(Martinsville, Va.) – Martinsville and Henry County are the latest localities to file suit against more than a dozen drug companies over the escalating opioid crisis in Southside Virginia.

The city and county filed individual lawsuits last week. Each action names more than 15 drug manufacturers, pharmacies and other groups that the suits claim are linked to “an opioid epidemic that has resulted in economic, social and emotional damage to tens of thousands of Americans throughout virtually every community in the United States.”

Pittsylvania County filed a similar suit in September.

The same law firms representing nine cities and counties in Virginia that have filed similar suits against drug companies.

The lawsuits claim the manufacturers made false claims about the benefits and risks associated with opioids and the risk of addiction. The suit also alleges distributors ignored their responsibilities.