Councillor Ramsay inks opioid resolution

PRINCE GEORGE – Mayor and Council have supported a resolution authored by Councillor Cory Ramsay in relation to the opioid crisis.

Specifically, it cites the Opioid Damages and Health Care Costs Recovery Act and the ability of a provincial government “to sue a manufacturer or wholesaler of an opioid product to recover the costs of health care benefits,” and the fact the Government of BC did, in fact, launch a class action suit against Purdue Pharma Inc., the makers of Oxycontin, last year and that local governments have faced substantial “health care benefits” costs due to the opioid crisis; Therefore be it resolved that UBCM advocate to the provincial government to share any recovery of damages from the class action lawsuit with local governments, to further enable local governments to continue offering services and support programs that aim to reduce harm and stigma, address the root causes of the opioid crisis, and support people struggling with mental health and addiction.”

“I have been thinking about this resolution for a while and it was evident by the community meeting in December that this is a crisis,” says Ramsay.

But the Attorney General for the Province, who was in the city last week, feels the resolution may be premature.