MISSOULA — A Montana Indian tribe has filed a lawsuit against companies that produce and distribute opioid pain medication, alleging the drugs have caused a public health hazard on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation.
The lawsuit alleges the companies misrepresented the risks of addiction and marketed the drugs as a solution for chronic pain, leading to more prescriptions. The lawsuit alleges addiction is leading the tribe to spend more money on child welfare, health care, addiction treatment services and law enforcement.
KECI-TV reports the complaint was filed in federal court in Missoula on Oct. 26.
The companies being sued manufacture and distribute such powerful pain medications as oxycodone, fentanyl and morphine.
The Blackfeet tribe filed a similar lawsuit in August and Montana is among dozens of states who have sued drug companies, as well.