1 minute read
Timeline
THE OPIOID CRISIS
In the 1990s, opioids were prescribed for pain management, as they reduce the nervous system’s reception of pain and increase feelings of pleasure. Opioids became very popular – and addictive. Higher doses can slow heart rate and breathing, which is where they become dangerous. Since 1999, over 500,000 people have died from an opioid overdose.
Advertisement
1993 1996
A prescription for pain
Drug use, addiction and overdoses have devastated communities and families for centuries, but this is a whole new scale. In the 1990s, doctors began prescribing opioids for pain management. It wasn’t till 1993 when doctors noticed a rise in overdose deaths, especially from those mixing the opioid with other substances.
The arrival of OxyContin
Purdue Pharma, which is owned by the Sackler family, began selling the opioid OxyContin in an aggressive marketing campaign, claiming users could take their lives back from chronic pain, with little risk of addiction. It took just a few years for annual sales to reach US$1bn.
2007
Purdue Pharma charged for downplaying the risk of addiction in OxyContin
A federal court heard that Purdue Pharma misled regulators, doctors and their patients on the potential of developing an addiction from OxyContin. Purdue Pharma was charged with misbranding and downplaying the risk of addiction. Three executives plead guilty and Purdue Pharma settled US$635mn.
2013
Synthetic opioids
‘The Third Wave’ arrived when addicts began to overdose on manmade opioids, designed to mimic natural ones. For example, Fentanyl is much stronger than heroin. Dealers will sell their pills, cocaine or heroin itself, laced with fentanyl for a stronger hit. Users are unaware and this causes an overdose.
2022
US court rules drug distributors not responsible for opioid crisis
A judge ruled in favour of drug distributors, AmerisourceBergen Drug Co., Cardinal Health Inc. and McKesson Corp., in a lawsuit which accused them of causing a health crisis in Cabell County, where 10% of the population is or has been addicted to opioids
