BELLINGHAM, Wash. — The Whatcom County Council will vote Tuesday on whether to sue several drug companies that manufacture opioids.

Councilmember Todd Donovan says lawyers who are representing Tacoma and some other jurisdictions in similar lawsuits approached the county several weeks ago.

He says if the council decides to file a lawsuit, the first step will be to build a case.

“They will work with our emergency service providers, our health department and law enforcement to create a record of what the cost to the community has been in terms of addiction and in terms of our own health care costs,” he says.

Donovan says the lawsuit won’t cost the county any legal fees because the lawyers would only be paid if they win the case.