Mecklenburg County Files Lawsuit Against Opioid Manufacturers

CHARLOTTE, NC — Mecklenburg County has joined the growing list of counties to file a lawsuit against opioid manufacturers in an effort to curb the epidemic that’s gripping the country.

The 88 page lawsuit lays out multiple allegations against the manufacturers, including looking the other way on suspicious prescription orders and sponsoring pro-opioid continuing education classes for doctors in Mecklenburg County.

Read the entire lawsuit here: Mecklenburg County V Purdue Pharma Et Al

According to the lawsuit, deaths caused by opioid overdoses more than doubled from 26 in 2005 to 61 in 2015. That number nearly doubled again in 2016 when it rose to 112. Emergency rooms in Mecklenburg County have also seen a sharp increase in opioid overdose patients.

Officials say taxpayer money is not being used for the lawsuit. Attorneys will be paid from any damages the county receives. The rest of the money will be used for treatment programs, rehab, and education.