Bossier City joins opioid litigation against pharmaceutical giant Purdue Pharma

The Bossier City Council adopted a resolution joining Louisiana’s ongoing lawsuit against opioid drug producer Purdue Pharma at the Council’s Tuesday meeting.

The resolution says “almost all” of the city’s settlement portion would be used to “resolve the opioid epidemic.”

The settlement amount would be reduced if a city chooses not to participate in the litigation, which would affect every community in the state.

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In September, members of the Sackler family won immunity from lawsuits linked to their privately owned company and its pain medication, Oxycontin, which is at the heart of the opioid epidemic.

Federal Judge Robert Drain, approved the complex bankruptcy settlement that included granting the Sacklers and their associates releases from liability. In turn, they agree to pay $4.3 billion in settlement money and forfeit ownership of Purdue.

States are now determining what their cut of the settlement will be.

Kendrick Dante writes for the USA Today Network and is a government watchdog reporter in Shreveport, Louisiana. He enjoys cooking, concerts, and content. Email him at kdbrown1@gannett.com or connect on Twitter @kendrickdante.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Bossier City joins opioid litigation against Pharma Purdue