The City of Twin Falls is joining a national lawsuit against opioid manufacturers, following an overwhelming vote by the city council Monday night.
Twin Falls is now among 1,500 other cities, counties and states across the country suing opioid manufacturers and distributors for their impact on their residents. Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden filed a similar suit against OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma earlier this year.
The city’s hope is that this joint lawsuit will reduce the availability and over-prescription of opioids, according to their resolution passed Monday. Twin Falls Mayor Shawn Barigar also hopes that the process of suing will create a larger social impact.
“What I hope really comes out of this is that there is a greater public awareness and publicity about the actions of these companies to help society hold someone to account and find ways to help prevent these abuses,” Barigar says.
The crisis has put a noticeable strain on the city’s emergency services, hospitals and treatment services, the city council resolution states. While financial restitution is not a main priority of Mayor Barigar, it could help offset some of these costs of the crisis in Twin Falls.
The trial will begin in October.
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