WAKE UP AMERICA
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> The Sackler family, owners of Purdue Pharma, the manufacturer of OxyContin, have been linked to the opioid crisis, including the proliferation of fentanyl. Here are key points:
> Marketing and distribution: Purdue Pharma, under the Sackler family’s control, aggressively marketed OxyContin, a powerful prescription opioid painkiller, to doctors and patients. This led to widespread overprescription and misuse, laying the groundwork for the opioid epidemic.
> Fentanyl’s role: Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is a chemical cousin of heroin and 50-100 times more potent. It has been linked to a significant proportion of overdose deaths, particularly in combination with other substances. The Sackler family’s actions contributed to the demand for opioids, which, in turn, fueled the development and distribution of fentanyl and other illicit opioids.
> Immunity from litigation: In 2023, a federal judge granted immunity to members of the Sackler family from lawsuits related to their role in the opioid crisis, including the proliferation of fentanyl. This decision was met with widespread criticism and outrage.
> Settlement and bankruptcy: Purdue Pharma filed for bankruptcy in 2019 as part of a tentative settlement agreement with thousands of lawsuits. The settlement requires the Sackler family to pay out $3 billion over seven years, although they did not admit to wrongdoing or apologize for their role in the opioid crisis.
> Fortune and philanthropy: The Sackler family’s estimated $13 billion fortune comes primarily from OxyContin sales. They have also donated millions to cultural institutions and universities, which have faced pressure to return or rename these gifts due to the family’s involvement in the opioid crisis.
Key quotes and insights:
> Patrick Radden Keefe, author of “Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty,” notes that Purdue Pharma was the first mover in changing the way opioids were prescribed in the US, and that the company’s aggressive marketing and distribution of OxyContin helped create a huge population of people with opioid use disorder, who subsequently turned to illicit opioids like fentanyl. (Source: “Empire of Pain”)
> A federal judge’s ruling granting immunity to the Sackler family was criticized for allowing them to evade accountability for their role in the opioid crisis. (Source: “Sackler Family Granted Immunity From Opioid Lawsuits”)
> The Sackler family’s actions contributed to the development and distribution of fentanyl, which has become a major driver of overdose deaths. (Source: Various news articles and reports)
In conclusion, the Sackler family’s control of Purdue Pharma and their aggressive marketing and distribution of OxyContin laid the groundwork for the opioid epidemic, including the proliferation of fentanyl. While the family has agreed to pay out billions in a settlement, they have been granted immunity from litigation, sparking widespread criticism and outrage.