COLDWATER MI (WTVB) – The Branch County Board of Commissioners decided Tuesday to move forward and join with a law firm regarding ongoing opioid litigation.
The action comes after representatives from two law firms made presentations back in March.
The Commissioners voted 5-0 in favor of a motion made by Board Chair Ted Gordon.
A lawsuit has been filed on behalf of several Michigan cities and counties against 21 drug companies, distributors and pharmacies in an attempt get back the expenses that have been created by the opioid crisis of recent years.
During one presentation, it was pointed out by attorney Paul Novak that between 2004 and 2015, there were 13 opioid-related overdose deaths in Branch County. In addition, 6.8 percent of high school and 4.1 percent of middle school students have admitted to using opioids without a prescription.
In response to the litigation, Senior Vice President John Parker from the Healthcare Distribution Alliance recently said that those bringing lawsuits would be better served addressing the root causes of the crisis, rather than trying to redirect blame through litigation.
