More Wisconsin Tribes Join Legal Fight Against Pharmaceutical Companies

Several Wisconsin tribes have now filed lawsuits against drugmakers, claiming they played a role in the nationwide opioid epidemic. The Lac Courte Oreilles (LCO) Band of Lake Superior Chippewa is the latest tribe to file suit.

The LCO tribe filed a lawsuit earlier this month in Sawyer County Circuit Court against prescription drug manufacturers and distributors like Purdue Pharma, Endo Pharmaceuticals and Walmart stores.

A number of community members have overdosed on opioids and opiates, according to Jason Schlender, vice chairman for the LCO tribe.

“It’s pretty rampant in our community as well as other communities, and it’s not just tribal communities that are affected by this as well,” he said. “This situation or this problem isn’t in a vacuum. It’s not just a tribal issue. It’s a nationwide issue. We are doing our part to protect the tribe and our membership.”

The Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin also filed suit earlier this month against pharmaceutical companies in Wisconsin federal court. The St. Croix Chippewa is another northern Wisconsin tribe that has filed a federal lawsuit against drug makers and distributors. Last year, St. Croix Tribal Attorney Jeff Cormell said they had six reported deaths related to opioid overdoses. He said drug abuse is often a driving factor behind other crimes on the reservation. Cormell said the opioid epidemic has been affecting everyone there from adults to kids.

“I can tell you we don’t have a single kid that is in our child welfare system that where the parents isn’t associated or completely involved with opioid drugs. It’s just across the board,” he said. “They call it an epidemic, is an absolute correct use of the term. It’s overwhelming St. Croix community and the government.”

Cormell said much of the tribe’s energy and resources have gone to pay for treatment of members struggling with addiction. Schlender said they’ve also devoted a lot of resources to members for treatment. Efforts to reach several drugmakers and distributors for comment that were named in both lawsuits were unsuccessful Wednesday. Drug makers have disputed the claims of other tribes, counties, states and local governments who have filed lawsuits.