Are the Sacklers America’s Most Evil Family?

After years of explosive journalism reports about the exploits of the Sackler family, a new book called Empire of Pain from investigative journalist Patrick Radden Keefe is reawakening the discussion about the family’s central role in the global opioid crisis. Not long ago I wrote about a marketing agency getting sued for its role in aggressively marketing addictive drugs to vulnerable patients on behalf of Purdue Pharmaceuticals.

Now with the perspective of time, it appears this may just be another textbook example of how corrupt owners remain in power by letting their vendors take the fall for them. The details emerging about the family’s unchecked greed and stubborn refusal to accept any responsibility seem unrefuted and infuriating. Judging by the book’s early popularity, the story is resonating with people as well.

Will it be enough to tip opinion and litigation against the family? They have survived the scrutiny before and seem poised to get immunity from prosecution once again. Sadly, it may be easier to take the family’s name off buildings than to take down the family itself.