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The city of South Bend announced it will join dozens of other cities across the country and file a federal lawsuit against opioid manufacturers and distributors alleging misinformation about the effects of opioids.
Mayor Pete Buttigieg said during a press conference that the lawsuit sends a simple message; someone needs to be held accountable for the damage opioids have caused to the city and residents of South Bend. He said the city is looking for financial restitution due to increased costs necessary to help deal with the opioid crisis.
Buttigieg said the lawsuit will help establish precedent for similar crises in the future and set standards for companies dealing with dangerous products. Any money received from the suit would benefit addiction recovery services.
“It’s about making sure we get to the bottom of what happened through the justice system, through the courts, to hold anyone accountable who did any wrongdoing,” the Mayor said.
Marshall and LaPorte Counties have already filed lawsuits against national pharmaceutical companies. St. Joseph County also plans to file suit.
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