Barry Meier's 'Pain Killer': Unmasking the Opioid Crisis
Episode Overview
Barry Meier's investigative journey from fiction writing to journalism and uncovering threats to public health Exposing the pharmaceutical industry's deceptive marketing practices that fueled the opioid epidemic Insight into 'Pain Killer: An Empire Of Deceit And The Origin Of America's Opioid Epidemic' Adaptation of 'Pain Killer' into a hard-hitting Netflix series shedding light on the opioid crisis Meier's narrative offers a crucial perspective on the urgent need to prevent similar crises in the future
I grew up believing that doctors were like the bedrock of our society. They were people into whom we could place our trust, that they would always act in our benefit. And when I started researching the Sackler family and researching Arthur Sackler, Dr. Arthur Sackler, who was basically the patriarch of the Sackler family and who in the 1950s and 1960s essentially created a whole new industry which was the advertising of prescription drugs.
In this compelling episode of 'The Addiction Podcast - Point of No Return', host Joanie Sigal sits down with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Barry Meier to explore the dark underbelly of the opioid epidemic. Meier, known for his groundbreaking book 'Pain Killer: An Empire Of Deceit And The Origin Of America’s Opioid Epidemic', shares his journey into investigative journalism and the chilling discoveries he made along the way.
This episode dives deep into the roots of the crisis, exposing the nefarious actions of the Sackler family and Purdue Pharma, who played a pivotal role in the widespread devastation caused by OxyContin. Meier's narrative is not just about pointing fingers but also about understanding the intricate web of deceit, manipulation, and corporate greed that led to a national tragedy.
The discussion also touches on the Netflix series adaptation of his book, which brings these harrowing stories to a wider audience. If you're looking for an eye-opening account of the opioid crisis and the urgent need for accountability and change, this episode is a must-listen.