The Sackler Family: A Secretive Billion Dollar Opioid Empire (2019)
The Sackler family—a name once associated with philanthropy and cultural contributions—now stands at the center of one of the most devastating public health crises in modern history: the opioid epidemic. Their role in shaping this tragedy is both shrouded in secrecy and deeply controversial.
The Opioid Crisis and the Sacklers:
- The opioid epidemic in the United States has claimed over 200,000 lives, leaving families shattered and communities in despair.
- At the heart of this crisis lies OxyContin, a powerful opioid painkiller. The Sackler family’s company, Purdue Pharma, manufactured and marketed OxyContin aggressively.
The Billion-Dollar Empire:
- The Sacklers amassed billions of dollars by corrupting the entire supply chain of opioids:
- Sales Reps: Purdue employed armies of sales representatives who aggressively promoted OxyContin to doctors, downplaying its addictive properties.
- Doctors: The family allegedly paid off doctors to prescribe OxyContin liberally, contributing to its widespread use.
- Lobbying: They lobbied for favorable regulations, ensuring that OxyContin flooded the market.
- Purdue Pharma’s marketing tactics were deceptive, emphasizing the drug’s effectiveness while minimizing the risks of addiction.
Legal Troubles and Denials:
- Purdue Pharma faced numerous lawsuits for its role in the opioid crisis. The Sackler family has broadly denied the charges in civil lawsuits.
- Despite Purdue Pharma pleading guilty to federal crimes, no individual Sackler family member has been charged in the investigations.
The Sackler saga serves as a stark reminder of the intersection between corporate greed, public health, and personal responsibility. Their legacy is forever intertwined with the suffering of countless individuals caught in the grip of addiction. As the legal battles continue, the question remains: How can we prevent such tragedies from recurring?
