More West Virginia towns, counties sue over opioid crisis

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Eleven local West Virginia governments are suing drug companies who they say failed to follow state and federal law to prevent the distribution and abuse of prescription pain medication that's created the state's opioid crisis.

The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports the lawsuits filed in the federal court this week come from governments around the state. The municipalities include Quinwood, Rupert, Rainelle, Milton, Smithers, Sutton, Logan, Summersville and Parkersburg, in addition to Nicholas and Braxton counties.

Numerous counties have also sued pharmaceutical companies, drugstores and the West Virginia Board of Pharmacy over the state's opioid crisis. The Exponent Telegram reports that Barbour and Taylor counties filed lawsuits Tuesday seeking restraining orders to curb practices they say are fueling the crisis, restitution, punitive damages and an insurance award from the Board of Pharmacy.

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