The Hidden Opioid Crisis: A Dive into Big Pharma's Dark Secrets
The addiction epidemic is hardly a secret, but the behind-the-scenes orchestrations might surprise even the most informed of us.
In Episode 19 of "The Addiction Help Podcast" we delve deeper into the shocking role played by big pharmaceutical companies and the devastating impacts of their choices, as we discuss part 2 of HBO's documentary The Crime of the Century.
We revisit the story of the “guinea pig” guy, a man pursued by Purdue to be the poster child for high-dosage OxyContin usage. Their aim? To advertise that continually increasing the dosage led to no adverse reactions. This wasn’t for the patient's benefit, rather, it was a strategic move knowing his unusual tolerance.
Some alarming statistics to consider:
- Drug overdose deaths tripled since 1990.
- Every day, 40 people lose their lives to prescription painkiller overdoses.
- By 2012, there were over 250 million opioid prescriptions.
Behind these statistics, companies like Purdue have masterfully created a prescription opioid market. This lucrative enterprise was soon flooded with other companies creating generic versions of opioids, marking the rise of a new drug cartel, not smuggled from foreign lands, but birthed in corporate boardrooms.
We further delve into Joe Rannazzisi's insights from his time at the DEA's diversion control division. The emerging trend of online pharmacies and the DEA's crackdown, Operation Pill Nation, serves as chilling reminders of the lengths addicts will go to and the system's struggle to keep pace.
Yet, the story darkens. As prescriptions became harder to obtain, many turned to cheaper and more accessible alternatives: heroin and fentanyl. By 2019, over 10 million Americans had misused opioids, with at least 1.6 million addicted.
Join Dan and Jess as they provide insights, discuss their thoughts, and question the role of big pharma and government in this crisis. Is the opioid addiction from OxyContin as rare as the Sacklers claim?
Dive in with us to find out.
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