The Shameful Case of the Sacklers (Part 2): Oxy Rising 

This series is absolutely amazing. As a 20 year opiate addict starting with pain meds including Oxycontin it never ceases to amaze me how those in power who pushed addictive medicine down our throats in the pursuit of infinite profit, label addicts as "scum of the earth" whilst we pay for their extravagant lifestyle. I am now finally off heroin, but only with the help of methadone, which itself gets horrible press. I find it funny how so many stigmatize methadone while never knowing anyone who's benefited from it or used it themselves. Almost everyone I know in the program is very grateful for. I know I am. Half of my friends I used with are dead. The reality that people need to accept is that the War on a Drugs fosters an environment in which people like the Sacklers thrive. Cartels thrive. Corrupt police who get off on dominating the weak and minorities thrive. Addicts suffer while everyone else benefits and our families, friends and communities are encouraged to ostracize us. It's horrific.

Richard Sackler sounds like a real life Paul Verhoeven villain.

Its funny because around 2000 I had some things happen that led to me dealing with chronic pain since. My doctor adviced against pain meds and I am forever grateful.

Damn Georg, this is going to be your magnum opus, isn't it?

So sad to hear about Georg's car exploding when he tried to start it next week, if only he could have released part 3 first.

I find it interesting that Ronald Reagan who is known for starting the war on drugs was the same administration that approved an untested drug that went fuel one of the worst drug epidemic in the US. Helped by Reaganomics to create the kind of environment that prioritises money over everything thing else. Great video as always Georg!

It always kills me when settlements addressing such horrific and far-reaching behavior involve no admission of fault.

Watching this on a train and I'm concerned at how upset I look to all of the other passengers. This is so fucking horrifying. The number of lives ruined is unfathomable. I'm loving the level of research in this series.

I was working in a hospital when OxyContin came out. I read all about it, and the idea that it couldn't be abused because it was time released prompted me to observe, "Yeah, but people just have to crush it up and snort it, and there goes your time release feature. Every time-release cold medicine capsule says not to crush it, after all. This is going to be addictive as hell." Not that I had an objection to people with severe pain getting relief; far from it. I just felt that Purdue was lying about the addiction issues. Within a year or two of the drug's release, an observant and ethical pharmacist in Philadelphia had uncovered a pill mill dispensing prescriptions for OxyContin, and brought the DEA down on the doctor. Purdue Pharma knew from the get-go that this drug was trouble.

Pseudo addiction is addiction when it applies to pain killers, basically. Purdue is effectively the most successful pusher ever.

It amazes me the evil that surrounds us without any restraint or accountability.

This makes me side eye doctors and the entire health system even more than I ever did.

I’m currently withdrawing from OxyContin after being prescribed it for years and years. It’s brutal.

As a recovering addict of street level narcotics, this scares me more than revisiting the drug block for a high that will never happen again. Now I work in insurance, and funny enough, drugs are the largest portion of time/effort/premiums.

I love when you said he was a "little boot". I immediately got the Caligula reference!

This is great investigating journalism and storytelling

I love that you're doing this. Oxy addiction wrecked my life. I'm good now, but damn near half my life is over. Anyways, thanks. Everyone should know about this.

Damn Georg you are really putting the work in on this, this could be on TV. Great documentary.

I was 20 when I got hooked on pain pills during a period of intense back and neck pain as I underwent university exams - a year later I was on heroin. I'm in recovery now (5 years later) and in a much better place, but I'm glad these scumbags are getting the bad publicity they deserve. I'll always take full responsibility for the actions I've taken, but these guys are scum for what they've done to millions of people, including their marketing of valium.

I hate the typical run of the mill pretentious "drama documentaries" out there. 😕 But Georg injects just the right amount of humor in the right spots while also presenting SO MUCH information in a nice package. In fact, if it wasn't for the humor, it would be even more depressing than the subject already is. You see, this REALLY hits close to home, because I've suffered from serious chronic pain for years now (and NOT your typical "old football injury" kind, either; it's VERY BAD). And rather than address the root cause, I've been given a gradual yet always steadily increasing amount of oxy (both immediate and a new(ish) extended release version of Oxycintin called Xtampza) over the years. Today, it's at the point where not only can they not give me any more, but my body is so used to it now that it doesn't really help with the pain anymore. In fact, it's so bad I can barely write this comment. Add in being paralyzed from the waist down along with a few other medical issues and my life is almost literally a living hell. 😞 Also, a while back I had to warn an older gentleman (I have to be careful, because I'm turning 53 this month 😉 ), who was in the same hospital room as me, to not take the oxy they were giving him for sleep. (For SLEEP!) I asked him if he was in any pain and he said he wasn't really, but it just helped him go to sleep. I was, like, "NO! Do NOT take it just to fall asleep!" He wondered why and I filled him in on my sad tale. He said he just liked it. (Well, of COURSE you did, my elderly friend!) I don't know if he took my advice, because I left that same day, but he seemed to understand what I was trying to say. I hope he did, at any rate. It still gives me chills that the hospital was just doling out oxy like that. For freaking SLEEP, no less. Well, I did recall he had a little pain at one point and they probably saw that in his chart and just authorized it in case he needed it to help him sleep. You know, because it's not addictive and all that. He'd be just fine, right? 😕 Anyway, thank you for making this video, Georg. While I'm not sure if we can really do anything about the Sacklers at this point, we can certainly at least vote for politicians who promise to address problems like this going forward. Still, it's (SPOILER ALERT) infuriating that the Sacklers essentially got off scott free. Jesus, it pisses me off so freaking much. You know, I'm not one to wish physical harm on anyone regardless of what they've done, but, damn it...these people... I wouldn't shed a single tear if something unfortunate were to happen to them. It's even more maddening that while they have got to know that someone out there in the world wants to do harm to them, I'll bet they will just go on throughout the rest of their decedent and disgusting lives without constantly looking over their shoulders. They couldn't even care one iota less. In fact, they are likely simply miffed at the whole "minor inconvenient hullabaloo". A hullabaloo that left thousands of dead (and many still suffering) bodies in its wake. Evil has had several names over the centuries of human history and for a time that name will be "Sackler". Pardon my French, but FUCK THEM. Fuck them hard and in an extremely unpleasant way. (Sorry. I'm just really angry right now. 😞)

Oh yes. What I'm addicted to is when Georg goes all out investigative journalism. Give it to me.

Great job! Excellent research! 👍 I had 4 impacted wisdom teeth removed and my dentist prescribed Oxycontin. I took it the day of my surgery as directed and my stomach was like wtf is this shit? And then the next day I took the next prescribed dose and again my stomach said it did not like this crap. So I stopped taking it. I told an acquaintance at the time this story and she offered to buy the rest of the bottle off me. That was super shady so I told her that I threw it out already. I hadn't though. When I tossed it out, I made sure to open the bottle and dump out the individual pills in the kitchen trash. I didn't want anyone finding an in tact bottle of clearly addictive shady pills.

Love the Zappa samples.

It wasn’t a war “on” drugs. It was a war “of” drugs, and oxy won.

I had major surgery last year so my mum took care of me. I was prescribed Percocet for pain. Having been addicted to morphine before, and my last major surgery led to me being sent home due to withdrawal symptoms. I was terrified of being addicted again. My mum didn't get why I was so insistent to be given the lowest dosage she can give me. I ended up recovering with medical cannabis and a VERY low dose of percs. I got through the month long recovery rapidly, the worst pain was in the first 3 days. Opiates and opioids terrify me. Watching this video series has helped my fear be less paranoia and more of a real concern.

The Sacklers - a true family of Philanthropy, i guess its a matter of perception .. My suggestion is all drugs need to be tested on the Sacklers first.

And this, ladies and gentlemen is why regulation is a good thing.

I'm not at all surprised George is a Zappa fan pleasant surprise to hear his music not expecting it

I spent over a decade addicted to opioids. I wouldn't wish an opioid addiction on my worst enemy, but... I hope the Sackler family has many of their children turn into opioid addicts.

Congratulations on a James Corbett quality level - detailed deep dive on this subject. Remarkable job. I've known about these scams for decades but you've highlighted a miraculous amount of detail.

Really love your recent output on the wealthy and their ... ahem ... 'foibles'.* So well researched and lucidly put. Thank you. *i.e. despicable corruption

"Richard was a little boot." 🥂 You're doing gods' work.

Corruption is not that they lose their ethics gradually along the way, but that they build a better understanding of what they can get away with and form ever more elaborate excuses for their actions. Most sociopaths think they are normal and that people lie about having empathy, seeing empathy as an artificial social constraint. Some sociopaths think they they are superior for not having empathy. Sociopaths always do what they think they can get away with, and so their crimes grow with experience. With socialism being the politics custom made for sociopaths you do get them clumped together in businesses or other organizations, and exclude normal people.

“Addicted to morphine? Try smack!” 😂

This is an outstanding docu series on these criminals. Great work Georg!

This is possibly the most strangely inspiring video I’ve seen! There’s a couple of fiction and non-fiction movies, books and TV series to be mined here for sure, but more importantly with your narration coupled with the 80’s broadcast footage and the Twin Peaks-y drone music in the background you’ve created a for me wholly new “Evil 80s nostalgia” -genre that I personally want more of: fiction; music; action figures; scratch-and-sniff-boards, you name it!

I knew a bit about it already from my work in pharmacy and clinical research, but this was chilling. The titration strategy for adversely-affected patients also applies to other drugs (e.g. SSRIs).

This is pretty disturbing. On the other hand, there's nothing quite like downing a couple of Oxy's with a nice cup of Hiptang in the morning.

Got sucked in. Nice work Georg.

“They’re a family of schemers, Crooks, killers and deceivers, They’re drug addiction weavers, The Sackler Family” *Hava Nagila plays

"...and his idiot successors piss away the opportunities left to them"😂😂

Hearing these intro songs you use always brings a smile to my face. Keep up the good work! I'm surprised you don't work for a TV or Media company, this is professional documentary work, but I respect your desire to stay independent and fully in control of your art.

I love that Mike Flanagan did his homework amazingly in his latest netflix series where he actually used Purdue and the Slacker family as his inspiration for the main story. Pretty on point with this evil family and their heirs.

It's official we are terrible to each other

Georg you rock, thanks for sheddiing light in the dark corners 🌞❤️‍🔥

Some of your best work, looking forward to part 3.

Damn. Thank you for this. To assemble this tragedy all together…I’ve seen the pieces but have missed noticing the whole structure. Deeply appreciate your work and skill in assembling this scathing and eye-opening series. Eagerly awaiting the third part…

Brilliant documentary. I read Gerald Posner’s book “Pharma”. It was dense with details and enthralling. Your 3 part documentary is superb. Covers the Sackler families’ history, context and culture perfectly.

Congratulations on the series it's essentially a film.

Just found your channel and have to write to thank you for an amazing series. This is an incredible piece of work. I have tweeted it out and hope that it is shared as widely as is possible. Thank you again even if my blood pressure could probably use a Purdue product right now.

This is a great go along with Dope Sick. Awesome job!

Well done Georg! Fascinating stuff…. Looking forward to part 3!

I got a morphine drip after surgery. It was oddly one of the cheaper items on my 250K bill. This was 15 years ago. The prices are much higher now. I’m not from the US. I could have applied for duel citizenship but neglected it and went full US. Next year I broke my spine at work. I regretted that. If I could go back…if I could just go back home and have gotten healthcare, my life would have taken a very different trajectory

Jesus that’s evil 😬 This is the best explanation of the opioid crisis I’ve seen.

Thank you for your work, Georg. I and many others appreciate it greatly!

Watched succession just before this, very thematic.

Ooof, that "Moneywatch: Oxycontin Approved for Children" headline at 26:54

Love this new style of video, stick it to every corrupt POS out there man! We are here for it!

Interesting advert for Disney's Dopesick just before this video played.

U r a real 1, Georg

Amazing and jaw dropping. Very much looking forward to part 3.

i seem to remember hearing Oxycontin being referred to as "hillbilly heroin" as early as 2000 or 2001.

Love this Georg! Your research is second to none!

Superb, fascinating, can't wait for part 3.

Thank you Georg, thank you so much for doing this.

Georg... you are outstanding. Both parts are so well made... amazing research. Thank you. 🙏🏻

Great detailed work. I hope it gets more exposure. I find it hard to understand how people who make money from harming others, and they must know on some level, convince themselves they’re doing nothing wrong.

Brandy Vaughan who worked for Merk as a saleswoman and became a whistleblower ...RIP to a wonderful woman who did what she could to expose the filthy business practices of the company - found dead by her nine year old son

This is really great work Georg. Absolutely horrifying.

This will be my watch before sleeping

Great series - bring on part 3!

Oh boy, I can't wait for the finale, when Walker: Texas Ranger roundhouse kicks the Sacklers into jail!

Hiptang! No longer contains any opioids

I am really, really enjoying this series. Looking forward to the third episode!

Fantastic work George. Thank you so much.

Chilling yet fantastic work Georg!

GREAT WORK! LOVE THIS SERIES!

So, Arthur Sackler was a business genius with some hints of a moral code and a wish to give back to society after his death, whilst his brothers and their children had no great ideas, ambition and lacked even Arthur's dubious morals?

Watching these two vids while my bus home didn't show , fascinating stuff fair play on the research 👏

This is the best content iv seen in an age... so well cut too..

First glance I thought the headline read- ….the slacklers! Lol

I like the low tones and the moody theme in the background. Very fitting.

Man you deserve more views your videos are brilliant.

Superb storytelling and investigation, thank you George

I love your work, Georg.

"...because he had been constipated for some time but couldn't spare the effort to understand how his own product worked"

This family is literally responsible for the addiction of millions of people and collateral effects and damages that follow, and they are not held responsible, but a black kid on the corner of any city gets busted for possession with intent to sell, gets up to 6 years in Prison, That's the reality in America.

phenomenal film. Engaging, enraging and educational all at once

Incredible documentary series. Keep up the great work!

I just can't seem to get enough of your videos. Almost like... ...wait a minute. Jokes aside, fantastic stuff.

I really appreciate this. Thanks Georg

I’m sorry but this series is too well made and researched to be getting as little attention as it has

Georg, keep it coming!!

This is amazing. Keep them coming please. Thank you sir.

Thanks for making this, I find it so interesting and there seem to be parallels with current behaviours. Of course, before this there were other 'safe and effective' drugs, the thalidomide story is another interesting one.

Man, how much time did you spend editing? Hats off to you sir. Despite me not being interested in the subject I was glued to the screen.

Tremendous series. Absolutely insane.

I went to a pain clinic after several years of suffering extreme pain as a result of a major stroke. I was already clean and sober from booze and cocaine for about ten years (I was six years sober) when I sufferd the stroke. I had a doctor advise me to take either oxycontin or a fentynal patch. I have seen enough of opioid addiction to refuse those suggestions. I told the doctor that I was a recovering drug addict and alcoholic. The doctor told me that I couldn't get addicted to any drugs he prescribed because there is a "sociological aspect" to all addiction. So I asked him "if I sold half my prescription to another person, I would not be addicted but the purchaser would be addicted?" The doctor answered, "Exactly." I said, "You're an idiot and I'm outta here!" Addiction studies should be required in all medical schools.

Thank you very kindly, another Docu that raised my Blood Presure... Cheers Mate... be well...

Looking forward to part 3!