CHARLESTON – The Monongalia County town of Granville has joined in on suing the drug distributors it alleges fueled the state’s opioid epidemic.
Granville claims AmerisourceBergen Drug Co.; Cardinal Health Inc. and McKesson Corporation’s negligent/illegal, reckless and malicious actions flooded the state with highly addictive prescription medications without regard for the adverse consequences and public nuisance to the town and its residents.
Granville Mayor Patricia Lewis said the cost to the town has been substantial.
The suit is seeking damages for reimbursement for the town, including, but not limited to, increased expenses of drug abuse treatment program; prevention and training costs for law enforcement; hospitals and schools; costs of the drug Naloxone as well as education, training and use, medical care and hospitalizations; increased costs of law enforcement; and nuisance damage.
The lawsuit alleges that the town was flooded with opioid pain killers from 2007 until 2012.
Rusty Webb is representing Granville. He is also representing many other municipalities and counties that have filed lawsuits against the drug distributors.
The state settled its lawsuit with the distributors earlier this year for $47 million.