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WHEREAS, the financial impact on the County from these circumstances is substantial, <br />particularly in view of the fact that a significant number of persons addicted <br />to opioids and the family members they support are uninsured or <br />underinsured and rely on the provision of County services without <br />reimbursement to the County; and <br />WHEREAS, apart from the financial impact, there is a human impact resulting from these <br />circumstances on the parents, spouses, children, siblings and friends who <br />witness the suffering, and sometimes the loss of life, of a loved one, not to <br />mention the loss to the community of the gifts and talents of such persons; <br />and <br />WHEREAS, these circumstances are real and pervasive and unreasonably interfere with <br />the public health, safety, peace, comfort and convenience of the citizens <br />and residents of the County and of the County itself; and <br />WHEREAS, on the advice of legal counsel, it appears to the Board that the County has <br />valid claims for damages against the opioid manufacturers and distributors <br />and possibly others for violations of constitutional, statutory, decisional laws <br />and the common law; and <br />WHEREAS, it appears that such claims are for past costs incurred by the County but <br />also for significant future costs that will be incurred to pay for additional <br />County services and for treatment, rehabilitation and counseling. <br />NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Cabarrus County Board of <br />Commissioners at its regular monthly meeting and with a quorum present, as follows: <br />1. That there exists a crisis in Cabarrus County with the use/abuse of <br />opioids; <br />2. That the Board intends to take all reasonable actions necessary to <br />seriously lessen or eliminate this crisis; <br />3. That the Board declares the opioid crisis to be a public nuisance <br />pursuant to Article 57 of Chapter 106 of the North Carolina General <br />Statutes and N.C. Gen. Stat. §153A-140 that needs to be abated by <br />whatever reasonable legal means are available; and <br />4. That the Board shall retain legal counsel to investigate and pursue civil <br />legal action against those responsible for causing and perpetuating the <br />opioid crisis in Cabarrus County. <br />G-5 Page 220 <br />