Opioid Epidemic: What is Being Done?
The CDC estimates that heroin and synthetic fentanyl overdoses increased by 38.6% during 2021, reaching historic highs. Prescription opioids and illegal manufactured opioids, such as heroin and fentanyl, have created an opioid addiction crisis throughout the U.S. since the 1990s.
What are Opioids?
Opioids are substances that reduce pain, including physical pain, psychological pain, and emotional pain. Opioids can be naturally occurring, semi-synthetic, or synthetic. The most frequently used opioids are:
- Prescription opioids. Common prescription opioids include oxycodone, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, meperidine, codeine, morphine, and fentanyl.
- Heroin is usually a brown or creamy powder or sticky black substance. It can be injected with a syringe but may also be sniffed, smoked, vaped, or skin popped.
- Fentanyl can be prescribed and is done so for cases of extreme pain. It can be used recreationally with heroin or as a heroin substitute.
Dangers of Opioid Use
When opioids are misused, it may result in overdose and death, opioid use disorder, or other serious medical or mental health effects. Some individuals who use prescription opioids may progress to using illicit opioids like heroin or fentanyl. Fentanyl is the most dangerous; 100 times stronger than heroin and requires very little to result in an overdose. A fentanyl overdose can cause:
- Loss of consciousness
- Respiratory arrest
- Heart Attack
- Permanent Brain Damage
- Death
Federal and State Regulation of Opioids
All opioids are controlled substances. According to the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), opioids are classified between Schedule I and Schedule V. Classification depends on whether they are approved for medical use, their risk for misuse, and the likelihood of developing a physiological dependence.
- Schedule I – Drugs aren’t approved for medical purposes and have a high likelihood of abuse. Heroin is a Schedule 1 Drug.
- Schedule II – Drugs are approved for medical use and are highly likely to be abused. The user may develop a severe physiological dependence on the substance. Fentanyl, Hydrocodone, Hydromorphone, Morphine, Oxycodone, Meperidine, Methadone, and Codeine are Schedule II Drugs.
- Schedule III – Substances in schedule III have a potential for abuse less than substances in Schedules I or II and abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
- Schedule IV- Substances in this schedule have a low potential for abuse relative to substances in Schedule III.
- Schedule V – Substances in this schedule have a low potential for abuse relative to substances listed in Schedule IV and consist primarily of preparations containing limited quantities of narcotics.
Most Opioids Enter the U.S. Internationally
Most heroin used in the U.S. comes from Mexico, and fentanyl generally originates from sources in China. Drugs are produced in illegal labs, bought, and sold through online marketplaces, financed with virtual currencies, and shipped globally in small packages direct to buyers and drug entrepreneurs. The secrecy and volume of these mini-trafficking networks are a formidable challenge to traditional counternarcotics approaches.
Efforts Made to Combat the Opioid Crisis
In March 2022, The UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) voted to internationally control three specific chemicals (4-anilinopiperidine (4-AP), 1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-4-phenylaminopiperidine (boc-4-AP), and N-phenyl-N-(piperidin-4-yl) propionamide (norfentanyl)) that are used by drug traffickers to produce illicit fentanyl. This makes it more difficult for drug traffickers to obtain and use these chemicals for illegal purposes. This action is expected to make it more difficult for drug traffickers to obtain and use these chemicals for illicit purposes. Additional efforts implemented to combat the opioid crisis include:
- Reducing the demand for illicit opioids by expanding public education, prevention, and treatment programs.
- Enhancing technology and closing loopholes for inspection of international inbound mail and packages.
- Enhancing border screening.
- Bolster capabilities and capacity of domestic law enforcement efforts to investigate the illegal distribution of synthetic opioids.
- Enlisting the help of private-sector stakeholders to implement systems to prevent drug traffickers from acquiring chemicals used illegally to manufacture synthetic opioids.
- Enhancing and close the gaps in U.S. laws, regulations, ad resources for online advertising and sales, and financial tools aimed at drug trafficking,
Opioid Litigation
In 2017, Pennsylvania was one of 41 states to investigate the opioid crisis and since then, claims have not only been filed on the state level, but also have extended to counties and local municipalities. Goldberg, Persky & White, P.C., is co-counsel in the lawsuit against eight pharmaceutical companies whose tactics and unlawful practices could have contributed to the opioid crisis.
GPW seeks compensatory and punitive damages from the following pharmaceutical companies that make or distribute opioids:
- Purdue Pharma LP
- Teva Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.
- Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc.
- Endo Health Solutions Inc.
- Mallinckrodt, plc; Cardinal Health Inc.
- McKesson Corporation
- AmerisourceBergen Drug Corp.
If you believe you have a claim against one of these companies, contact GPW today to learn your options. You may be entitled to compensation.
