County to call opioid summit

Commissioners want input from the medical community on the rising risks of the painkillers they labeled a public nuisance.

The Floyd County Commission will likely join with Rome and other Georgia municipalities in a lawsuit against opioid manufacturers — after they’ve talked to local hospitals, physicians and pharmacists.

The board officially labeled the growing effects of overuse as a public nuisance Tuesday in a resolution that points the finger at pharmaceutical companies.

However, commissioners softened the language adopted by the city of Rome on Monday to say they may sue, instead of they shall sue. Commissioner Scotty Hancock asked for the change until the medical community can weigh in.

“I feel we need to bring these groups to the table and get feedback before we commit to a lawsuit,” he said.

Hancock, who works for Redmond Regional Medical Center, offered his comments as a personal opinion and added that he does support the action. The other four commissioners also said they want to get input from the local professionals.

Plans are to arrange a gathering before the board’s Feb. 13 meeting, where further action may be taken.

“We 100-percent agree it is a nuisance, and we need to do something about it,” Commission Chair Rhonda Wallace said.

The discussion followed a presentation from attorneys Bob Finnell and Andy Davis, who are putting together a case for a group of cities and counties in Georgia.

Commissioners closely questioned them about their intention toward

prescribers and were told the suit would be merged with others nationally to target about 50 of the top manufacturers.

Finnell likened it to the legal action against tobacco companies that resulted in a 1998 settlement involving 46 states including Georgia. He said neither the plaintiffs nor the defendants want other groups in the mix.

“You’ve got to understand how companies like that look at this kind of litigation,” Finnell said. “They want it contained, limited . ... They’re more concerned about their stock price over the long term.”

Davis said the suit would be structured like the case against online travel companies he spearheaded for Rome, Floyd County and other Georgia municipalities. The companies agreed in 2012 to pay the local hotel/motel taxes they had been avoiding.