The 13th Judicial District has filed a joint lawsuit against opioid manufacturers.
The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in Cumberland County Circuit Court by 19 counties in the 13th, 16th, 17th, 22nd, and 31st judicial districts.
The plaintiffs, which include District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway, said an influx of opioids into the counties has resulted in robust illegal trade, skyrocketing overdose rates, and growing financial burdens on police, schools, hospitals, doctors, and insurance companies.
The lawsuit seeks punitive damages against the defendants for their role in flooding the state with illegal opioids.
The 13th Judicial District represents Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Overton Pickett, Putnam and White counties.