As though on cue, the court rulings and press releases arrive.
Just in time for the post-pandemic summer. A summer sure to be dominated by headlines of opioid litigation, echoing Mark Twain’s famous quip – history does not repeat itself, but it often rhymes.
The parallels in the legal outcomes and press releases resonate particular patterns we saw pre-pandemic. Prior to 2020 we saw prosecutors bringing forward ever more sensationalized charges, and we saw dramatic pleas and settlements accompanied by astronomically large financial remunerations.
And in the waning days of the pandemic we seem to find the very same thing. We see Johnson & Johnson settling just days prior to a highly anticipated civil trial, settling for yet another astronomical sum – but this time accompanied by a facetious pledge to stop manufacturing opioids, as though by decreasing the supply of prescription medications we will solve the opioid epidemic.
But this time we are not fooled by the false narratives. A report by the Economist reveals just how much public perception has changed over the course of the pandemic. Citing the CDC figure in which it is estimated that by 2025, nearly 100,000 people will die annually from drug overdoses, the report goes on to question when America will take the opioid epidemic seriously.
Clearly the empty pageantry that has defined these hollow court rulings has run its course. The public no longer believes the epidemic can be solved legally, nor believes litigation has a place in addressing a fundamentally medical problem.
The rhythm has changed, and the public is calling for a new tune.
Now, instead of targeting prescription opioids and attributing blame to the healthcare system, we are finally addressing the true root cause of the current opioid related mortality – fentanyl. A problem even before the pandemic began, its supply has only grown in recent months.
In 2019 more than 36,000 people died from overdoses related to synthetic, illicitly-obtained opioids, such as fentanyl, according to the CDC. In 2020, overdoses increased by 30% with fentanyl now linked to 3 out of 5 fatal overdoses that year, as cited by the CDC.
But if fentanyl is the problem, then why are we still seeking the same misguided legal approaches to the opioid epidemic?
The disparity resides in a conceptual disconnect between the legal and medical worlds. In the legal world, opioid litigation is still ongoing, and many of the cases that began pre-pandemic have yet to be settled post-pandemic.
We have not see the bulk of the Walmart v. DOJ case, nor have we seen the conclusion of the Sackler family’s Purdue Pharma settlement.
And while the legal world is still mired in year’s old litigation, the medical world has long moved on – exacerbating a divide that has permeated into the minds of the public.
Before the public believed opioid litigation would help resolve or at least curtail the overdoses.
Now we see the unintended consequences. We see the inability to seek adequate pain relief, the fear in the minds of providers, and a culture of healthcare prescribing patterns captivated by the fear of prosecution.
And if public sentiment has shifted in favor of the healthcare field, supporting the supposed perpetrators of the opioid epidemic, then who or what is the government representing in all these legal cases?
As underlying all the contrived legal arguments and interpretations of law is the fundamental premise that the prosecutors are representing the public interest.
But if the public no longer supports the government’s legal arguments, nor its litigation, then the government no longer represents the public.
And perhaps it is time for the law to catch up with the medicine.
Maybe someone can answer this question for me here.There is a law,ie cfr 1801-42-1395,,,,Soo why is the government in our healthcare??There are several other laws the DEA/ our government has violated,but this a biggy,,Soo why isn’t it being used.All i see is the MEDICALLY ILL in physical pain from their MEDICAL illness being forced to suffer in agony from a treatable condition,ie,physical pain.Forced endurement of severe physical pain is defined as medical torture,soo why does anyone support torturing the medically ill??I don’t,,what someones medical issues are,,is NONE OF MY BUSINESS,,Now we have a doctors shortage,geee,,dahhh..When a person works his entire life to help the sick,only to have our government at gunpoint,ie,DEA, attack all innocent doctors, via busting in and takes it all
they’ve worked for,,why would anyone want to be a doctor?
Drunk driving is a critical crime and may result in extreme punishment, such as penitentiary time, charges, and also a criminal background. In the event that you or a family member has been faced with drunk driving, it is vital to take into consideration employing a criminal DUI personal injury attorney. In this article, we shall talk about the advantages of choosing a criminal DUI attorney in court.
Legal Expertise: DUI solicitors are knowledgeable when you look at the legal components of driving while intoxicated cases. They could navigate the complex legal system and possess a deep comprehension of what the law states and the courtroom methods. This experience may be invaluable in making sure your civil liberties are protected and therefore you will get the perfect outcome.
Negotiating Plea bargains: OVI attorneys have the feeling and negotiation skills to negotiate plea deals for you. They are able to negotiate with prosecutors to cut back the charges against you or even secure a far more lenient sentence. This could easily help save you time, money, and stress.
Evidence Review: DRUNK DRIVING lawyer can review the data against one to see whether it absolutely was obtained legally. If the evidence was obtained illegally, it may be omitted from court proceedings, which could massively enhance your likelihood of a great outcome.
Cross-Examine Witnesses: legal professionals are skilled in cross-examination, which will help to discredit the testimony of witnesses against you. This will weaken the prosecution’s case while increasing the likelihood of an optimistic outcome.
Sentencing Alternatives: DUI attorneys can negotiate for alternative sentences, such as for example community service or drug abuse programs, in the place of jail time. This will probably provide an even more advantageous result for you personally and certainly will assist you to avoid the blemish of experiencing a criminal history.
Court Experience: DUI attorneys have extensive experience with court and are also acquainted with court procedures and protocols. They learn how to dispute perfectly for you and may produce a strong protection. This could raise your likelihood of a good end.
Representation in Hearings: DUI legal representatives can defend you in administrator proceedings, such as for example license suspension hearings, which will help to secure your driving privileges. This could easily stop you from losing your license and that can ensure it is easier for you to make the journey to work, school, as well as other important spots.
Protection of Constitutional Rights: DUI attorneys make sure that your constitutional rights are protected through the court process. This can include the ability to a good trial, the ability to remain silent, as well as the right to get rid unreasonable searches and seizures.
In conclusion, selecting a criminal DUI solicitor can provide different advantages in legal proceedings. From legal know-how and negotiating due process deals to safeguarding your constitutional privileges, a legal professional can provide a stronger defense while increasing your odds of a great outcome in driving under the influence case. In the event that you or someone you care about has been faced with driving under the influence, it’s important to consider hiring a criminal DUI attorney to ensure your liberties are protected and that you will get the perfect outcomes.
If you wish to understand more about this topic area take a look at our website online: [url=https://www.bouchardcincinnaticriminalduiattorney.com/practice-areas/top-cincinnati-domestic-violence-attorney-roger-bouchard/]cheque fraud guard attorney[/url]