The suits claim the businesses fueled the opioid epidemic through a fraudulent marketing campaign that misrepresented the drugs' safety and effectiveness. They seek compensation for the governmental costs of dealing with opioid addiction, which include higher expenditures on Medicaid, rehabilitation programs, law enforcement and even a greater number of autopsies. Paul Napoli of Manhattan's Napoli Shkolnik and one of the lead attorneys for the counties, said he hopes the trials can go forward as soon as next spring. "This has had a significant financial impact on counties throughout the state," Napoli said, adding that there is considerable evidence that "these drug pushers" acted fraudulently in promoting the painkillers. "We're seeing more and more culpability," he said. Download