A Mom's Fight for a Fair Opioid Settlement
Digest
Cheryl Jewair, a mother who lost two sons to opioid overdose, has been deeply involved in the fight against the opioid crisis. She joined a Facebook group for parents who'd lost children to drug addiction and eventually became an advocate for holding Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family accountable for their role in the epidemic. She was part of a team that negotiated a $6 billion settlement agreement, but the Supreme Court ruled against it, arguing that the Sacklers' immunity from future lawsuits was unfair. Despite the setback, Cheryl remains determined to continue fighting for justice and to prevent further deaths from opioid overdose. She believes that the Supreme Court's decision will ultimately lead to a more just outcome, even if it takes longer and more lives are lost. Cheryl's story highlights the devastating impact of the opioid crisis and the ongoing struggle for accountability and justice.
Outlines
Cheryl's Fight for Justice
This Chapter introduces Cheryl Jewair, a mother who lost two sons to opioid overdose, and her involvement in the fight against the opioid crisis. It details her journey from personal tragedy to becoming an advocate for holding Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family accountable for their role in the epidemic. Cheryl's story highlights the devastating impact of the opioid crisis and the ongoing struggle for accountability and justice.
The Opioid Settlement that Fell Apart
This Chapter delves into the details of the $6 billion settlement agreement that Cheryl helped negotiate with Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family. It explains the Supreme Court's decision to overturn the settlement, citing the unfairness of granting immunity to the Sacklers. The chapter also explores the emotional impact of the decision on Cheryl and other families who have lost loved ones to opioid overdose.
Cheryl's Personal Journey
This Chapter focuses on Cheryl's personal journey and the events that led her to become an advocate for opioid addiction awareness. It details the story of her son Corey, who died from a heroin overdose, and how his death inspired her to connect with other grieving parents and create a support group. The chapter also explores Cheryl's growing awareness of the Sackler family's role in the opioid crisis and her determination to hold them accountable.
The Negotiations and the Infighting
This Chapter dives into the complex negotiations surrounding the opioid settlement. It highlights the challenges Cheryl faced as part of the Unsecured Creditors Committee, including the infighting between different stakeholders, such as state governments, victims, and companies. The chapter also explores the emotional toll of the negotiations, particularly after Cheryl's other son, Sean, died from an overdose.
Facing the Sacklers
This Chapter recounts Cheryl's experience testifying before David and Teresa Sackler, the members of the family responsible for Purdue Pharma. It describes the emotional impact of confronting them and the sense of injustice she felt. The chapter also explores the complexities of the settlement agreement, including the controversial immunity provision for the Sacklers and the debate over how the funds should be used.
Keywords
Opioid Crisis
The opioid crisis is a public health emergency characterized by a surge in opioid-related overdoses and deaths. It is fueled by the widespread misuse and addiction to prescription opioids, such as OxyContin, and illicit opioids, such as heroin and fentanyl. The crisis has had a devastating impact on individuals, families, and communities across the United States.
Purdue Pharma
Purdue Pharma is a pharmaceutical company that manufactures and markets prescription opioids, including OxyContin. The company has been at the center of the opioid crisis, facing numerous lawsuits alleging that it misled doctors and the public about the risks of its drugs. Purdue Pharma filed for bankruptcy in 2019, seeking to resolve thousands of lawsuits against it.
Sackler Family
The Sackler family is the wealthy family that owns Purdue Pharma. They have been accused of profiting from the opioid crisis by aggressively marketing OxyContin and downplaying its addictive properties. The Sacklers have faced intense scrutiny and criticism for their role in the epidemic, with many calling for them to be held accountable for the harm caused by their company's products.
Opioid Settlement
The opioid settlement refers to a series of agreements reached between opioid manufacturers, distributors, and state and local governments to resolve thousands of lawsuits related to the opioid crisis. The settlements aim to provide funding for addiction treatment, prevention, and harm reduction programs. However, the settlements have been controversial, with some critics arguing that they do not go far enough in holding the companies accountable.
Civil Immunity
Civil immunity is a legal protection that shields individuals or entities from being sued for certain actions. In the context of the opioid settlement, the Sackler family sought civil immunity from future lawsuits related to their role in the opioid crisis. This provision was controversial, with many arguing that it was unfair to protect the Sacklers from accountability for their actions.
Team Sharing
Team Sharing is a support group for parents who have lost children to overdose. It was founded by Cheryl Jewair, a mother who lost two sons to opioid overdose. The group provides a space for grieving parents to connect with others who have experienced similar losses and to share their stories and support each other.
Unsecured Creditors Committee
The Unsecured Creditors Committee is a group of individuals and entities that represent the interests of creditors who are not secured by specific assets. In the Purdue Pharma bankruptcy case, the Unsecured Creditors Committee included victims of opioid overdose, state governments, and companies that had been affected by the opioid crisis. The committee played a key role in negotiating the settlement agreement.
Justice Gorsuch
Neil Gorsuch is an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. He was appointed by President Donald Trump in 2017. In the Purdue Pharma case, Justice Gorsuch wrote a dissenting opinion in which he expressed optimism that a more just outcome could be reached through further negotiations.
Judge Drain
Robert Drain is a United States Bankruptcy Judge who oversaw the Purdue Pharma bankruptcy case. He played a key role in shaping the settlement agreement and ensuring that the funds would be used for addiction treatment, prevention, and harm reduction programs.
Q&A
What was the outcome of the Supreme Court's decision on the opioid settlement?
The Supreme Court ruled against the settlement, arguing that the Sacklers' immunity from future lawsuits was unfair. This decision overturned the agreement and left Cheryl and other families devastated.
What is Cheryl's motivation for continuing to fight for justice?
Cheryl is driven by a desire to prevent further deaths from opioid overdose. She wants to ensure that the Sacklers are held accountable for their role in the epidemic and that the funds from any future settlement are used to save lives.
What challenges did Cheryl face during the negotiations for the opioid settlement?
Cheryl faced significant challenges, including infighting between different stakeholders, such as state governments, victims, and companies. She also had to grapple with the emotional toll of the negotiations, particularly after the death of her other son, Sean.
What was Cheryl's experience like testifying before the Sackler family?
Cheryl found the experience emotionally draining. She confronted them about the harm they had caused and questioned their motives. She was particularly struck by Richard Sackler's smugness and lack of remorse.
What is Cheryl's perspective on the immunity provision for the Sacklers?
Cheryl initially saw immunity as the only way to secure a significant settlement from the Sacklers. However, she ultimately accepted it because she believed it was the best way to ensure that the funds would be used for addiction treatment, prevention, and harm reduction programs.
What is Cheryl's hope for the future of the opioid crisis?
Cheryl hopes that the Supreme Court's decision will ultimately lead to a more just outcome, even if it takes longer and more lives are lost. She believes that the Sacklers will eventually be held accountable for their actions and that the funds from any future settlement will be used to save lives.
How has Cheryl's personal experience shaped her advocacy work?
Cheryl's personal experience with the loss of her two sons to opioid overdose has fueled her passion for advocacy. She is determined to use her voice to raise awareness about the opioid crisis and to fight for justice for those who have been affected by it.
What is the significance of Team Sharing?
Team Sharing provides a vital support system for grieving parents who have lost children to overdose. It allows them to connect with others who understand their pain and to share their stories and support each other. The group is a testament to the power of community and the importance of finding solace and strength in shared experiences.
What is the role of the Unsecured Creditors Committee in the Purdue Pharma bankruptcy case?
The Unsecured Creditors Committee represents the interests of creditors who are not secured by specific assets. They play a crucial role in negotiating the settlement agreement and ensuring that the funds are distributed fairly and effectively.
What is the potential impact of the Supreme Court's decision on future opioid settlements?
The Supreme Court's decision could have a significant impact on future opioid settlements. It may make it more difficult to reach agreements that include immunity provisions for opioid manufacturers and distributors. This could lead to more litigation and potentially delay the distribution of funds for addiction treatment, prevention, and harm reduction programs.
Show Notes
Last week the Supreme Court ruled a $6 billion settlement between Purdue Pharma and victims of the opioid crisis could not move forward, because it granted immunity to the Sackler family, the principal owners of Purdue. For one of the litigants, a mother who has lost two sons to overdoses, the decision felt like “a sucker punch.”
Guest: Cheryl Juaire, part of the bankruptcy settlement with Purdue Pharma and founder of the non-profit organization Team Sharing, a support group for parents who have lost kids to overdoses.
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Podcast production by Elena Schwartz, Paige Osburn, Anna Phillips, Madeline Ducharme and Rob Gunther.
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