MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW)- The City of Myrtle Beach will sue drug manufacturers for their role in the opioid epidemic.
The city will enter into a lawsuit represented by local firm Hearn and Hearn, who is affiliated with a national law firm. City leaders said this is another step in their fight against the growing opioid problem in our area.
“Trying to hold some of the drug manufactuers responsible for their role in this epidemic locally,” said Myrtle Beach city manager John Pederson.
Horry county also filed a lawsuit and is using the same attorney as the city of Myrtle Beach.
“This is not technically a class action suit although there are a number of other communities that have entered through similar lawsuits that have entered through the same firm,” said Pederson.
Horry County, had more opioid prescriptions than people in 2016, according to data from the CDC, with 110.7 prescriptions per 100 people. The national rate in the same year was 66.5.
City manager John Pederson said it would be years before the city could see a settlement from this lawsuit, but he said money isn’t why the city is suing.
“The important thing symbolically is that it puts attention on this issue. It’s something that obviously every community is really suffering from, and it’s something as a nation we’ve got to get on top of,” said Pederson.
The lawsuit comes at no cost to the city. They won’t have to pay attorneys unless there is a settlement.
A lawsuit has not been officially filed yet.
