Rochester, MN  (KROC AM News) - Since the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners decided in November to pursue an opioids-related lawsuit, other counties have done the same.

The list continues to grow as local governments find themselves dealing with what is being called an opioids crisis. The counties are seeking damages for costs associated with responding to the crisis in recent years. The crisis includes addiction-related problems and fatal overdoses. The federal lawsuit has been filed against pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors of opioid medications.

Olmsted County Attorney Mark Ostrem says, “We have struggled with the aftermath of the flood of opioids into the community. It’s time to sue the people that gave us the problem to begin with. “ Ostrem says the lawsuit is not targeting doctors or pharmacists.  He says the lawsuit accuses manufacturers of using deceptive marketing tactics to convince physicians that opioids are not addictive. 

We sat down with Mark to hear more about the problem and the county’s lawsuit.

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