Chester County intends to sue major drug companies who they blame for creating an “opioid crises,” according to the Philadelphia Business Journal.
Millions in taxpayer money will be wasted to pursue these frivolous lawsuits by grandstanding county commissioners that don’t understand the problem. And all this with very little hope of winning.
Drug deaths are usually caused by illegal drugs such as heroin and fentanyl, not by prescription opioids. Studies by the Center for Disease Control show that illegal drug use — and deaths — soared when prescriptions for pain analgesics fell. Stanton Peele, a psychologist and addiction expert, says drug addiction is closely associated with depression and stress, not prescriptions.
The CDC says the word “overdose” is improperly cited as the cause of most drug deaths. It is deadly cocktails of drugs, mixing heroin and fentanyl. These abuses killed actors John Belushi, Seymour Hoffman, many others.
A local physician who prefers anonymity says, “…The ‘intention’ of recent changes whether by law or rule has been to reduce unwarranted or unnecessary opioid prescriptions but the effect has been chilling to physician confidence and autonomy and to patient care. I strongly believe that anytime something comes between the doctor and his patient that patient care suffers, even if the intentions are noble”
If prescription opioids are not the main culprit for drug deaths, why is Chester County going after corporations? The answer: money and headlines. County commissioner Michelle Kichline said, “…funding is needed to sustain the programs, services, and additional resources needed, and pharmaceutical manufacturers must shoulder a portion of that burden.”
Medication- assisted treatment, including the proven effectiveness of marijuana in reducing opioid deaths (legal in Pennsylvania) would be more effective. Also, better access to life-saving Narcan, and less grandstanding by politicians will do more to reduce drug deaths than threatening companies who produce products for chronic pain sufferers.