Episode 1 of "Dopesick" unfolds in 1986, amid a plague of suffering that marks the debut of OxyContin onto the scene. Sales representatives spin a tale of enchantment, proclaiming that addiction affects less than 1%, transforming the drug into a beacon of hope for doctors. As the narrative hurtles forward to a courtroom drama in 2005, Dr. Samuel Finnix stands at the epicenter of a devastating aftermath, his role in the calamity under intense scrutiny.
But the roots of this tragedy extend back to 1996, where Finnix toils in a clinic, nurturing the local community. A tapestry of characters weaves through this small town, including a brigade of coal miners, one of whom, Betsy Mallun, suffers a catastrophic back injury after a slip that lands her harshly on a metallic tool.
Elsewhere, Dr. Richard Sackler faces familial backlash over the looming market entry of these costly medications. Raymond stands steadfast in his support, yet the rest of the clan, gathered around a lavish dining table, harbor doubts. Richard, undeterred, vows that his drug will prove its worth.
The mosaic of these individuals in this quaint town paints a foreshadowing of the chaos to come, as we leap forward to 2005, where Dr. Finnix, under interrogation, pinpoints OxyContin as the sole culprit behind the soaring death toll in his town. This case, a three-year labor of love, sees Rick Mountcastle and Randy Ramseyer joining forces with John Brownlee to construct a formidable case against Purdue Pharma, the architect of this crisis.
Yet, the path ahead is fraught with obstacles; no US attorney dares to tread this treacherous ground. Thus, the trio embarks on a relentless quest to accumulate every shred of evidence, determined to shed light on the dark secrets of OxyContin.
Some crucial clues emerge from delving into the affairs of Bridget Meyer, the deputy director of the diversity division. According to Rick's account, she bears firsthand witness to the unfolding events, making her a vital source of information. Naturally, they make their way to her office, seeking answers, but she initially remains guarded, unwilling to engage. That is, until Randy drops a bombshell, recounting a chilling tale of a man peddling pills from the trunk of his car to an innocent eleven-year-old girl.
Later in the narrative, we are transported back in time to witness Bridget's days within the DEA, where OxyContin's emergence alongside cocaine has sent ripples through the underworld. The drug's introduction to the market has triggered a maelstrom of problems, with prisons overflowing, a surge in underage prostitution, and addiction rates soaring to alarming heights.
To add fuel to the fire, a promotional video for OxyContin surfaces, its spokespersons carefully avoiding the drug's name, instead painting it as a miracle "pain medication." Undeterred, Richard persists in his push for OxyContin, mandating that the formidable sales force, including Billy Cutler and the newly recruited Amber, shift doctors' allegiance from Vicodin and other pain relievers to OxyContin.
With a team of unparalleled size and ambition, Cutler and his colleagues embark on a mission to sway as many physicians as possible. Among them is Dr. Finnix, whose heartstrings are skillfully plucked by Cutler over a shared bucket of KFC. However, it is Betsy who ultimately clinches the deal, her visible bruises serving as a poignant reminder that prompts Dr. Finnix to insist she take a break. When she resolutely refuses, he prescribes her OxyContin, unwittingly entangling her further in the web of addiction.
