Los Angeles files lawsuit against opioid companies

LOS ANGELES (FOX 11 / CNS) - Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer announced Thursday that his office has filed a federal lawsuit against nine opioid drug companies, alleging their illegal business practices have contributed to drug addiction problems in the city.

According to the California Department of Public Health, nearly 24 million Californians were prescribed opioids in 2016. On Thursday, the city of Los Angeles took a big step forward in the fight against opoid addiction.

"This is a killer on our streets." said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.

The mayor alongside LA City Attorney Mike Feuer announced a civil lawsuit against nine major opiod manufacturers and distributors.

"I will not let Los Angeles become the next West Virginia or Ohio when it comes to the devastating affects of the opioid crisis." said Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer.

LA joins several other municipalities across the country suing in Ohio federal court.

The 161 page lawsuit targets makers of vicodin, oxycontin, fentanyl and other narcotics.

"we're seeking to put an end to deceptive marketing and misleading advertising... We're seeking to put an end to the manufacturers and distributors failure to timely apprise authorities of suspicious sales. " Feuer said.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, more than 115 people die each day from opioid overdose.

Prescription painkillers were reported in the deaths of actor Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Prince and most recently, Tom Petty. And it's not just celebrities, Mayor Garcetti also blames the opioid crisis for LA's growing homeless problem.

"We see the numbers of tents beginning to multiply around la over the last few years... We know that the source for many of the people out there or the reason they stay out there is their addiction.." said Garcetti.

The city attorney declined to say how much money he is seeking in damages but he did say they plan to recover costs, losses and damages as a result of the drug companies conduct.