The Red River Parish Police Jury is being asked to join a nationwide series of lawsuits growing out of the opioid crisis. Several attorneys representing other police juries in the state made a proposal to the jury at the September meeting.

Present were Walter May, John Young and other attorneys representing a group of law firms who are seeking to represent the Police Jury in the suits. May said, “Our group represents 22 police juries in Louisiana. All over the country local bodies are getting involved.” Young said the suit includes “RICO or racketeering legislation. We believe we can bring in elements of RICO which will give treble (triple) damages.” Young added, “There is no political downside to suing opioid manufacturers. No one is coming to their defense.”

Young went on to say, “The drug companies are making billions of dollars and sticking the taxpayers with the cost of dealing with victims. Manufacturers had a fraudulent marketing campaign promoting opioids as safe and denying risks.”

Jury President Shawn Beard told the Journal afterward that he was caught by surprise by their presentation. Beard and other jurors questioned the attorneys on what they were proposing. They also questioned the deadline to join the suit, which is only a month away. The attorneys promised to send more detailed materials on the case, a copy of their contract they said had the approval of the Louisiana Attorney General and a schedule of compensation the law firms would get from any settlement. Beard said the members of the jury would take a look and consider what action to take.