Whereas under the Opioid Damages and Health Care Costs Recovery Act the Act the provincial government may sue a manufacturer or wholesaler of an opioid product to recover the costs of health care benefits on an aggregate basis, for a population of persons who have suffered damage caused or contributed to by the use of or exposure to an opioid product; And whereas pursuant to the Act and other legislation, the provincial government has launched a class action lawsuit on behalf of all federal, provincial and territorial governments to recover the costs of health care benefits from manufacturers and wholesalers of opioid products, whose marketing practices have had devastating impacts on the lives of thousands of British Columbians; And whereas the definition of health care benefits under the Act includes other expenditures by the government, made directly or through one or more agents or other intermediate bodies, for programs, services, benefits or similar matters associated with disease, injury or illness and local governments have faced substantial health care benefits costs due to the opioid crisis: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM advocate to the provincial government to share any recovery of damages from the class action lawsuit with local governments, to further support local governments and continue offering services and support programs that aim to reduce harm and stigma, address the root causes of the opioid crisis, and support people struggling with mental health and addiction.
Ministry of Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing The Province commenced legal action against more than 40 opioid distributors and manufacturers to recover its health care costs and introduced enabling legislation, the Opioid Damages and Health Care Costs Recovery Act, in fall 2019. This action is part of BCs continued effort to take action in response to the profound impact that opioids have had on communities across BC and is an important step in holding these companies to account given the devastating impact that has resulted from their deceptive marketing and distribution practices. Investing in services and supports to save lives and address the impacts of the overdose emergency on communities across BC is not dependent on the outcome of the litigation process. Significant steps have been taken to escalate BCs response with new and enhanced services on the ground such as Community Action Teams CATs; community wellness and harm reduction initiatives; StopOverdoseBC and other campaigns to reduce stigma and raise awareness; and increased investments to enhance availability and access to services including medication assisted treatment, bed-based treatment and recovery and substance use integrated team-based care, to name a few. Municipalities have been key to informing and supporting this work. Going forward the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions will continue to ensure policy and strategic planning is informed by the needs of all interests including municipalities, First Nations partners and communities, people with lived and living experience, service providers and other experts.