PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City Council will consider joining a lawsuit against opioid wholesalers to recoup some of the cost the city has incurred combating the drug epidemic.
Cities and towns throughout the nation have already joined the effort to recoup some of the costs associated with a municipality's efforts to combat the crisis.
"This litigation is intended to address a significant problem in the city. The litigation focuses on the wholesale distributors and manufacturers of opioids and their role in the diversion of millions of prescription opiates into the illicit market which has resulted in opioid addiction, abuse, morbidity, and mortality. There is no easy solution and no precedent for such an action against this sector of the industry," reads a proposed agreement between the city and the law firm.
"Many of the facts of the case are locked behind closed doors. The billion-dollar industry denies liability. The litigation will be very expensive and the litigation expenses will be advanced by the firm with reimbursement contingent upon a successful recovery. The outcome is uncertain, as is all civil litigation, with compensation contingent upon a successful recovery."
The lawsuit claims that companies did not comply with federal regulations in regards to distribution of painkillers and flooded the market, fueling the epidemic.
Municipalities are often burdened with significant costs for such things as first responders responding to overdoses, police enforcement, rehabilitation, and in the school system. The firm believes some of the major manufacturers are responsible and should pay for the damage caused to cities and towns.
"The purpose of the lawsuit is to seek reimbursement of the costs incurred in the past fighting the opioid epidemic and/or recover the funds necessary to abate the health and safety crisis caused by the unlawful conduct of the wholesale distributors and manufacturers of opioids," the agreement reads.
The Pensacola, Fla., firm has already received much support in Massachusetts. The litigation may or may not end up with a payout.
The agreement is on the City Council's agenda for Tuesday.
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Toy Library Installed at Onota Lake
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Feel free to use or leave a toy at Onota Lake's newest infrastructure meant to foster community and benefit kids.
Burbank Park now has a toy library thanks to Wahconah Regional High School senior Alexandra Bills. Located along the wall at the beach area, the green and blue structure features two shelves with sand toys that can be used to enhance children's visits.
The Parks Commission supported Bills' proposal in February as part of her National Honors Society individual service project and it was installed this month. Measuring about 4 feet wide and 5.8 feet tall, it was built by the student and her father with donated materials from a local lumber company.
Friends and family members provided toys to fill the library such as pails, shovels, Frisbees, and trucks.
"I wanted to create a toy library like the other examples in Berkshire County from the sled library to the book libraries," she told the commission in February.
"But I wanted to make it toys for Onota Lake because a lot of kids forget their toys or some kids can't afford toys."
Bills lives nearby and will check on the library weekly — if not daily — to ensure the operation is running smoothly. A sign reading "Borrow-Play-Return" asks community members to clean up after themselves after using the toys.
It was built to accommodate children's heights and will be stored during the winter season.
Having fun on April vacation doesn't have to break the bank. From baby animals to recreational activities and crafts, there is an array of free or low-cost family events happening across the county this week. click for more
On Thursday, the panel approved a notice of intent application for the use of EarthTec QZ within a specified treatment area of the lake.
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