NYC sues drugmakers over opioid epidemic

In the ongoing battle against opioid addiction and abuse, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Tuesday a lawsuit against seven drug manufacturers.

The city says the companies named in the lawsuit made billions of dollars at the cost of everyday New Yorkers whose lives were ruined after becoming addicted to the product. The lawsuit aims to recover about $500 million in current and future costs of the city's battle against the opioid epidemic.

"Big Pharma hooked millions of Americans on these drugs," de Blasio said, referring to large pharmaceutical companies. "It's time for these companies to forfeit their gains and send them where they can help us address the problem they created."

City officials say drug-related deaths have more than doubled in the past six years.