The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty: A Family's Addiction to Profits

Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty

by Patrick Radden Keefe

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	8616 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	558 pages

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The Sackler family is one of the richest and most powerful families in the United States. They made their fortune from the sale of OxyContin, a prescription painkiller that has been linked to the opioid crisis that has ravaged the country.

The Sacklers have been accused of misleading doctors and patients about the risks of OxyContin. They have also been accused of using aggressive marketing tactics to promote the drug. As a result of these allegations, the Sacklers are facing a number of lawsuits from states, cities, and individuals who have been harmed by OxyContin.

The Sackler family's history is a long and complex one. The family's patriarch, Mortimer Sackler, was a psychiatrist who developed OxyContin in the 1990s. Mortimer's sons, Richard and Jonathan, took over the family business in the 2000s and oversaw the aggressive marketing campaign that led to the opioid crisis.

The Sacklers have always been a private family, and they have gone to great lengths to protect their reputation. However, the opioid crisis has brought their family's secrets to light. The Sacklers are now facing a public reckoning for their role in the crisis.

The Sackler Family's History

The Sackler family's roots can be traced back to Poland in the 19th century. The family's patriarch, Isaac Sackler, was a furrier who emigrated to the United States in 1885. Isaac's son, Mortimer, was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1916. Mortimer Sackler went on to become a psychiatrist and a successful businessman.

Mortimer Sackler founded Purdue Pharma in 1952. The company initially sold a variety of prescription drugs, but it became known for OxyContin in the 1990s. OxyContin is a powerful opioid painkiller that was originally marketed as a safe and effective treatment for chronic pain.

OxyContin was a huge success for Purdue Pharma. The drug quickly became one of the most prescribed painkillers in the United States. However, OxyContin also had a dark side. The drug is highly addictive, and it has been linked to a number of deaths from overdose.

The Opioid Crisis

The opioid crisis is a public health emergency that has claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of Americans. The crisis began in the late 1990s with the overprescription of OxyContin. Purdue Pharma was one of the main drivers of the crisis, and the Sackler family has been accused of fueling the epidemic for profit.

The Sacklers have been accused of misleading doctors and patients about the risks of OxyContin. They have also been accused of using aggressive marketing tactics to promote the drug. As a result of these allegations, the Sacklers are facing a number of lawsuits from states, cities, and individuals who have been harmed by OxyContin.

The Sackler Family's Legal Battles

The Sackler family is facing a number of legal battles as a result of the opioid crisis. In 2020, the family agreed to pay $270 million to settle a lawsuit brought by the state of Oklahoma. The family is also facing lawsuits from other states, cities, and individuals.

The Sacklers have denied any wrongng, but they have agreed to pay billions of dollars in settlements to resolve the lawsuits. The family is also selling off its assets, including its stake in Purdue Pharma, to raise money for the settlements.

The Future of the Sackler Dynasty

The Sackler family's future is uncertain. The family is facing a number of legal battles, and its reputation has been tarnished by the opioid crisis. The family is also selling off its assets, which could lead to a decline in its wealth and power.

The Sackler family has been one of the most powerful families in the United States for decades. However, the opioid crisis has brought the family's secrets to light. The Sacklers are now facing a public reckoning for their role in the crisis.

The Sackler family's story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed and the importance of holding corporations accountable for their actions. The Sacklers made billions of dollars from the sale of OxyContin, but their profits came at a great cost to the American people. The opioid crisis has claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of Americans, and the Sacklers must be held accountable for their role in this tragedy.

Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty

by Patrick Radden Keefe

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	8616 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	558 pages

FREE