City Council next week will consider adopting a resolution declaring the opioid crisis a public nuisance that must be abated. If adopted, the City of Danville will join other government agencies across the nation in suing drug manufacturers and wholesale distributors.
In addition, City Council will vote whether to retain attorney James C. Peterson of the law firm Hill, Peterson, Carper, Bee & Deitzler of Charleston, W.Va. He would serve as lead counsel in the litigation.
Peterson would team with additional counsel to assist in the prosecution of the case. The counsel would include the Yanceyville, N.C., law firm of Daniel Thomas Attorneys at Law and the Danville law firm of Williams, Morrison, Light & Moreau, which would be the City’s direct local representatives.
All cities and counties in Virginia pursuing opioid litigation have hired outside counsel.
City Council will consider the resolutions at its meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 18. The resolutions assert opioid abuse presents a serious public health threat in the city, including addiction and death.