City Of Prescott Sues Pharmaceutical Companies Over The Opioid Crisis

The City of Prescott has filed a lawsuit against pharmaceutical and distributor companies in regards to the opioid crisis. The suit comes after months of debate by the Prescott City Council on whether or not to go after the companies for the harm the opioid crisis has done on the city. Council voted unanimously in February to go ahead with the lawsuit, which was filed to the Yavapai County Superior Court Tuesday. The suit lists more than a dozen companies. The suit claims 431-million opioid pills were prescribed in 2016, or enough for every Arizonan to have a two-and-a-half week supply. The city claims it has suffered “irreparable damage to its reputation” because of the companies. They say Prescott has become a destination city for sober living homes and addiction rehab treatment centers, which wouldn’t exist were it not for the opioid epidemic. The suit also claims companies use deceptive marketing schemes, improper distribution and improper prescribing of opioids. There’s no word on when, or if, the suit will be tried.