Mayor Ganim, Sen. Blumenthal Call For Feds To Act On Opioids

BRIDGEPORT, CT — Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim and United States Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) are teaming up with Dr. Lee Forest of the Fairfield County Medical Association to call on the U.S. Justice Department to step up the fight against opioid addiction.

In a release issued Wednesday from Ganim's office, the Mayor said that the fight includes a lawsuit against opioid manufacturers that is being pursued by cities and states.

"We have made the fight against opioid addiction a top priority in Bridgeport and hope that the federal government will do the same," said Mayor Ganim in a statement. "The manufacturers cannot continue to undermine the progress we are trying to achieve which is why we are taking such a strong stand. A company’s profits should not be put above the health of the public."

Added Sen. Blumenthal, "The federal government should be committing more resources toward helping Bridgeport and other communities combat the opioid epidemic. I will work with Connecticut and federal officials to determine how we can further a broader collaborative effort."

The lawsuit is against pharmaceutical companies who engage in irresponsible marketing techniques. These tactics are a way for manufacturers to boost profits by encouraging addiction.

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