Overdoses from prescription opioids increased five times from 1997 to 2017 in the U.S.

Overdoses from prescription opioids increased five times from 1997 to 2017 in the U.S.

The Sackler family, one of the richest in the country, has made their fortune on sales of the prescription pain killer OxyContin. The drug was introduced in the mid-1990s and since that time, there have been 200,000 deaths in the U.S from prescription opioids.

Now the Sackler family faces a flurry of new lawsuits over what they knew about how addictive OxyContin can be — and when they knew it.

Barry Meier has been following this story for many years. He’s the author of “Pain Killer: An Empire of Deceit,” and a former New York Times reporter.

Guests

  • Barry Meier Author of “Pain Killer: An Empire of Deceit" and a former New York Times reporter
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