FARGO (KFGO) – A federal lawsuit says pharmaceutical companies have been “fueling the flood” of opioids coming into the city of Fargo.
The claim is made in a civil lawsuit that Fargo has filed against Purdue Pharma and several other drug companies. The 162-page complaint says Fargo is suffering from “significant financial consequences” resulting from opioid addiction.
The city also claims that Fargo experienced a 3% increase in crime, primarily in burglaries and thefts, which Police Chief Dave Todd attributes to “rampant drug use and addiction.”
The lawsuit seeks an unspecified amount of damages, the establishment of an abatement fund, plus related medical and law enforcement costs. Fargo is among several cities, counties and states which have filed similar lawsuits across the country.
Purdue says on its website “we recognize that the crisis is complex, and involves not only addiction to opioids, but also opioid abuse and misuse, which could lead to overdose and death.”
The city has hired the Andrus Anderson law firm of San Francisco. The firm specializes in pharmaceutical cases, antitrust, class actions and consumer protection.