In This Issue SPRING 2018


Features State launches opioid web portal for physicians........................11


Cover Story: United We Stand......................................................28 New system to standardize death reporting...............................32 Justice Bridge saving jails money, reducing liability..................36 Lawrence County’s ’dream’ is realized.........................................37 Craighead County sheriff honored by national group................38 Rising from the ashes......................................................................39 AAC Staff Profile: Johnna Hoffman...............................................52


Inside Look Annual conference information and registration.....................33


Coroners talk substance abuse, profiling at meeting................43 Division of Rural Services conference held in May.....................44 More than 90 attend AACRMS safety conference....................45 Collectors talk veterans’ disabilities, budgeting.........................46 AAQC 75-member board holds its April meeting.......................47


Treasurers discuss 911 funding, property tax relief...................48 Elections, Voter ID on county clerks’ spring agenda...................49 Logan County plays host to assessors..........................................50


Departments From the Director’s Desk...................................................................7


President’s Perspective.....................................................................9 From the Governor............................................................................11 Research Corner...............................................................................12 Governmental Affairs.......................................................................15 Legal Corner.......................................................................................16 Seems to Me..................................................................................... 19 Litigation Lessons.............................................................................22 County Law Update ..........................................................................24 Savings Times 2................................................................................25 Law Clerk Update .............................................................................26 NACo News Update...........................................................................53


Cover Notes: Counties, cities, state announce opioid litigation


From left to right, AAC Executive Director Chris Villines, Attorney Jerome Tapley, Arkan- sas Municipal League Executive Director Don Zimmerman, and Mike Rainwater of Rainwa- ter Holt and Sexton answer questions from the media following a March 21 news confer- ence on the state Capitol steps.


— Photo by Christy L. Smith COUNTY LINES, SPRING 2018


turers, distributors, and retailers. The litigation argues, among other things, that opioid makers were grossly negligent, caused a public nuisance, and endangered the public health, welfare, and safety of Arkansans. The suit asks that the opioid industry be held responsible for paying for the prevention, education, and treatment pro- grams necessary to alleviate the state’s opioid epidemic. Arkansas experiences more than 400 fatal overdoses a year, an increase of nearly 300 percent since 2000 that coincides with opioid sales quadrupling. Arkansas also has the second highest opioid prescribing rate — behind Alabama — in the nation, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “It is hard to find anyone who hasn’t felt the effects of an opioid addiction from family, friends or even in themselves,” Arkansas State Drug Director Kirk Lane said in a news release distributed at a March 21, 2018, news conference announcing the litigation. Turn to page 22 for an update on the lawsuit. Begin- ning on page 28, we offer an overview of the March 21 news conference.


O 5


(Cover photo courtesy of Stone Ward)


n March 15, 2018, a coalition of cities and counties, along with the state of Arkansas, filed a lawsuit in Crittenden County Circuit Court against almost 60 opioid manufac-


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