TO: Mayor and Members of City Council
THRU: Type here
FROM: Karen McDonald, City Attorney
DATE: February 12, 2018
RE:
Title
Adopt a Resolution Supporting a Civil Action on Those Legally Responsible for the Wrongful Distribution of Prescription Opiates
end
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S):
Council District(s)
ALL
b
Relationship To Strategic Plan:
Goal I: Safe and Secure Community
Executive Summary:
Opioid abuse has become a public nuisance and burden to the City's taxpayers and City resources. Cities and Counties across North Carolina are initiating litigation against the manufacturers and distributors of opioids to recover costs associated with this crisis.
Background:
According to a 2016 study, Fayetteville ranked 18th in the country in opioid abuse. As a result of the high rate of abuse, all patrol officers of the Police Department have been trained and equipped with the overdose reducing drug--naloxone. In 2017, officers used naloxone 132 times on 118 people. Additionally, in November of 2017 there were 39 drug overdoses compared to 19 the previous year. Opioid abuse is a public nuisance and burden on the taxpayers of the City.
The City was contacted by two local attorneys regarding initiating litigation against the manufactures and wholesale distributors of opioids in our area. The local attorneys have joined with a consortium of attorneys across the country to pursue civil remedies against these parties to potentially recover the costs associated with addressing opioid abuse.
Issues/Analysis:
No known issues.
Budget Impact:
There is no cost to the City for this litigation. The attorneys cover all costs and expenses associated with the litigation and will only be compensated if there is a settlement or court award. It is expected that there may be some staff time needed to gather specific information necessary for the lawsuit.
Options:
1. Adopt the resolution declaring opioid abuse as a public nuisance.
2. Do not adopt t...
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