The City of Columbus has filed a lawsuit against three drug manufacturers, five distributors and three individuals the city council president calls 'opinion leaders' for their alleged roles in the opioid crisis. Defendants include Dublin-Based Cardinal Health. A specific damage amount was not included in the paperwork. Others defendants include Purdue Pharma, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Johnson & Johnson, McKesson and AmerisourceBergen, as well as four physicians and researchers who allegedly contributed to the belief that opioids are not addictive. Most of the companies have issued statements saying they are disappointed, take the opioid crisis seriously, and vow to vigorously defend themselves. The lawsuit will become part of multi-district litigation that will go before federal district Judge Dan Polster in Cleveland. A statement from council president and incoming city attorney Zack Klein confirms officials met several times with Cardinal officials to try and avoid litigation.