Episode 6 of "Dopesick" commences in 2002, painting a grim portrait of OxyContin's rampant mass production. The drug has permeated every corner, with queues of men and women stretching out, desperate for their prescriptions. It's an epidemic of epic proportions, but before delving deeper, the narrative rewinds to 2000.
Jay McCloskey, the US Attorney for Maine, stands before his constituents, his voice laced with urgency as he weaves a tale of OxyContin's sinister ties to a surge in crime. With a letter dispatched to every physician in the region, the ripple effects reach Richard Sackler, who, perched atop his ivory tower of denial, remains blind to the devastation his creation has wrought. As he grapples with a course of action, Finnix's mind churns with doubts about the efficacy of rehab, haunted by the revolving door of fellow addicts who've struggled through its doors four times over.
Eventually, Finnix's emotional dam bursts, spilling forth a torrent of confession. He bears the crushing weight of guilt for prescribing the very drug that's ravaged his patients' lives, feeling a profound betrayal of his medical oath and questioning his own competence as a healer. Ninety days pass, yet Finnix emerges from the ordeal frayed, his resolve to stay clean wavering.
Meanwhile, Betsy clings to her faith and family, striving valiantly to maintain her sobriety. But as the camera fleetingly glides back to Finnix, a somber revelation unfolds—drugs scattered across the table, a stark reminder that his battle is far from won. Rehab is but a distant memory, and the road to recovery seems a treacherous, uphill climb. Just when all hope seems lost, Leah, his guardian angel, appears, offering a glimmer of hope with the suggestion of a clinic in Knoxville.
Jumping ahead to 2002, Bridget, fueled by unwavering determination, confronts the FDA with her concerns. They, in turn, challenge her with a daunting task: prove that OxyContin is perilous even when used as directed. While acknowledging this as their responsibility, they offer a glimmer of hope, hinting that if she succeeds, they'll withdraw the drug from the market. However, the DEA's lack of data on overdose cases necessitates a massive undertaking—a quest to uncover those who, despite adhering to prescriptions, still succumb to the drug's deadly embrace.
As the pinnacle of female authority within the force, Bridget's prominence catches the attention of Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who cunningly attempts to lure her into his fold, weaving her into the intricate web of Purdue Pharma. As his words echo, Bridget's eyes narrow perceptively, a dawning realization striking her that this web extends far and wide, encompassing the very heart of the government.
Time elapses swiftly, leaping forward three arduous years, revealing Rick and Randy immersed in a mountain of damning evidence against Purdue. Rick, in relentless pursuit of the decisive blow, turns his gaze inward, delving into the minds of physicians while meticulously tracking Jay McCloskey, the attorney whose fleeting appearance at the narrative's inception now holds the key.
Randy engages in a candid conversation with a physician confined behind bars, delving into the realm of blood charts. The doctor reveals a sinister truth—they were seduced by the allure of "smoother lines," a mirage of stability, whereas the reality was a treacherous plateau, marred by deceitful manipulation. Shockingly, the FDA's stamp of approval seems to have been granted with a willful blindness to this deception.
Emboldened by this revelation, the duo relentlessly hounds the blood charts that Purdue Pharma used as a charlatan's charm, flaunting them in Oxy's promotional campaigns and zealously employed by their sales representatives. When the FDA official beholds the damning evidence unearthed by Rick and Randy, his shock is palpable. It transpires that not only did they explicitly forbid Purdue from utilizing these charts, branding the "smoother lines" narrative as misleading, but they also dispatched a stern letter, admonishing sales reps to steer clear of such falsehoods.
Grasping the full extent of their case and the invaluable testimony of their star witness, the FDA official vows to testify before a grand jury, standing as a beacon of truth amidst the tempestuous waters of corruption.
Recall Jay McCloskey, the esteemed former US Attorney who has now taken up the mantle of defending Purdue Pharma? It's a revealing turn of events, underscoring the company's relentless pattern of buying off opponents with a slick veneer of silence, exemplified by McCloskey's unreturned calls.
Yet, the depths of Purdue's machinations run even deeper when we delve into the past, back to the year 2000. Imagine a sinister system in place, where emails, once read, vanished into thin air, their traces erased from the server, ensuring no evidence of wrongdoing lingered.
During this same period, Finnix's journey unfolds within the confines of the Knoxville clinic. Here, he embarks on a path prescribed by the doctor—a path paved with methadone, billed as the gateway to redemption. It's a rigorous routine, requiring his presence seven days a week, a testament to his commitment to overcome and forge ahead on the treacherous yet hopeful road to recovery.
Betsy's fate, alas, is marred by misfortune's hand. Despite casting her hopes to the heavens, the seductive grasp of Oxy proved too potent, leading her astray. Rather than succumbing to Oxy's lure, she veered dangerously towards heroin's embrace.
In the year 2002, Bridget's research unfolded with a twist that stunned all. The tally of overdose cases stood remarkably low, an anomaly largely attributed to the intricate dance of drug interactions. It seemed the FDA had orchestrated a silent symphony, approving Oxy's coexistence with other medications, shrouding the true toll.
That fateful evening, inspiration struck like a bolt from the blue. Bridget conceived a groundbreaking idea: to isolate the non-fatal drug cocktails, thereby revealing the grim reality of Oxy-related fatalities with stark clarity. As she delved deeper, the revelations were nothing short of jolting.
A staggering 464 deaths emerged from the shadows, and a chilling statistic echoed—98% of these tragic losses belonged to patients who had faithfully adhered to their prescribed Oxy regime. The victims were not reckless abusers but sufferers seeking solace from pain. Bridget's disbelief gave way to a fierce indignation. "I've got you now, you damnable deceivers!" she exclaimed, her words ringing out as the episode drew to a dramatic close.
