As the death toll from the opioid epidemic continues to rise, Phoenix could sue those it believes responsible — the pharmaceutical industry. The City Council will consider the move later this month.
With thousands of overdoses and hundreds of deaths, the opioid epidemic continues to take its toll on Arizona.
That’s led City Council Members Debra Stark, Thelda Williams and Mayor Greg Stanton to call for possible legal action against the manufacturers and distributors of opioids for fraudulent marketing that minimized the dangers of opioids.
Stanton says it’s straining city resources and the pharmaceutical companies need to be held responsible.
“It’s cost the city of Phoenix, tremendous amount of resources, jail costs which are very, very expensive etc., and I think Phoenix really needs to step up and do the right thing to support these families that have been devastated by opioid addiction," he said.
Along with being reimbursed for unnecessary costs, the city would also seek money to cover the cost of treating people who are addicted. Phoenix would be among a handful of cities that have taken similar actions including Seattle and Indianapolis.
