The billionaire Sackler family, who owned Purdue Pharma, will no longer face civil lawsuits over their role in the U.S. opioid crisis. In exchange, they’ve agreed to pay $6 billion as part of a settlement aimed at supporting addiction treatment and recovery efforts across the country.
Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin, filed for bankruptcy in 2019 after being hit with thousands of lawsuits. The company was widely accused of helping fuel the opioid epidemic by aggressively marketing its painkiller as safe and non-addictive—claims that were later proven false.
A Deal Years in the Making
On May 30, a U.S. appeals court approved the settlement deal, granting the Sackler family full immunity from future civil lawsuits related to Purdue's role in the crisis. This long-awaited decision clears a major legal hurdle and opens the door for the funds to be distributed.
Of the $6 billion:
- $750 million will go directly to individuals and families affected by the opioid crisis.
- The rest will be distributed to state and local governments to support addiction recovery programs, public health efforts, and the development of overdose prevention tools.
The Fine Print
While the ruling protects the Sacklers from civil lawsuits, it does not shield them from criminal prosecution. They will also give up ownership of Purdue Pharma, which will be renamed Knoa. Profits from the new company will go toward funding addiction treatment initiatives.
Additionally, the Sackler family has agreed to remove their name from public buildings, scholarships, and institutions—a symbolic but significant move. Some major organizations, like the Guggenheim Museum in New York and the Louvre in Paris, have already erased the family’s name due to public pressure.
A Tragic Toll
The opioid crisis has taken a devastating toll in the U.S. In 2021 alone, more than 100,000 Americans died from drug overdoses, with opioids involved in about 75% of those deaths, according to the CDC.
Purdue Pharma has previously pleaded guilty to criminal charges linked to its misleading marketing practices. The Sacklers, however, have consistently denied any personal wrongdoing.
Still, victims and their families continue to share heartbreaking stories of loss and addiction. As part of the settlement, the Sacklers were required to listen to impact statements from people affected by the crisis.
Looking Ahead
The deal must still receive final court approval, but it's expected to move forward. Purdue Pharma has stated its future focus will be on victim compensation, fighting the opioid crisis, and supporting overdose rescue efforts.
Whether this marks the end of the legal battles surrounding the opioid epidemic remains to be seen. But for many victims and families, this long-awaited step offers a glimmer of justice—and much-needed funding to begin the process of healing.
Source: https://www.congress.gov/congressional-report/117th-congress/house-repo…
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