In the 1990s, there was a rising epidemic of overdoses and addictions to the drug OxyContin (oxycodone hydrochloride), which was marketed as non-addictive. A controversial issue has been whether the Sackler family should be held accountable for the deaths caused by the drug they put on the market, knowing the side effects could be fatal. On the one hand, some argue that the Sacklers are at fault for the OxyContin epidemic and the beginning of the opioid crisis. From this perspective, the ones responsible for the opioid crisis are walking free. On the other hand, however, others argue that abusers aren't the victims; they're the victimizers. The issue is important because half a million Americans were killed due to this drug, and those at fault never got proper punishment. The Sacklers are to blame …show more content…
The lack of accountability for those responsible for the opioid crisis continues to be a point of contention and frustration for many affected by this devastating epidemic. The Sackler family's involvement in the opioid crisis warrants severe punishment akin to drug dealers. For instance, court documents reveal that Purdue Pharma, owned by the Sacklers, aggressively marketed OxyContin while downplaying its addictive nature (FILLER 1). Furthermore, Purdue's sales representatives targeted vulnerable populations, contributing to the widespread addiction epidemic (Ryan et al). The Sacklers knowingly profited from the suffering of countless individuals and communities devastated by opioid addiction, similar to the actions of drug cartels. The deceptive practices employed by the Sackler family to introduce OxyContin to the market mirror those of drug traffickers. Research indicates that Purdue Pharma engaged in misleading marketing tactics, falsely claiming that OxyContin was less addictive than other opioids (Ryan et