Veterans Betrayed: The Opioid Epidemic

The news cycle has moved on, but the scars of the opioid crisis remain etched deep in communities across California. Take a stroll down nearly any street in Sacramento, and you will see the human impact firsthand. This ongoing tragedy isn’t a natural disaster but a man-made one, fueled by a few power-driven pharmaceutical companies and influential consulting agencies that prioritized profit over lives. The resulting deaths are not just statistics; they represent lives cut short, dreams unfulfilled, and loved ones left in unimaginable pain.

The betrayal of our veterans is a particularly dark chapter in this story. Veterans, who have served our nation with honor, have found themselves victims of an opioid epidemic exacerbated by unscrupulous corporate practices. Pharmaceutical giants aggressively marketed opioids, downplaying their addictive potential and incentivizing doctors to overprescribe. These actions were calculated, driven by profit at the expense of human lives.

The role of consulting firms in this crisis cannot be overlooked. McKinsey & Company, for example, worked simultaneously for Purdue Pharma and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Investigative reporting has disclosed that McKinsey is under investigation for potentially exacerbating the opioid pandemic. They advised Purdue on increasing sales while encouraging opioid prescriptions for veterans. This strategy victimized our veterans to boost opioid sales. Few policymakers have shown true courage on this topic, with California Assemblyman Devon Mathis being a notable exception. He has publicly shared his concerns with McKinsey’s past work with Purdue Pharma.

Why didn’t anyone with regulatory or governmental authority question this relationship? The public deserves to know the nature of McKinsey’s consulting work and how potential conflicts were managed. Ignoring the role these companies played won’t bring back lives or erase the trauma experienced by families. However, it would send a chilling message that corporate greed can go unchecked.

The cost of ignoring the culpability of these companies is too high. Allowing these faceless corporations to fade into the background is not only an injustice to the victims but also a dangerous precedent that could perpetuate future public health tragedies. Bad actors and their collaborating partners need to be held accountable for the human loss caused by their selfish quest to increase sales and profit.

As the founder of Arrive Alive CA, I call on Congress to take decisive action. The opioid crisis among senior veterans is a call to action. We need transparency, accountability, and justice for those who have suffered. We owe it to our veterans, to the families torn apart by this crisis, and to future generations to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again.

One vital step in addressing this issue is the introduction of the Alternatives to Opioids (ALTO) in the VA Emergency Act, or the Alternatives to PAIN Act. This legislation promotes non-opioid pain management treatments within the VA healthcare system. By providing veterans with safer alternatives for pain management, we can reduce the risk of addiction and improve their overall quality of life. This Act represents a crucial move towards a more compassionate and responsible approach to pain management for our veterans.

It’s time to demand accountability from those who have prioritized profit over human lives. It’s time to protect our veterans and ensure they receive the care and respect they deserve. We must hold those responsible for this crisis accountable and prevent future public health disasters driven by corporate greed.