Poughkeepsie Sues Opioid Manufacturers, Distributors

Over 142 Americans die each day from a drug overdose, one local city is trying to do something to stop it.

On Tuesday it was announced the City of Poughkeepsie filed a lawsuit against opioid manufacturers and distributors, accusing the defendants of waging a deceptive marketing campaign designed to intentionally mislead doctors and the public about the dangers of highly addictive drugs.

“The opioid crisis must be dealt with squarely,” City of Poughkeepsie Mayor Rob Rolison said. “The City of Poughkeepsie refuses to sit idly by while people are suffering, and we believe these specific pharmaceutical companies and their distributors are a big part of the problem.”

The city is seeking compensatory and punitive damages for the money it spends each year to fight the public nuisance created by these practices, officials say. The lawsuit was filed in Dutchess County Supreme Court.

The city believes the defendants must be held accountable for the millions of dollars of costs related to opioid addiction and abuse, including health care, criminal justice and victimization and lost productivity.

Around 142 Americans die every day from a drug overdose, according to the CDC.

City of Poughkeepsie officials alleges, through their marketing ploys, the defendants have created a false perception in the minds of physicians, patients and others involved in the health care system that it is safe to use opioids to treat chronic pain.

To read more about the case CLICK HERE

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