The
Chickasaw Nation and the
Choctaw Nation are the latest to sue opioid manufacturers for the drug crisis in Indian Country.
The two tribes announced their lawsuits on Friday. They are accusing the drug companies of creating an "epidemic" in their communities by marking opioids to tribal citizens through deceptive means.
“The number of Native American deaths across the country that are being fueled by the opioid epidemic is staggering,” Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby said in a
press release. “Families are being torn apart and our children are being born addicted as a result. We will hold these companies accountable for the devastation they have caused our tribes."
“The members of the Choctaw Nation have suffered unimaginably, while these companies have made billions of dollars,” Choctaw Nation Chief Gary Batton said. “With these lawsuits, we look to recoup the damages the companies inflicted upon our tribes and end this scourge of death and addiction."
Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter (R), who is pursuing a similar lawsuit against drug manufacturers, said he supports the Chickasaw and Choctaw lawsuits. The complaints are proceeding in state court, rather than in the federal system, which is where most other tribes have filed their cases.
The manufacturers in fact had Hunter's suit moved to federal court in Ohio, where a slew of similar cases are pending. But a
judge granted a motion to transfer it back to state court.
Hunter, incidentally, is arguing against tribal sovereignty in
Carpenter v. Murphy, a closely-watched reservation boundary case that will be heard by the
U.S. Supreme Court in the fall. He contends the reservation of the
Muscogee (Creek) Nation has been disestablished by an act of Congress. An appeals court concluded otherwise but that
victory could be reversed thanks to the state.
Read More on the Story:
Okla. AG: State stands behind tribes’ lawsuits against opioid manufacturers
(KOCO August 3, 2018)
AG joins Chickasaw, Choctaw leaders to announce lawsuits
(The Ada News August 3, 2018)
Oklahoma lawsuit against opioid makers back in state court
(The Associated Press August 3, 2018)
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