Madison – On Wednesday, the United States Department of Justice announced OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma will plead guilty to three federal criminal counts as part of a larger monetary settlement with the government. Rep. John Nygren (R – Marinette), author of nearly three dozen bills addressing the heroin and opioid epidemic, issued the following statement:
“As the parent of a child with a difficult history of addiction, today’s announcement leaves me with mixed emotions,” said Nygren. “My heart breaks for the hundreds of thousands of Americans who have lost their lives due to heroin and opioids and the untold number of families ripped apart by this epidemic. I am also saddened by what has unfolded in the decades it has taken for Purdue to admit the corporate tactics they employed were deceptive, wrong, and ultimately played a large part in the heroin and opioid epidemic still gripping our country.”
“However, I also welcome the news that Purdue is admitting guilt and being held accountable for their actions,” continued Nygren. “Hopefully this action serves as a message to other opioid manufacturers and distributors that their conduct that contributed to this epidemic will not go unchecked. No criminal charges or financial sum will bring back lives or mend broken homes, but I am optimistic provisions of these settlements will prevent addiction in the long run.”
