Everett council approves suit against Purdue Pharma

EVERETT — The Everett City Council on Wednesday unanimously approved a motion to sue Purdue Pharma, alleging negligence by the drug manufacturer created the city’s opioid crisis.

“Our council is in full support because there is not a single member of our community that has not been impacted by this epidemic,” council Vice President Cassie Franklin said.

The lawsuit has been in the works for months, and was first reported Wednesday in The Daily Herald.

Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson devoted much of his annual State of the City address Wednesday morning outlining the city’s position.

A lawsuit now could be filed within days, Stephanson said.

The suit comes as the city increases its efforts to tackle the issues of homelessness and the related problems of addiction, mental health and street crime.

Stephanson cited a mix of past successes and telegraphed what’s to come this year. Addressing the social issues around homelessness top the list of the city’s priorities in the 2017 Legislative session.

Heroin addiction has grown rapidly in Everett and elsewhere in recent years. It’s widely believed that people who formerly abused the powerful painkiller OxyContin switched to cheaper heroin after Purdue changed the drug’s formulation to make it harder to smoke. The company improperly marketed OxyContin as a less-addictive drug and ignored evidence that it was being supplied through “pill mills” to drug traffickers who sold to addicts, records show.

“Our jails are overwhelmed, our treatment system lacks capacity to meet the growing needs, and our residents and businesses demand that we do more,” Stephanson said. “Purdue must be held accountable.”

He also highlighted the challenges that widespread opioid addiction have brought.

Many people taken to jail can’t be booked due to drug withdrawal and other medical problems, and there are many more people going through detox in jail than there are treatment beds available throughout the county, Stephanson said.

Stephanson has signed on to a proposal with five counties in north Puget Sound seeking $32 million from the Legislature to set up more treatment facilities throughout the region.

He credited Snohomish County Sheriff Ty Trenary with working to increase medical services at the jail.

Stephanson also said he was working with Trenary, Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers and Everett Police Chief Dan Templeman to explore innovations in incarceration and diversion programs.

“Our community deserves a system where the right people are in jail, the right people are diverted into alternative programs, and those who need treatment for addiction or mental illness can get the services they need,” Stephanson said.

The rest of the mayor’s speech was the familiar list of accomplishments from 2016, including the passage of Sound Transit 3, Boeing’s 777X production starting up this year, and Stephanson’s drive to build a 70-unit apartment house for chronically homeless people. The project is in the permitting phase and construction is expected to begin in the fall.

Another highlight of the year includes the opening of Washington State University’s medical school in August, which will have third- and fourth-year students taught in Everett by faculty at Providence Regional Medical Center Everett, the Everett Clinic and Sea-Mar Community Health Center.

Everett Community College also opened a major expansion of its Advanced Manufacturing and Technical Education Center and enrolled 1,000 students last year, and plans to open its second student apartment house in the fall.

On Monday, Stephanson announced he was running for re-election to a fourth, full term as mayor.

Chris Winters: 425-374-4165; cwinters@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @Chris_At_Herald.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Bodies of two men recovered after falling into Eagle Falls near Index

Two men fell into the falls and did not resurface Saturday, authorities said. After a recovery effort, two bodies were found.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.