Scott on KUSI: Addressing the Opioid Crisis in San Diego

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – Hundreds of people are dying around the country due to a nationwide epidemic, the opioid crisis. Watch the entire segment here.

In San Diego County, opioids are the leading cause of overdose deaths compared to any drug. County Supervisor Kristin Gaspar joined us to discuss the details of how the county is addressing the crisis here in San Diego.

Furthermore, pharmaceutical giant “Purdue Pharma” has offered to pay up to $12 billion to settle opioid lawsuits.

More than 2,000 claims were filed against the company, all which state, it is responsible for the opioid epidemic. The offer to settle would require the family that owns Purdue Pharma to give up all ownership of the company, and then declare bankruptcy.

The trial is scheduled for October 2019.

This comes after an Oklahoma judge ordered drug manufacturer “Johnson and Johnson” to pay $572 million for fueling the opioid crisis in a landmark decision.

Former San Diego City Attorney Mike Aguirre and local drug addiction expert Scott Silverman joined us on San Diego People to discuss these issues.