription drug safety education program since the initiative launched in 2018.
The program, titled “Prescription Drug Safety: Know the Truth,” is made available at no cost to participating middle and high schools through Kroger Health’s strategic collaboration with Everfi, a digital education platform focused on personal finance and essential life skills.
The curriculum teaches students about the science behind addiction, the dangers of prescription drug misuse and the importance of proper medication storage and disposal.
“By equipping students with the knowledge and skills they can use to make better, healthier decisions, we’re building stronger, more resilient communities,” said Colleen Lindholz, president of Kroger Health.
“Kroger Health is proud to play a part in helping young people recognize the warning signs of drug abuse and misuse and shaping a brighter future for generations to come.”
The program has grown substantially since its inception. In January 2025, Kroger Health announced expansion to more than 470 schools, having reached more than 170,000 students at that time.
One year later, participation has increased to more than 250,000 students, about 80,000 of whom completed the program over the past 12 months.
Digital platform enables scale
The partnership with Everfi enables Kroger Health to deliver the curriculum through digital and offline resources at no cost to schools.
The platform’s third-party payer model allows companies like Kroger to fund educational programs that schools can access without budget constraints.
“Kroger Health’s dedication to prescription drug safety education demonstrates the powerful impact that’s possible when businesses invest in their communities,” said Ray Martinez, CEO of Everfi.
“Reaching 250,000 students is a significant milestone, and we’re proud to work with Kroger Health in equipping young people with the critical knowledge they need to make informed decisions about prescription medications.”
Broader healthcare strategy
Kroger Health operates more than 2,200 pharmacies across 35 states and The Little Clinic, which offers telehealth services in nine states and more than 220 in-person clinics in eight states.
The healthcare division serves more than 17 million patients annually through its network of 23,000 healthcare practitioners, including pharmacists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, registered dietitians and technicians.
The division emphasizes a “food as medicine” philosophy aimed at preventing disease before it starts.
Parent company Cincinnati-based The Kroger Co. operates across a family of banners with more than 400,000 employees serving more than 11 million customers daily through e-commerce and retail food stores.
The company’s broader Zero Hunger Zero Waste initiative addresses food insecurity and sustainability across communities where it operates.
Schools interested in the program can learn more at krogerhealth.everfi.com. Kroger Health has not shared plans for expansion of the curriculum beyond the current 470-school network.
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