By EMS1 Staff
MADISON, Wis. — More than one-third of all Wisconsin counties sued several drug makers and doctors for millions to recover the costs of the opioid epidemic.
Journal Sentinel reported that 28 counties filed separate lawsuits that seek millions of dollars to compensate for social services, law enforcement and emergency response to the opioid epidemic.
The lawsuits said the companies used deceptive marketing to create a public nuisance that misrepresents long-term opioid safety.
“County governments are bearing the brunt of the costs of this crisis,” lawyer Erin Dickinson said. “Defendants must be held responsible for the devastating effects their actions have produced on counties across this country.”
“Our law enforcement, human services and judicial systems are being stressed in the effort to effectively respond to and manage the damage caused by opioid abuse and addiction,” Oconto County Health and Human Services chairman Alan Sleeter said.