In an effort to combat the growing epidemic of prescription drugs and heroin abuse, the FBI and the DEA released "Chasing the Dragon: The Life of 39, an opiate addict, "a documentary for students and young adults about addiction. FBI
OxyContin pills (Photo: Toby Talbot / AP)
The maker of one of the most lethal opioids on the market has abandoned his efforts to secretly hide what the Attorney General of Tennessee claims to be the evidence. The company has lied about the addictive properties of the drug and has actively marketed it to drug addicts.
The Tennessee Coalition for Open Government and the Sentinel News, part of the US TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee, fought the move through l & # 39; Lawyer Richard Hollow, and Slatery's office filed a motion in support of the offer of both organizations to unveil the full complaint. Knox County Circuit Court.
"The state complaint contains specific examples of the defendant's unlawful conduct, its magnitude and impact on the state, the knowledge of the company's activities and the financial gain," said Slatery. "It's hard to imagine a litigation that is more of a concern to the public."
A hearing was scheduled before circuit court judge Kristi Davis on Friday. But Purdue backed off earlier this week, filing an official notice that the drug maker would no longer seek to keep the contents of the trial under seal.
The FBI and the DEA have published "Chasing the Dragon: The Life of an Opiate Addict", a documentary aimed at educating students and young adults about the dangers of addiction.
Jack McElroy, Editor-in-Chief of News Sentinel, is pleased that this effort has led Purdue to reverse course.
"Given the scale of the opioid epidemic and its devastating effect on Tennessee families and communities, it's hard to imagine an issue in which the public has a more need – and right – to examine the causes, "said McElroy." This conclusion will allow us all to better understand the roots of this crisis. "
