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Inside the Battle to Bring Down the Opioid Industry: A Deep Dive into the Fight against America's Deadliest Crisis

Rex Hayes

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Published in American Cartel: Inside The Battle To Bring Down The Opioid Industry

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Welcome to the gripping true story behind the relentless pursuit to hold accountable the pharmaceutical giants who fueled America's opioid epidemic. In "Inside the Battle to Bring Down the Opioid Industry," award-winning journalist Patrick Radden Keefe takes readers down the harrowing and complex path that led to the unprecedented legal reckoning against pharmaceutical giants Purdue Pharma and Johnson & Johnson.

The Prescription for Disaster

The opioid crisis did not emerge overnight, but rather as a result of decades of aggressive marketing and misleading claims by drug companies. Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin, exploited loopholes in medical regulations and used deceptive tactics to convince doctors to prescribe the highly addictive drug for minor pains. Johnson & Johnson, meanwhile, peddled its opioid painkillers to unsuspecting patients, downplaying their potential for abuse.

American Cartel: Inside the Battle to Bring Down the Opioid Industry

by Scott Higham

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	14989 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	416 pages

As prescriptions soared, so too did overdose deaths. From 1999 to 2019, opioids killed over half a million Americans, tearing apart families, destroying communities, and leaving a trail of addiction and despair.

A David and Goliath Battle

Standing against this corporate juggernaut was a formidable alliance of lawyers, activists, and politicians determined to bring the perpetrators to justice. Elizabeth Burch, a relentless attorney general from Oklahoma, led the charge with a groundbreaking lawsuit accusing Purdue Pharma of racketeering and fraud. Other states, including New York, Wisconsin, and Tennessee, joined the fray, filing similar complaints against Johnson & Johnson.

The legal battles were epic, with both sides deploying vast resources and cunning strategies. Purdue Pharma tried to evade responsibility by declaring bankruptcy, while Johnson & Johnson sought to deflect blame and delay accountability.

Behind the Headlines

Keefe goes beyond the headlines to delve into the personal stories of those who fought tirelessly against the opioid industry. He introduces us to Michael Botticelli, the former director of the National Drug Control Policy under President Obama, who witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of opioids and became a vocal advocate for change. We also meet Dave and Kimberly Sackler, the Sackler family members who profited handsomely from OxyContin sales and faced intense public scrutiny over their role in the crisis.

Epilogue: The Aftermath

The opioid industry finally faced a reckoning in 2021 when Purdue Pharma reached a $9 billion settlement with the Department of Justice and several states. Johnson & Johnson agreed to pay $230 million to victims and their families. While these settlements offered some measure of justice, the opioid crisis continues to leave a lasting scar on American society.

Lessons Learned and a Call to Action

Keefe's book serves as a chilling reminder of the dangers of corporate greed and the importance of holding power accountable. It also exposes the systemic failures that allowed the opioid epidemic to spiral out of control.

As the opioid crisis enters a new phase, with the rise of fentanyl and other synthetic drugs, Keefe calls on readers to stay vigilant and demand meaningful reforms to prevent future tragedies.

"Inside the Battle to Bring Down the Opioid Industry" is an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the complexities, human toll, and lessons learned from America's deadliest crisis. Keefe's captivating narrative and unwavering commitment to truth-telling should inspire us all to fight against corporate malfeasance and strive for a more just and equitable society.

American Cartel: Inside the Battle to Bring Down the Opioid Industry

by Scott Higham

4.6 out of 5