White Earth Nation files suit against opioid manufacturers

WHITE EARTH, Minn. (KFGO) – Minnesota’s White Earth Nation has joined the list of governments that are suing drug companies because of the opioid crisis.

A complaint in U.S. District Court says the tribe filed the lawsuit to “eliminate the hazard to public health and safety” and to recover money spent because of false, deceptive and unfair marketing.

The tribe says 28% of Minnesota babies born addicted to opiates are Native American even though Native Americans account for just 2% of the state’s population.

The list of allegations in the lawsuit includes racketeering, negligence and fraud.

In 2011, the White Earth Nation Tribal Council declared a public health emergency on its reservation in response to the opioid epidemic.