Humboldt County Files Lawsuit Against Distributors and Manufacturers of Opioids

Hydrocodone Opioids

[By Rotellam1 – via WikiCommons]

Press release from Humboldt County:

In the face of the worst man-made epidemic in modern medical history, known as the opioid crisis, the County of Humboldt this week filed a federal lawsuit against the largest manufacturers and primary distributors of prescription opioids in the United States.

The reckless promotion and distribution of potent opioids for chronic pain, while deliberately downplaying the significant risks of addiction and overdose, has led to unprecedented levels of opioid-related overdoses in Humboldt County, forever changing the lives of so many local families.

Opioid-related overdoses are now the leading cause of accidental death in the United State, surpassing even fatal car accidents. Since 2000, more than 300,000 people have died from opioid overdoses. Humboldt County has the second-highest fatal overdose rate in California, a rate that is five times the national average.

Prescription opioids are a class of powerful pain relievers, including oxycodone and hydrocodone. The chemical make-up of these prescription drugs is nearly identical to heroin.

Since 1995 when OxyContin was approved by the Food and Drug Administration and aggressively marketed to healthcare professionals, the sales of opioids has skyrocketed and pharmaceutical companies that manufacture these drugs have recorded massive profits. In Humboldt County opioid prescriptions outnumber people. In 2016 there were 156,444 opioid prescriptions, or more than 114 prescriptions per 100 residents.

As is true around the country, the rise in prescription opioids in Humboldt was followed closely by a dramatic rise in heroin use. Once patients can no longer obtain prescription opioids, many turn to heroin.

In years past, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office captured one or two pounds of heroin in a big year. In 2017 alone, the Sheriff’s Office confiscated 10 pounds and is well on pace to surpass that amount in 2018.

The complaint alleges that the defendants violated California’s Unfair Competition Law and the federal RICO statute, and that their conduct constitutes public nuisance, negligence, gross negligence, and unjust enrichment under California law.

Humboldt County retained Keller Rohrback as outside counsel on a contingency-fee basis. The law firm has already filed numerous opioid cases on behalf of public agencies in Washington, Idaho and Arizona. In addition, other municipalities around the country have filed more than 1,000 similar lawsuits seeking to hold manufacturers and distributors liable for the harms they have inflicted on communities.

***

Read the complaint

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79 Comments
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Oblivious
Guest
Oblivious
5 years ago

I thought we were giving them sanctuary.

local observer
Guest
local observer
5 years ago

doesn’t this directly contradict what Billy said in Idaho that weed is the source of the problem. maybe better coordination next time. I am pretty sure low income has already been determined to be the source.

Pat
Guest
Pat
5 years ago
Reply to  local observer

This lawsuit will not work, they tried it with gun manufacturers saying they were responsibly for shooting deaths, the high court ruled that premise is invalid.

The Citizen
Guest
The Citizen
5 years ago
Reply to  local observer

If you couuld only see that opiates are classless drugs, and have absolutley nothing to do with income levels, quality of life or the help we offer the addicted population. Just because you see homeless using, or do you?
Doesnt mean the lawyer , cop , or judge, down the road from you hasnt fought , or isnt currently addicted to some form of opiate.
How about we line you up a bed, shoot you full of morphine for week or two, make you pay for it, then kick you out with no aftercare. Have fun!

Stormy
Guest
Stormy
5 years ago

More victim society nonsense. Drug users CHOOSE to use. Blaming big pharma is the easy way out. How about, people STOP ABUSING DRUGS. The left is all about blame and lawsuits. We need to put blame where it belongs, on the USER. Ruining your own life is a CHOICE.

Seamus
Guest
Seamus
5 years ago
Reply to  Stormy

It seems that all of the people who were legally prescribed pain relievers for pain, in dosages recommended by doctors, who then found themselves hopelessly addicted, have had their lives ruined not by their CHOICE, but by prescribing doctors and pharmaceutical companies. Hence this lawsuit. MAGA

Lori
Guest
Lori
5 years ago
Reply to  Seamus

Cannabis kills Tumor cells:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...

Cannabis Cures Colorectal Cancer:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...

Cannabis Cures Uterine, Testicular, and Pancreatic Cancers:
http://www.cancer.gov...

Cannabis-derived substances in cancer therapy and anti-tumour properties:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...

Cannabis Cures Brain Cancer:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.plosone.org...
cancerres.aacrjournals.org…

Cannabis Cures Mouth and Throat Cancer:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...

Cannabis Cures Breast Cancer:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...

Cannabis Cures Lung Cancer:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...

Cannabis Cures Prostate Cancer:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...

Cannabis Cures Blood Cancer:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...

Cannabis Cures Skin Cancer:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...

Cannabis Cures Liver Cancer:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...

Cannabis Cures Cancer in General:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...

Cannabinoids in intestinal inflammation and cancer: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19442536?itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum&ordinalpos=22

Cannabis use and cancer of the head and neck: Case-control study: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2277494

Cannabis THC at high doses in area, inhibits cholangiocarcinoma cancer: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19916793?itool=Email.EmailReport.Pubmed_ReportSelector.Pubmed_RVDocSum&ordinalpos=6

Targeting CB2 cannabinoid receptors as a novel therapy to treat malignant lymphoblastic disease
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...

Marijuana kills cancer cells:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
cancer.gov…

Cannabis Treatment in Leukemia:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...

Cannabinoids and the immune system:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...

Cannabis partially/fully induced cell death in Cancer:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...

NCBI is a search engine for scientific and medical journals. If you open the links you will see that the information comes from many different sources.

Taurusballzhoff
Guest
Taurusballzhoff
5 years ago
Reply to  Lori

I heartily endorse your reading these studies.

If you do, you will learn that they contain few conclusions, or much evidence of anything at all…

Medicines are substances, found in studies to be effective for some purpose or condition.

Cannabis has not been found to be conclusively effective for much of anything at all.

The best thing we can say, is, we need more study by educated persons who understand what they are doing, and much less discussion and conjecture by persons who are convinced that their opinions make something correct.

Guest
Guest
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  Lori

Something about the NCIB. It is a subdivision of the NHI which offers grants for researchers, funded by the government. The NHI gathers data from Journals all over the world and houses them so that they can be read by anyone.

They do not do much “quality” control, store very questionable research from highly questionable journals and waste a lot of money. Their goal is based on the idea that any research, if it meets their superficial standards, could be useful. I have no problem with that. But it means their library contains much good science, a fair amount of useless science and some horribly bad science. Although it is good to have research online, it needs a very knowledgeable and critical eye to know which of these things it is. If you read the site much, you will find their exhortations for their grantees to stop publishing in questionable, non examining journalswhich apparently exist to publish studies no reputable journal will take.

You can find studies there about almost anything, including distilled water, that kills cancer cells.

Taurusballzhoff
Guest
Taurusballzhoff
5 years ago
Reply to  Guest

Thank you for a level perspective.

Many studies show nothing, and the primary results are: we need more studies…

Responsible parents do not use Cannabis, and, would never give Cannabis or Cannabis Products to their children.

Thanks again!

Tamera Clary
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  Seamus

That is ridiculous! I have been subscribed pain medication many of times and I don’t have a problem. That is a bullshit excuse.
It’s time people take responsibility for their actions.

Don't Drink While Pregnant
Guest
Don't Drink While Pregnant
5 years ago
Reply to  Seamus

well actually, that has been part of the problem. Doctors were writing prescriptions for more potent medications at higher doses and higher frequency than they used to. People could take the medication exactly as prescribed and still end up addicted to it.

Heck, I’ve had to reduce my dose to 1/3 of what the doctor prescribed after surgery. I’ve had to tell them I only need ten vicodin instead of 40. I had my tonsils out a few years ago and they gave me Fentanyl during the surgery – a drug that used to only be used for people dying of cancer and in extreme pain. Now everybody’s getting the most potent drugs available in the hospital and ending up hooked.

Jane Doe
Guest
Jane Doe
5 years ago
Reply to  Stormy

Yup. I take hydrocodone only when I’m in some serious pain. There are those of us who are allergic to aspirin, ibuprofen, Nsaids. I go into anaphylaxis. So for me I’m limited to what I can take. Opium has been around for thousands of years all of a sudden it’s become a target. I agree, the ‘addiction’ is not the substance it’s about the user. Anyway a new business venture for the black market, poppies.

Dawn
Guest
Dawn
5 years ago
Reply to  Stormy

I wholeheartedly agree! Don’t want to get addicted, don’t overuse!

The Citizen
Guest
The Citizen
5 years ago
Reply to  Stormy

And same coment to you. Wow, we have some ignorant folks around.. please tell me theses are highschool or middle school comments. Id be ashamed if my parents or community elders were this naive… no wonder we’re in a crisis!!

groba dude trustafarian osnt
Guest
groba dude trustafarian osnt
5 years ago

AND: Marijuana is the main gateway drug. One day you are smoking pot, the next day you are trying Heroin. Or going to the Doctor to get some Oxycodone.

Drugs are for losers, and Pot is the most common first step towards the slippery slope.

Dan F
Guest
Dan F
5 years ago

You DO realize that theory has been BUSTED for YEARS don’t you???!!!!!

hmm
Guest
hmm
5 years ago

How are you able to post from the 1980’s?

groba dude trustafarian osnt
Guest
groba dude trustafarian osnt
5 years ago
Reply to  hmm

Well, it’s certainly possible that YOU didn’t become a junkie! Honestly, everyone knows that only about 95% of all Marijuana Addicts eventually do other drugs and have risky sex with each other until they get Gonorrhea, Syphylis, AIDS and Chlamydia. Also, those damn potheads almost all turn into rapists and child molesters, and many of them murder other folks to get money so they can buy Cocaine, Methamphetamine, and Whippits for their reefer parties… Not to mention the Grey Goose and Corona and the Marlboros… Thus explains Humboldt County…

Smoke dope today, shoot it up tomorrow! Guaranteed!

Dopers never win, they just do more dope!

Zippy
Guest
Zippy
5 years ago

Everybody who is addicted to opium and beer started out breathing air. Air is the gateway drug. Air and water. And mother’s milk.

Taurusballzhoff
Guest
Taurusballzhoff
5 years ago
Reply to  Zippy

Well, Zippy, your assertion is only slightly more absurd than Humboldt County suing Opioid manufacturers for causing drug addiction…

Taurusballzhoff
Guest
Taurusballzhoff
5 years ago

Opioid manufacturers make billions off weak-minded people who think Doctors can prescribe “magic pills” that will cure their problems… I think the Opiate Manufacturers can afford to hire some badass lawyers to defend their products.

And, since when has it become the fashionable thing to do, getting in between patients and Doctors? If you could see the documentation and massive time investment involved in Physicians prescribing Opioids, Benzodiazepines, and other schedule II and III drugs, you would ask yourself “why the heck would anyone want to practice medicine”?

The huge waste of healthcare dollars involved in dealing with addicts and pain patients in the ER, and in Clinics everywhere, is the main reason that YOU can’t find a Doctor in the more remote areas, and the main reason that companies like Adventist Health and Sutter Health have invested big in operating in remote communities…

Guess what else? Folks are looking to make big money by fighting the “Opioid Epidemic”. This isn’t really about saving you from yourself…

Many, many physicians refuse to get involved with “pain management”, but many “specialists” have popped up to “treat sufferers”. It is quite an interesting phenomenon, and as American as Hot Dogs…

AND, who else is making billions? Cannabis producers.

Just wait until Cannabis becomes the focus of class-action suits, since Marijuana causes most common drug addiction…

Guest
Guest
Guest
5 years ago

Well, hell!! It worked for tobacco but I thought they would work on alcohol next as a proven poison. But if opioids are next, we will see if the lawsuits work. Every company that has ever produced a substance that can be abused, 1) has lied to us about its potential for abuse and 2) claims that individuals have to control it themselves. Same old bullshit, different day. I am sure someone out there still owns a Pinto and is driving an Explorer with Firestone tires. l wish you all the best.

Not insecure Dontblameothers
Guest
Not insecure Dontblameothers
5 years ago

This explains any town drugs are not ours exclusively sounds like you need new friends and to mosey on out of our great little town. You seem to know all about the heavier drug scene…hummmmmmm. sorry u had all those scary bad sex experiences. And dont know any pothead rapist, new friends is what you need or you like it.

Unapologetic!
Guest
Unapologetic!
5 years ago
Reply to  hmm

Hmm you have me roof!

The Citizen
Guest
The Citizen
5 years ago
Reply to  hmm

Love it!
We do live in an 80s era with all these comments.

Connie Dobbs
Guest
Connie Dobbs
5 years ago

Good thing I don’t have health insurance.

I like stars too!
Guest
I like stars too!
5 years ago
Reply to  Connie Dobbs

Hmmm, I think Medi-Cal actually IS health insurance…

Dan F
Guest
Dan F
5 years ago

Connie is a Troll escaped from LoCO’s T-Dome, to make our lives miserable over here as well!!!

Connie Dobbs
Guest
Connie Dobbs
5 years ago
Reply to  Dan F

I’m responsible for your miserable life, now.

THC
Guest
THC
5 years ago
Reply to  Dan F

So says the biggest troll of this website LMFAO. Dan

Connie Dobbs
Guest
Connie Dobbs
5 years ago

I’m too wealthy for Medi-Cal, and the monthly premium for the bronze plan is more than my mortgage and car payment combined. I just pay the fine for being poor every year. Nice country you’re running, here.

I like stars too!
Guest
I like stars too!
5 years ago
Reply to  Connie Dobbs

Just wait until you are on Medicare and Social Insecurity, if you think being poor sucks. I am planning to work until I just fall down dead…

BTW, I have the “Aluminum Foil” plan!

Connie Dobbs
Guest
Connie Dobbs
5 years ago

When I need doctoring, I pay the doctor. I haven’t had $5k in medical expenses in a year yet, so I’m in the same sitch I’d be in if I paid premiums. Fun fact: most doctors charge cash patients less.

Taurusballzhoff
Guest
Taurusballzhoff
5 years ago
Reply to  Connie Dobbs

Interesting how folks who have to pay for their own care consume very little!

Most Physicians and medical facilities give a cash discount. Negotiate up front!

THC
Guest
THC
5 years ago
Reply to  Connie Dobbs

Me and my wife were talking about that the other day. I added up the premiums I would have spent if I had gotten health insurance at the age of 25, by now I would have spent over $70,000 in premiums alone, so far in that time span I’ve spent less than $4,000 at the hospital.

Guest
Guest
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  Connie Dobbs

I didn’t think anyone was too wealthy for Medical anymore. Nor that once the tax credits were applied that Obamacare was that expensive, being capped at 10% of earnings at earning $50,000 per year. BTW you are equally “running the country” .

Connie Dobbs
Guest
Connie Dobbs
5 years ago
Reply to  Guest

Surprise!

RedWoods
Guest
RedWoods
5 years ago

What a dumb misguided attempt to extort money from drug companies. No wonder we have such high costs for drugs & medical care. Whats next the insurance companies that pay for the drugs?

Maybe we should take all these addicted victims & take them someplace & force them to give up the drugs!

Stormy got it. “More victim society nonsense”

When will this endless liberal insanity end?

rollin21
Guest
rollin21
5 years ago
Reply to  RedWoods

Spot on. Why don’t the libs blame the FDA/GOVERNMENT who is “there to protect them” from harmful drugs.

Lefty 4 life
Guest
Lefty 4 life
5 years ago

Another example of a losing lawsuit filed to show the county is “doing something”. The dollars spent on this would be better spent for treatment & housing. Humboldt county supervisors are demonstrably the most inept in the state.

Dan F
Guest
Dan F
5 years ago
Reply to  Lefty 4 life

Agreed 250%!!!

Miles Fromhoneydew
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  Lefty 4 life

“Humboldt County retained Keller Rohrback as outside counsel on a contingency-fee basis”

Guest
Guest
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  Lefty 4 life

In this case, you can’t even lead the horse to water, much less force him to drink. People like their addictions until they get scared that their addictions are going to kill them now.

Don't Drink While Pregnant
Guest
Don't Drink While Pregnant
5 years ago
Reply to  Lefty 4 life

the goal is to get the companies to offer a large financial settlement without actually admitting liability. that money can then be used to fund treatment programs.

Guest
Guest
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  Lefty 4 life

What part of “contingency” don’t you understand?

My Favorite Song
Guest
My Favorite Song
5 years ago

Oxycoton by Lil Wyte

George
Guest
George
5 years ago

I’d love to see the Sackler family be shamed & go bankrupt. I’d also love to see the prestigious Universities which have named buildings after the Sackler family as a quid pro quo for the dirty donations from Oxyconyin profits feel compelled to pull those name plates down. Thirdly, I’d like to see a lawsuit against the FDA official who was bought off.

fuckwalterwhite.com
Guest
fuckwalterwhite.com
5 years ago

It can’t happen. That would open the door for massive class-action suits. Millions of them. Jails are full of junkies that could likely show a prescription.

Then the 215 Drs could get sued,too,when everyone has lung damage from years of “medical” weed.

Dawn
Guest
Dawn
5 years ago

Baloney

fuckwalterwhite.com
Guest
fuckwalterwhite.com
5 years ago
Reply to  Dawn

What? The idea of smoking medicine?
Or that big-time lawyers and political lobbyists will prevent any major payouts to the masses?

“Send a salami to the boy in the army”

Nathan Rex
Guest
Nathan Rex
5 years ago

How much will this cost the county Kim?

Don't Drink While Pregnant
Guest
Don't Drink While Pregnant
5 years ago
Reply to  Nathan Rex

con·tin·gen·cy fee
noun
a sum of money that a lawyer receives as a fee only if the case is won.

Eloa lodges
Guest
Eloa lodges
5 years ago

Its about fucking time! I lived in humboldt all my life they gave me vics worked my way on up to methadone stungout on the streets,had to move a way to get strait,came back had to move again.I got ruffly 10 years clean. Fuck that county way to easy to lose it again there.sad depressing,doctors to eger to pass them out,even if they dont pills are on every street ,way to easy to get.so I stay away,I stay clean,I stay alive to raise my kids & live out my live the right way! HAPPY!

Central HumCo
Guest
5 years ago

Problem, reaction, $olution.

Shadow
Guest
Shadow
5 years ago

I’ve been taking Norco for over ten years and I’m not addicted I go to work everyday. I also get x-rays and MRIs on my back and see my doctor evey 2 months. People over use and the one that need it can hardly get it. I get 28 a month and I hear people getting 120 a month saying they’re in pain but aren’t in any pain.

Lefty 4 life
Guest
Lefty 4 life
5 years ago
Reply to  Shadow

Reliable statistics agree with you.

Mike santos
Guest
5 years ago

If you BELIEVE smoking weed has anything to do with
Opium you are as stupid as it gets
I have been smoking for thirty plus years
Never wrecked my car
Never got a driving under influence
Dont drink alcohol
Dont do pills
Dont smoke crack
Dont slam heroine
GATEWAY TO WHAT
calm relaxed day

I like stars too!
Guest
I like stars too!
5 years ago

It takes real guts to stay clean and sober in an environment full of users. Hang in there, and do not feel that you are the only one who has dedicated their life to living without drugs, tobacco, alcohol.

Sobriety takes the rest of your life. Own the beauty of your existence and keep moving forward!

fuckwalterwhite.com
Guest
fuckwalterwhite.com
5 years ago

Yes,it can seem like you’re the only one around here. Vape pens in the gym,weed infused everything,breweries on every corner,sponsors are always booze/weed.
Imagine being a child here.

Guest
Guest
Guest
5 years ago

I admit it tends to limit adolescent partying opportunities. But not enjoying companions who are actually interested in doing something. From auto racing through gardening to spinning wool, there are groups that form over common interests.

Dede
Guest
Dede
5 years ago

With the stats they have, shouldn’t the doctors be held accountable instead of the companies that are supplying a product? Supply and demand? If the doctors stopped prescribing, the manufacturers will reduce output of product. Just saying…………………..

fuckwalterwhite.com
Guest
fuckwalterwhite.com
5 years ago
Reply to  Dede

“….Once patients can no longer obtain prescription opioids, many turn to heroin.”

They probably should be investigated. I have had local docs insist that I or my family leave the office with unwanted prescriptions.
Even prescribed 100 ct vicodins for dental fillings,then offered refills. Geez. Didn’t use 1.

THC
Guest
THC
5 years ago

Damn big Pharma, they’re poisoning everybody with their damn opiates. Now make sure you go down to the clinic and get your yearly vaccinations, and if you want your kids to go to school, well they have to get 11 vaccinations and let’s not worry about the hundreds or thousands of pounds of opiates and methamphetamines coming across the southern border, because hey that would be racist. The hypocrisy stymies me, that’s why I switched from Democrat to independent..” walk away” oh shit, I just outed myself as a Russian troll. Lol

River Rat
Guest
River Rat
5 years ago

We all have a choice. Use it or don’t. Don’t place the blame where it doesn’t belong. Use everything in moderation.

Lefty 4 life
Guest
Lefty 4 life
5 years ago
Reply to  River Rat

Yes. Just suffer. Great comment. 😞

I like stars too!
Guest
I like stars too!
5 years ago

Now, here is a real issue, a serious problem to go after:

Millions of narcotic pills, which get sold on the street today, are there because sweet little old people visit Doctor after Doctor and get prescriptions, which they then fill, and, the pills are sold straight to the drug dealer on the corner, and then, sold to kids everywhere!

Medicare pays for these doctor visits and also for the pills!

Those sweet old people need the income from dealing their prescription drugs to pay their monthly Medicare Part B and D! Also their rent, and whatever…

If cities want to sue someone, they should sue MEDICARE, for allowing this fraud to continue!

The business of Medical Care, it’s a business! It is done to make money! Just like the business of filing lawsuits…

Get over it, or work for serious change.

Ice
Guest
Ice
5 years ago

They need to STOP using the inaccurate ” fact” that there are more opiate prescriptions than people in the county. How opiate prescriptions work is that there are no refills are allowed. So each month each patient gets an entire new prescription. Also a person with chronic pain usually gets 2 pain prescriptions a month. One for a long acting opiate, one for a short acting one for breakthrough pain. So each person getting 2 new opiate prescriptions a month, times 12 months, is 24 new prescriptions a year. For each person. That’s why this ” fact” is useless, but no one cares or looks up the research, they just spout it off and keep going.

The “War on Opioids” is getting so ridiculous that legitimate pain patients can’t even get proper pain meds. I have kidney cancer. Last Friday down at UCSF they took half of my right kidney and pieced it back together. I have a 10″ scar on my side. UCSF wanted me to have oxycodone for a few days for bad pain. But my home Dr. here will only give me a small amount of Vicodin 5 mg because of ” not wanting to get in trouble” in the public eye…so Cancer patients can’t get pain meds now after surgery, and it’s partially because of inaccurate or poorly researched “facts”. I hope none of the researchers or their families have to go thru cancer without meds, I really do…

For Sure
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  Ice

One woman told me that at the Fortuna ER they wouldn’t help her mother with horrible pain, and actually told them that people go home and commit suicide after being refused pain meds. I told her to go to the local news station and do this story.

groba dude trustafarian osnt
Guest
groba dude trustafarian osnt
5 years ago
Reply to  For Sure

Redwood Hospital is not a good place for sick people. It is a good place to be pronounced dead!.

Avoid Redwood Hospital like the plague! It’s nasty, understaffed, and owned by St Josephs of Orange, the Corporation fueled by Catholic greed!

Redwood and St Josephs exploit and underpay their staff, and, force the people who work for them to convert to Catholicism before the employee can get a full-time benefited position. St Joseph’s discriminates against non-Catholics and older employees, and is well known to Gas-Light and Harass it’s employees. St Joes and Redwood Hospital both maintain unsafe workplaces, refuse to make improvements and terminate employees who file complaints.

Please don’t use these hospitals if you can avoid them, and also, if you are a patient there, insist that you be treated safely and with respect.

Been There
Guest
Been There
5 years ago

A heritage of vices.
Long ago, a tolerance of alcohol led to loggers, lumbermen, and fishermen rioting every weekend for blocks of Two Street.
This led to a tolerance of a “harmless “ drug nicknamed pot.
This led to a tolerance of pills
This led to a tolerance of meth
This led to a tolerance of heroin
This led to a tolerance of opioids
All because the money from this is good for the local economy
All because the money is good for local business
All because this love of money caused law enforcement to be neutered

Now it’s the fault of corporations
Now we can sue and put more money into the local economy
Now we can sue and put more money into local business

Doing the right thing has never been tried………….

Gateway MILK
Guest
Gateway MILK
5 years ago
Reply to  Been There

Your entire gateway mentality has been proven to be a lie. If it was true then it started with breastmilk. Everything is dangerous and a gateway drug by your way of thought. Ever see a baby addicted to breastmilk not gets its fix, the baby cries like a baby……… Get real! 🤣😆😅

Jilly
Guest
Jilly
5 years ago

If big Pharma with their opioids don’t get ya, the military will make sure you get heroine from Afghanistan, because all these illegal immoral wars result in domestic poverty, illness and despair, but war is just too important to the economy (of the rich).

me
Guest
me
5 years ago

I for one am glad to see this. After all the people that abuse opioids and shoot heroin are not responsible especially since they have no money. No the pharmaceutical companies that make the pain killer are responsible for people getting illegal heroin that is not allowed in the US (schedule 1 drug) and lets put them out of business or better yet cut into their profits so that they have to raise prices on medications to stay in business. This is the best Idea yet spending tax dollars on this lawsuit. A well thought vout non political move on the part of the county. After all I am sure several lawyers will get rich off this goat screw of a lawsuit.

DELLIB
Guest
DELLIB
5 years ago

Thinking the problem here and in the whole state is bad governance for decades, higher taxes, higher rents, more yearly fees and less freedoms, basically an erosion of freedoms and liberty. Take away man’s hope and dreams man has no hope and dreams. Alcohol and other drugs tend to be an escape when a person is stressed out about something, over time continuing a downward spiral. I feel that if our current governance continues our society will unravel.

Tax payer Tom
Guest
Tax payer Tom
5 years ago

So the county is investing the canna permit money in a law suit to make more money?
If this backfires who picks up the tab?

Zzz
Guest
Zzz
5 years ago

I heard about this on BBC .Oxy was marketed as a safe non addictive alternative. Abuse is a patients error. The high kick back to pharms and doctors is business. Recently it surfaced that studies showing it is highly addictive was withheld deemed it negligent. This carrys to the the manufacturer..funding..FDA and other dark reaches by association.