FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 19, 2019
Contact: John Lyon 845-638-5645

CE Day Signs Resolution Authorizing Litigation Against
Manufacturers of Prescription Opiates

New City, NY – County Executive Ed Day signed a resolution approving an agreement with Branstetter, Stranch & Jennings, PLLC to take legal action against the manufacturers of prescription opiates that contributed to the opioid epidemic.

"We are moving forward with litigation against the pharmaceutical companies that made and sold prescription opioids that contributed to this epidemic of abuse. We expect these companies to pay for the damage, death and destruction their outrageous marketing strategies have brought to our communities," said County Executive Day. "The response to this epidemic has inherent costs that so far have been unfairly borne by our taxpayers. Costs to local law enforcement and first responders, for counseling and assistance to our residents facing this crisis in their families, and the treatment costs for those who are addicted."

2018 saw a total of 38 drug-related deaths occurred in Rockland County in 2018, down from 40 in 2017 and 2016.

Rockland has taken a comprehensive approach in dealing with the opioid epidemic, and this legal action is just the latest step. The Department of Mental Health has partnered with local law enforcement to host multiple Drug Take Back Days and Narcan Trainings.

"We in county government are doing everything we can think of to combat this crisis. Heroin and other drugs are stealing too many of our residents, particularly our young people," said Day.

In June of 2018, The Department of Mental Health and Department of Health teamed with hospitals and health organizations round the county to attempt to reduce the number of opioids being prescribed. Two letters were distributed to those who prescribe medications within the county.

The letters asked prescribers to do three things: educate themselves on the safe and effective treatment of pain, screen patients for opioid use disorder and connect them to treatment, and approach addiction as a chronic illness rather than a moral failing.

Rockland already has one of the lowest rates of Opioid Analgesic Prescribing (321.4 prescriptions per 1,000 residents) and our rate of opioid-related deaths is below the statewide average of 400.1 prescriptions per 1,000 residents.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that the total "economic burden" of prescription opioid misuse alone in the United States is $78.5 billion annually.

Not a cent of the cost for this legal action will come from the pockets of Rockland taxpayers. Costs will be paid from any settlement reached on the County's behalf, if there is one. If not, Rockland does not have to pay.

The headquarters of Branstetter, Stranch & Jennings, PLLC has been located in Nashville, Tennessee, since their founding in 1952. They maintain a nationwide trial practice and frequently handle class action lawsuits and other complex cases in federal courts throughout the U.S.

County Attorney Thomas Humbach said, "we are looking forward to working with counsel to recover for the harm to the County and its residents. Where the County establishes improper distribution and marketing of these highly addictive medicines, we want compensation for our harm. The evidence will tell who is responsible and how much will be due."

Medical Director of the Department of Mental Health, Dr. Susan Hoerter said, "the signing of this resolution is an important step in addressing the factors that contributed to the opioid epidemic. Rockland County has one of the lowest rates of opioid prescribing, and opioid related deaths in the region and we strive to further reduce these numbers as even one loss is too many. The Department of Mental Health holds drug take-back days and Narcan trainings and has partnered with both Nyack and Good Samaritan hospitals in a county-wide, multi-faceted approach to reduce the impact of the opioid epidemic on Rockland residents."

"This action will bring accountability to these companies and justice for the many victims of this crisis. That is why we are using the legal system to bring this deadly epidemic back to the corporations that started it, the pharmaceutical companies. It is time that they take responsibility for their actions," concluded County Executive Day.

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