I never got above roxy's an opana but it's been 8 years clean for me, Brother 👍 the damn Subutex helped me. I NEVER took the subs as prescribed though , I took it at first then, I lowered it down on my own until no longer needed! The God Damned Dr. kept trying to push them on me. I simply took them as I felt the need then, Never went back to the Dr. Now my teeth are falling apart no matter how much I spend to try an save them. They say the suboxone does that, IDK
One of the unfortunate side effects of the entire opioid epidemic is that, now, people who legitimately need pain medication cannot get it or have great difficulty getting it.
So true. In many cases it causes those patients to get "illegal" meds or needlessly suffer. Do they really think that having people getting it from a person with no medical license or ethics is a better option?
The quality of Frontline documentaries is just… mindblowing. They set the bar so high, leaving PBS’s American Experience and Frontline as the super heavyweights in this category.
My aunt was on fentanyl patches for years, she had cancer. She ended up in a nursing home, they stopped her pain meds cold turkey and within 72 hours she was dead. She was 84 years old.
That is just inhumane and irresponsible! Who cares if an 84 year old was addicted to pain meds? Why should a person live their final years in pain? The pain probably killed your aunt. Awful death.
@@lynndinovo3500I think they don't care about her being on addictive meds, it's about employees using her meds. They take people off cause they think their employees might use it
Well I mean if you get caught with opioids without a prescription you get hit way more heavily than with weed. Weed in personal amounts is usually a misdomenor. Opiates are an instant felony. Only people who get felonies for weed are selling/moving huge amounts to sell or involved in other illegal stuff
Everything is upside down and the snide out. It is pathetic. The Cabal has keep real technology from us. Keep us dependent on dangerous drugs. Human nature is just that.,
@Yeah, I Know no, idiot.. everything is legal. As long as you have a prescription. But without prescription then no, percocets are very illegal such as heroin is. You're probably 12 tho so I understand the confusion.
I broke my wrist my freshman year of high school and had a doctor that gladly would give me way more pills then needed and I ended up hooked. Almost 7 yrs sober now
@@r0bmc745 i was the same, broke my back in high school...went from tramadol to tabs to blues in 5 years. I couldnt do it cold turkey, i had to take methadone but now im a year clean off methadone and feeling better and better each day...i still get kinda anxious but Kava extract helps with that.
When I was a teenager (20 years ago) my best friend had dental surgery, and was given an entire, full bottle of Vicodin. Needless to say, it was used more recreationally than medically. He even got a second full bottle after complaining about ongoing pain to the dentist. Two full bottles, when all he really needed was maybe 5 pills for pain management during the 48 hours following the surgery.
As someone who lost 4 friends to overdoses, it’s incredibly difficult to watch the demeanor of some of these people. There’s either a lack of remorse or in some cases outright bliss in knowing that they were making money off of people who were struggling. The way the nurse practitioner spoke was friggen disgusting
@@partyhardplayhardgaming8106 it has nothing to do with being "weak". That's the narrative and lie you've been fed by big pharma. Instead of admitting their drugs were addictive and killing people, they blamed the people.
@@partyhardplayhardgaming8106 the problem with your statement is I don't agree with the disease point of view because it's a choice that you decide to make however I do think that over extended periods of time you get kind of a form of possession it's kind of like the story in the Bible where it says you can remove the demon from your house it will roam to and fro looking for a home when it comes back to you if your house is not in order it will bring along with itself seven other demons stronger than itself and re-enter its home that's why every time someone relapses it's that much harder for them to get clean and that is a book quote out of a scientist / pastor named Robert Orem in Sarasota Florida and the name of his book is pharmakeia the spiritual dimension of drug use
Heather Alfonso’s entire demeanor is what terrifies me about the healthcare system. There’s a willful and snide lack of understanding that the shady profiteering she took part in was in any way out of line-and she’s only troubled that others profited more and she was shortchanged. So many troubled and morally skewed people in the population and a fair number are charged with caring for people at their most vulnerable moments.
I am so pissed. These men were charged 5 years or less in prison for starting the Opioid pandemic in America. If these same men were black, poor, and came from the inner cities, they would have been given life sentences. the hypocrisy is for real!
I’m going on 5 years clean, and still rebuilding my life after losing so much and dealing with so much pain but my children deserve a mother who is sober and present in their lives so I’m praying for all the addicts and ex-addicts struggling, just know that there is hope ❤️🙌🏽
Once we got legal cannabis in Montana, I was able to detox from legal opioids in 2016, and I did it on Twitter. Now, I'm permanently suspended by that app but still having a wonderful life without being constantly sedated. 💙 ☺️ Thanks for being here.
So called 'Health Practitioner' Heather Alfonso: "Duh, Screw the patients, show me the money. My kids are more important than there lives." What a despicable attitude for a healthcare provider.
also the "I got $83k, which isn't a lot considering how much everyone else made" -_- she destroyed so many lives and was only upset that she wasn't paid as much as other doctors for it. oh well, she's been charged to pay back $2.5 million. just desserts.
Whoever is fighting with their own demons I pray you get through it! I know sobriety is hard and I know some people feel it’s damn near impossible for them. Just please don’t give up on yourself 🙏
@O MillerO you will. Trust me. The trees will become greener, music will sound better. The smell of coffee and grass will be more profound. The way you view and cherish normal life will come back, I promise.
I watched this documentary because I wanted to understand the opioid epidemic in the US. I had seen the suffering users undergo but didn't quite get some of the factors contributing to it, the pharma angle, so to speak. Now it's clearer. It's sad and enrsging. Thank you PBS/Financial Times for this. piece.
What's more saddening is the US population percentage vs the world. Yet the US consumes almost 60%+ of the hard core painkillers. Imagine that. Look at the obesity epidemic, mental health epidemic. The US solution is: prescribe lots of Meds. Health Insurance is hard to obtain. Imagine if you have Weight or Mental Health challenges. Employers (under cover), will "call you back, once their decision is made". Which means thanks for applying but no, you don't get the job (in many cases). Someone may be trying to better themselves and need Health Coverage. Very sad situation.
It is very hard to understand the situation living outside the US. Many bad things are happening in my country but I cannot imagine something like that. It is just so different
Idk why drs are prescribing fentanyl. I am a chronic pain patient. I do not abuse drugs nor am I addicted and I cannot get pain meds for relief. I'm sick of hearing about opioid addicts. They are not mt problem. Chronic pain is.
Who is to say which person's pain is legitimate and which isn't? Drug control robs individuals of the freedom to make independent choices regarding the most critical healthcare issues. As far as I'm concerned, the buck stops with me on matters relating to my own health. I won't hesitate for one second to take whatever steps I must take in order to medicate my pain and enable myself to live a normal, healthy life. Life is too short to spend every day in bed moaning in pain waiting for a doctor to finally have enough empathy to put his license at risk for me.
@@johnlecoque9516 none of this is about pain except a pitch to make for selling everyone 2k dollars a day for something worth almost nothing in cost. this sold what you take because you have to for so much money that no one would have chosen this product.
@@timothybucky7170 , Yes , and what is being done Against the Disabled/ Chronic and Intractable Pain disease patients of the U.S. is Unconstitutional and a Human Rights Violation. The Insufferable Movement
@@LDuke-pc7kq Agreed, even though less than 1% of us with severe chronic pain abuse our prescriptions* and yet we are treated as criminals. The CDC didn't even bother to differentiate between pain patients & addicts... * excluding those who take a month's prescriptions with a bottle of wine to go home...
It's sad that Diana Hampton died like that. Casting her as simply a victim that was better off dying than being exposed is ridiculous. I remember reading about her having an innovative approach to veteran drug cases, although it's not easy to find the source anymore. It's bad enough drug users are told both they have a disease and that they're going to jail which will somehow help them. When the person signing the warrant and overseeing your conviction is committing the same so-called crimes, you realize your being held accountable by conviction was a complete farce. We met once, she was nice. She didn't deserve to die and it wasn't better for her to die. It would have been better she survived, come to her senses, and we could have had a long discussion on one of the many hypocrisies of our government.
Unfortunately I have lost all trust in doctors, whenever I find myself hearing a pitch for some new drug they want to prescribe me, I tell them I need at least a week to do my own research on what exactly it is because I don’t trust all the praises a doctor will give. People should always be extra careful and have time to do their own research.
@ Melissa Skillens You're doing it backwards. Do your research first, going into a Drs' office allowing them to know you know what you're doing - and tell them what you want. And why.
Lizzie Sangi Someone would have to go to school for years to be that level of prepared. Say someone goes in with gastrointestinal trouble. Do you really expect a lay person to be well-versed on all the classes of meds that treat such a condition? It makes more sense for the person to do more research after the fact. That way, when the patient hears, “I want to recommend [a new proton pump inhibitor,” the patient can go home l, do their research, and see the doctor is pushing a brand new expensive one rather than one with the same mechanism of action that is 100x cheaper. There are just too many complexities for a patient to be knowledgable on everything before the visit.
Every day and every week there is always some new drug being advertised on television. I'm sure you've seen them during your time off from work or during the evenings when your winding down after work. Makes one wonder if these brand new drugs really do what they're designed to do even with the wide range of side effects.
Basically he was angry that there weren’t enough patients experiencing unbearable pain to make his sublingual fentanyl launch “successful.” 1. That’s disgusting. 2. Try doing some market research ahead of development.
So if there weren't enough pain, you will create pain. These chemicals are like the new world spice traders: Tobacco Spice Tulips Sugar Corn syrup Cotton Coffee Chocolate Opium ... And now Fentanyl
we have to create a hole to fill which doesn't really exist, and we will call it loneliness. then we will create the cure and sell it the masses...and we shall call it Love.
Before my back surgery, I was prescribed 60 percocet every month for three months. SIXTY. My back surgery was scheduled for that third month. I started taking the pills for the pain and slowly found myself wanting one even when I wasn't in pain. I couldn't wait to get home and take a pill even when my pain wasn't that bad. I got scared because I knew I was slowly forming an addiction. I flushed what I had left and chickened out with the surgery. Four years later in 2021, I finally decided to have the surgery but I found a new and more reputable surgeon who didn't prescribe me any pain meds before the surgery, and I was completely ok with that. After my surgery, he only gave me enough for 1 week and it was very do-able for me.
@@brownjames3420 yup, I remember the night I said I'll stop and then woke up middle of the night with massive panic and everything feeling all messed up. that's how I knew I no longer had a choice.
Did you ever hear of disabled Americans who actual need these medications? Prescribing these medications for those that need them is a tremendous act of compassion. The problem is people who don't need them working hard to be prescribed these medications. You cant blame a doctor for believing someone whose acting just like a disabled person who is in terrible pain.
“This additional money was something I needed”. But she was a health professional!? Shouldn’t they only prescribe medicine if really needed and in the best interest of the patient?
Well like the sales VP said, they targeted medical professionals who were vulnerable. When people lack money and when they can get away with it, their integrity gets compromised. There are always gonna be some doctors who will do that.
I'm 3 months sober from black tar heroin. I no longer take suboxen either. I finally feel normal and I'm happy. It did not happen over night and it was a struggle but it is possible that's all I want to say
I've never taken subs for a long time until now..I been on it since may 2020 when I detox now I take a 1/4 am and pm..half a strip a day..I took vivitrol for 4 months and relapsed..this time I hàd to stay on subs to keep me safe and now I do want to get off bc it makes me feel like shit even that Lil bit but I have to know I'll be ok
These meds have given me a large part of my life back. After 20+ spinal surgeries and procedures have left me with scar tissue limiting my movement cause of pain. Addiction, is a side effect that is not a concern for people like me, as I will never live another day without this medication. As soon as I'm not able to control my pain through medical means, is the day my grave should be dug
From Louisiana, it's nearly impossible to get medication that we need including me. Unless a miracle happens in this industry many people will still suffer everyday. God bless.
@@leespence9869 I have unbelievable anxiety every time I go to get my medication waiting for the pharmacist to give some excuse as to why it can't be filled we shouldn't have to live this way there is medication available to people that truly need it but it's a fight month to month and sometimes day to day to get people to understand what we go through it's not how we should have to live
mamie monrovia : I agree- cable is insanely expensive. We have always had the ‘basic’ cable plan- no extras like HBO, etc. and our bill is still ridiculously high (and whenever the bill increases because a promo expires, I negotiate it down to a more reasonable cost). Satellite TV isn’t really an option for us (not sure if it costs less). At one point, Comcast was the only cable provider where we lived. Finally AT&T became available, and we switched. But it’s basically a monopoly where I live - you have 2 options, that it- which basically allows the 2 companies to charge whatever they want.
@@mamiemonrovia7654 SO AGREE & some think Im crazy. I tell them theyre crazy for paying all that $$ monthly for something I can get off the internet for free!
People of high status overdose everyday in this country. It’s when they overdose & DIE that the headlines are made. Perhaps if thousands more “high status people” overdose & die this War on Drugs might be impacted positively(?)
My dad and brother died from Dr. Holper's fentanyl prescriptions and that doctor went to prison after finally killing a judge with his fentanyl prescriptions.
There is a lot to said about this. Disconnect is one of them but also all of this people have no moral, is almost like they are no humans. I don't believe the female Dr. That had her head cover. She has no remorse about the whole situation, incredible!
The company provides the product and the Dr decides how much to give the patient with instructions. If the patient doesn't follow it, that's on them. It's cold be hey were adults here.
They don't give a fuck. As long as they got their greedy hands on that all mighty dollar, they could care less about what happened to their consumers..... oh excuse me "patients". 😐
I’m in Florida. I saw firsthand what these pain pill mill Doctors did to people. So many people have died and countless lives destroyed due to addiction. Dr. John Kapoor deserves to spend decades in prison. He is a menace to society. The fallout from the opioid epidemic will take generations to wade through.
Same, but in Southern Cali :/ fent is the new heroin there and sadly me and many many many people I know and don’t know, personally, got stuck in it. Drugs do NOT discriminate!! It can be ANYONE, it isn’t a certain type of people, but especially people with untreated non/severe mental health issues :( it’s so sad
As a “victim” of the “ opioid crisis” I am unable to get the medicines I need to have SOME quality of life, due to DEA OVERREACH AND CDC’s “Guidelines” (not laws!) meant for the opioid naive patient-AND WHICH GUIDELINES SPECIFICALLY STATE NOT MEANT FOR LONG-TERM CHRONIC PAIN PATIENTS, CANCER PAIN, SICKLE CELL DISEASE, POST-SURGICAL PAIN, HOSPICE. Unfortunately, we’ve all been thrown into the “addict” category. Can you IMAGINE a hospice patient dying in excruciating pain, and have a nurse say, “Well, you don’t want to die AN ADDICT, DO YOU?” True story. My God! Show MERCY to the suffering! This is cold-blooded MURDER. The pendulum has swung too far in the opposite direction, and killing people by withholding pain medicines. And THIS IS BEING TAUGHT TO OUR YOUNG INTERNS-your children’s future “caretakers.” BE AFRAID. BE VERY AFRAID.
@@gailmarie4039 there’s still red vein kratom u can get at any gas station if it came down to it. Another reason why all drugs Need to b legalized u made a great point for that
Lost my brother to this a few years ago. 💔 it will forever change your life & your families. If you catch you child using opiates, nip it as soon as possible, pay attention to the signs, & focus on their sobriety for 2 years! That's how long it takes mentally to not go back to using.
If ibogaine were legalized and regulated, we wouldn't have this crisis. Unfortunately, the people involved with the addiction treatment industry are even more corrupt than this pharmaceutical company. That might not sound right to people, but the opioid crisis is a result of the addiction treatment industry. It's gone from virtually unheard of, to a 42 BILLION DOLLAR A YEAR INDUSTRY in a matter of less than ten years, and has projections for unprecedented growth in the next 5 years. Recently Anna Lembke said she became "addicted to" reading teen vampire romance novels. You can't become addicted to reading. But Lembke wants avid readers, people who masturbate regularly, people who watch porn, and of course people struggling with substance use in addiction treatment. I could say more but I'll leave it there.
Indeed. Back pain and the associated leg and foot pain from spinal stenosis is one example. Destroyed discs and sciatic nerves can never be repaired and there is a limit in how many laminectomies you can undergo.
My spine needs to be rewired. The 90 mg/day presribed mostly morphine and oxy still will not let me even stand up without pain. Helps a bit only. I'm 72 yrs old. Am glad cannabis is legal where I live, to help sleep
@Joey Dunlop you have obviously never had to deal with this. My sister has been prescribed pain medication for almost 4 years by her doctors for a serious illness. She takes her medication per instructions, and in no way wants to have to take these pills yet has no option. She was told point blank by a doctor that once she no longer needs them he will have to taper her down or she will 100 % go on to buying off the streets due to the body becoming addicted. Luckily her doctor will help. Not everyone has that kind of doctor which leads to buying off the street. So no not everyone is begging for more and more. Do some research and stop being so judge mental
@Joey Dunlop I actually do have first hand experience, but that is my business, and I can say I’ve never been happy about the situation. I had to try more than once to get off the prescribed medication without going crazy from withdrawals. Everyone is different not all addicts want to live that life, and that is first hand knowledge
Will Lyman (the narrator) is an absolute PBS classic, reminds me of watching documentaries as a little kid. I genuinely think that without PBS this country would be in a far worse state than it is, it's not just about public media, it's about public media that serves the people.
This brings back so many painful memories. I was one of those people waiting in line to get my opioid prescription. Thank God I was able to get through all that and lead a somewhat productive life. Although it's extremely hard sometimes. I feel that the damage I've done will follow me the rest of my life. I can only hope that more people are able to wean off and stay clean so they can get on with their lives. 🙏
As someone who was fighting a 5+ yr addition to a lot of prescription painkillers I totally understand your concern. Big pharma will always care about the profits no matter what. I’m 7yrs sober now and was able to get back everything I lost with interest… and now I have a lot more than what I had before I started doing them… stay strong friend! Every day sober is a gift.
I was in a bad way with my addiction to Oxycodone. A drug called Soboxone saved me. The first time I took it I knew I'd found my savior. Some people who don't understand will say I just traded one addiction for another. That isn't the case.
Extremely addictive fentanyl: exists Heather Alfonso: what "lines"? The speaker's money changes my prescription. I'm just gonna prescribe whatever gives me more cash.
She’s evil. She’s only angry that she didn’t make more money. Totally evil and insane and stupid. But at least she went on camera to give us all an insight into the mindset of the people writing prescriptions. I worked as an administrator in the healthcare profession for over a decade, and it sadly doesn’t shock me to see doctors with no ethics. Many are corrupt. And just throwing prescriptions at patients is the norm now. It’s the profit model.
You know those type of questions like "is stealing wrong" on questionnaires? She's the type that would struggle with such a question. Total psychopath.
This video popped up in my YT suggestions today the very day I am clean of opiates for 5 years. My neighbor is a prison guard and he claims that Fentanyl is more addictive than heroin. After surviving colon cancer and being on heavy duty opiates I agree. All I can say is: "But for the grace of God" there I go.
@Maxwell agreed. HOWEVER these medications are needed by many people. myself included. due to health issues, which because of when it was EASY to get them, made a bunch of junkies. yes there are alternatives, being on a fixed income, many of those arent covered by my insurance. this is a MAJOR mess which will take time to correct. time to get the ball rolling.
Never happen Corporations Pay Lobbyists Who Manipulate Politicians who appoint Judge's that make Certain their Wealth,Power and Freedom Stays Protected. Only Poor Minorities amd the Powerless go to Prison and serve Long Sentences and Sometimes Life for a Small Fraction of the Tons of Drugs and Misery these Devils Pushed.
@@Gcanno both sides so this sadly my friend. No innocent parties. I stand by saying the junkies screw my chance of getting the help I need for my chf , diabetes as well as multiple other health issues. And I was born with the type one diabetes
the real criminals are the government for privatizing healthcare and pharmaceuticals! These ridiculous for-profit systems are just begging for companies to commit fraud, and then people are shocked at the "evil big pharma" execs. Give me a break... they were despicable, yes, but only got that far because of how the government structures these sectors.
As a chronic pain sufferer and currently have a constant headache/migraine since March 26 2018. It averages a level 3. I now never say itvis a 10, because there is a spike that is worse than the last spike. I also have lower spine pain. I have zero nerve reflex in both arms and both legs. I have went from working 72 hrs per week to 30 hrs a week. I have never liked alcohol and have never done nothing heavier than Marijuana as a teen in the 80s. After joining army I never touched drugs of any kind. It took me 12 years and three doctors before I was able to get pain meds. Now I take 1 5mg oxycodone every eight hours. I have to choose between working or sleeping. I need two oxys and two flexeril to either get 3 to 4 hrs of work or 2 to 3 hours of sleep. I have no idea if or when I will get a dosage increase and/or pills per day. I have bipolar is one issue that is flagging the government, which is imposing requirements that need to be met before any positive changes. I never get a "high" from my pain meds, I do get a high from the flexeril. Asva pain sufferer with bipolar suicide is a frequent battle. My wife, daughters, grandchildren, and my faith in God our creator and Saviour is what keeps me from suicide. The government needs to make some guideline changes that makes it easier for people who have no history of alcohol or drug abuse to get opioid meds for pain treatment.
Wow! Some of the people they interviewed are remarkably honest and frank about what they were doing. Either they've come to terms and accepted how bad it was, or they are truly remorseless!
They're truly remorseless they didn't serve any time for a crime they're still Rich they don't give a shit how many people they killed! Now you take a small time drug dealer just trying to make a living they get 20 years plus, these suits get five years and under and probably didn't serve half of that!
Once these Illegal drug lab Owners, Dealers & Smugglers ENJOY THEIR EASY- MAKING WEALTH, THERE IS "NO REMORSE" EVEN They are Caught & Jailed & Soon the Corrupt U.S. Justice System WILL RELEASE THEM, So the CONVICTED DRUG- OFFENDERS WILL RESUMED THEIR DRUG BUSINESS AGAIN. When CAUGHT Again, it Serve & Activate the Law- enforcement System of the US Govt to keep Govt- Employees Working. --No Ending Solution in U.S. CRIMINALITY WORLD.
No they are the worst of the worst,first they did what they knew was wrong,then when they got caught they rat everyone else out to save themselves and did,why would you like about it now 😂 Lol,of course they are going to be up front bc now they get paid again for their story, lifetime crooks and our system let's them get away with it
Truly remorseless and still out there running scheme on ppl, I'm sure. They got off because they told all. They have nothing to hide now and why try it's public knowledge. Lying on here would be pointless and ridiculous, best believe though, they aren't now honest ppl.
Jeez - between this and the "what went wrong?" doc - you guys are crushing it. Please stay balanced and opinion free - what the world needs is just the facts.
I grew up around people who became addicts that went to prison under mandatory minimum sentencing. They served more time than him. His sentence was an absolute slap in the face to all Americans.
Exactly my take away... 5 1/2 years? Are you fucking joking? Thats 3 served with good behavior. How many died? How many lives ruined from addiction? How many more lives negatively impacted by loved one being addicted? How much time and money spent on salaries of FBI agents and support staff, judicial system staff, medical staff, counselors, treatment centers, employers, landlords, caregivers, support givers, froends, lovers, kids, and on and on and on. Five and a half years. Why fucking bother! What a disgrace. What a pathetic joke our criminal justice system has become. What bullshit we've been told since birth that no one is above the law. Hahaha! LIES! TRUMP WALKS FREELY IN SOCIETY TODAY, 9.12.22 AND THIS JERK GETS 5 YRS. TRUMP HAS OVER A MILLION AMERICAN DEATHS ON HIS HANDS FROM GROTESQUE MISHANDLING OF CV19, 30K+ LIES, AND NOW STOLEN CLASSIFIED DOCS SEIZED AT MARA LAGO! NUKE DOCS FOR SALE! MENACE TO SOCIETY! OUR PPE
RE comments about people with legitimate pain: I agree you shouldn’t be denied meds to treat it, just beware that opioid addiction is going to happen to you no matter your situation because once it binds with the receptors and they are taken away, you will be in withdrawal. It is fact based in science. I’ve seen many people with real pain become addicted. I wish there were more ways to help you. Much love to you all.
although blunt, i appreciated the willingness of Heather Alfonso to be shamelessly honest and just say out loud the ugly truths regarding the nature of the situation instead of trying to wrap it up in a pretty box or tap dance around it
I'm a legitimate chronic pain patient and have been for years. Issues like this makes it harder for me to get what I need to survive. I've had two hip surgeries, including a total hip replacement, and the hip replacement is now loosening. I also have chronic back pain bc I walked on a deteriorating hip for years. This caused me to get two herniated discs and scoliosis. I need medication and these people have made me go through hell every 30 days when it's time for me to pick up my medication as well as monthly when I need to talk to my doctor. This isn't fair - especially since I'm just one of MILLIONS who deal with this!
a couple of these fucking junkie recovery post seriously pissed me off, and thats how i coped with the pain, all i had was hatred and testosterone to sedate the pain i suffered. i was only able to get meds for 6 months, after 2 years my pain was mostly gone, it took 4 years to be down to maybe once a month i have a problem walking. being treated like a junkie. losing damn near all my friends and even tying the rope around my neck.
So true. My doctor took me off it. No recourse, no alternative choices. I dumped my doctor. I do use an alternative and the doctor I use doesn't like it, but legally cannot do anything because our state approved medical Marjauana.
I celebrate 2 years clean and sober from heroin and fentanyl this coming January. My addiction started when my doctor prescribed me ten 30m Percocet each day. After 4 years her license was revoked band I was already using heroin. I eventually became homeless and lost all will to live. I overdosed a couple times on purpose and became even more depressed when I couldn't even manage to overdose and die. Finally God spoke to me one day and a light in me ignited, I reached out for help and here I am now living my best life. It can happen, we do recover. The pharmacudical industry put profits over life. I'm glad some bare being held accountable.
Lexi Cat humanity is long gone the governments have always been the head of drug dealing, we live in a world that is just about money nothing more, we just pawns in reality to them, their drugs cause cancer then when we die our organs are sold illegally, can’t hide from our impurities of congested lies and disgust to humanity.
Exactly! And more than half of the time people are overdosing on FENTYNAL or some other street drug! I've been on Tylenol#4 for 29yrs and I am a certified pain patient. But we get treated as if we're crack addicts and we have legitimate needs!!!
Butter Pecan pain patients are treated like inmates on parole having to take drug tests. I wasn’t having it. I slowly got of the pills and went to natural medication. It’s terrible
I have an idea. Why don't you start your own pharmaceutical. There certainly enough people out there like yourself who don't believe in free markets to get together and invest your money, your time, and your swear into starting your own company. This way you could give all your drugs away and sprinkle a little sugar on each capsule. But you and other free market critics will never do it yourselves. Instead, you want to criticize the end result of someone else's efforts when you couldn't begin to approach their competence or their good they do for society. So you want to take it away from them and give it away to others. Or, force them to. Easy to be sanctimonious. Difficult to actually contribute to society.
Never forget- the medical industry also provides us with life saving medicine. Try putting a price tag on your life. I spend $7 a month on high blood pressure medication. I think it's worth it.
My husband was on 1600 mcg 5 times a day. It was the only thing that gave him any relief from cancer. This is the way pharma it $$$ for newly branded drugs. How can anyone tell someone how much pain is expectable .
I hope every person that fought to take away the meds pain patients needed get the most devastating life long pain condition and is denied pain control!
I know of a case of a demonstrator against opioids--she and her fellow demonstrators had managed to get a law passed in her area, making it almost impossible for anyone to get opioid treatment. A few months later, she was in a terrible car accident and found herself stuck permanently with serious chronic pain. She tried and tried, but no doctor would prescribe her opioids! The last I heard, she was applying for a medical marijuana card. I hope it worked out for her.
I have been in pain since 1999. Everytime I have went to a doctor for help I was met by rudeness even screaming despite my xrays mri's catscans they didnt care 😢 so here I am suffering everyday. They say take tylenol and motrin.
Truth Teller switch to kratom. It seriously helps with pain. It can be bought over the counter at cigarette store, gas stations, or vape shops. Just search kratom in your city.
I had major surgery six days ago. Leaving the hospital, I was given only two days worth of painkillers... due to other people’s bad choices and irresponsibly. I’m in so much pain.
Look into kratom if you're still suffering. I quit heroin thanks to Kratom and it kept me outta pain ( I have two herniated disks, hurts like shit,and I'm a busboy. I need to find a career cause bussing tables is literally killing me but the cash is not bad)
I have chronic pain due to a Motor vehicle accident where I lost my parents and have scars on my lower back and thighs. For me its about quality of life and trying to live with pain. I'm 37 now I've been taking vicodin for 7 years. This has made it harder on patients that have to live with chronic pain.
25 years in tech sales leadership here, and I would never engage in such slimmy & repulsive sales tactics - for ANY amount of that filthy money... Bribery is NOT selling, it's paying someone to buy from you! PS: The "Dr" with the animal print scarf has zero remorse for willfully breaching her Hippocratic Oath. I find her actions FAR more repulsive than any of these Sales Account Executives.
To hear the one guy say “we were almost as bad as heroin street dealers” is insane. Speaking from years of experience I can say fentanyl is leagues worse than average regular heroin without tampering. All these doctors are 100% at fault for today’s opiate epidemic! Not just fentanyl but OxyContin, oxycodone, hydrocodone, hydromorphine…
Not all pain doctors are guilty of this crime. And let’s not forget the people who take drugs just to get high. They started down the road to addiction on their own, with their eyes open. They are responsible for their own mistakes.
These guys were like heroin dealers on steroids. I’m also a recovering heroin addict and I can tell you I’d rather deal w/9 out of 10 heroin dealers on the streets than this bunch of greedy sharks. Now, meth dealers…that’s perhaps a different story. 😆
@@Loveoldies50 The fact is that a lot of people using heroin and fentanyl on the streets these days started after a surgery or for whatever “medical” reason thousands of ethically-challenged doctors started overprescribing them opioids bc of the financial incentives in doing so. Did you not watch this video? Giving opioids to tons of people for the first time unnecessarily or in dosages larger than necessary is a prescription for disaster because, and pay attention here, a percentage of those people are genetically prone to addiction, which makes it more likely that they will turn in to full blown addicts. The whole morality argument is outdated, ignorant, and, beyond all that, accomplishes nothing in addressing the mess of addiction going on in this country. The AMA declared it a brain disease back in the 1950s. And, for the record, I’ll explain this as well: once a person starts engaging in heavy regular drug use, it alters their brain chemistry, which makes them act in selfish, irrational ways. And for the ones that didn’t start using bc of a doctor (and more likely at least to some degree of peer pressure)…many of these people started using in their youth, some at less than 10 years of age…did you ever make any misguided, foolish mistakes when you were young? If you say you didn’t, guess what? I don’t believe you.
EVA Braun ask for her Chamber potty to be EMPTY U see when idiot focus on Karen BY Kbutzboi architectural design🐩🐩🐩88 In 14 days be sunshine Somewhere 09A fire scorch marginal man
America was started by a bunch of spoiled rich kids brainwashed in college who had no respect for their king. For criminals by criminals. What did they train you to think in school?
As a grade schooler, in 1986 I went on a field trip to Enterprise Square in Oklahoma. I remember at the entrance they had a huge digital “National Debt” ticker blazing through numbers.
Got back on suboxone to keep foodstamps, couldnt get to doctor in time. Now penalised for two yrs before i can recieve benefits. I now weigh 96lbs,i dont have 2 yrs, thanks dusty johnson for taking my last lifeline away.
Thank God you're alive. My nephew recently died from fentnyl and another nephew's wife as well and before that her mother died from an overdose. My reasoning has always been, the easiest way to quit anything is just don't start. No smoking, no drinking, no drugs and so on. I'm 76 and it's still working.
I’m a chronic pain patient. My pain is so severe that if it weren’t for my family I’d have checked out if you know what I mean. I suffered without any help for years and years until I was referred to pain management. There’s a very very low incidence of patients with real chronic pain becoming dug addicts in the street sense not physical sense. I don’t get high. My meds just take the edge off. I live in bed. My life is hellish.
So what if we're addicted? We aren't shop lifting or robbing people. Most of us are still working relieved of the pain. I was able to run my business and working to pull cable for voice and data networking systems until I could retire. These drugs are not always a bad thing. Productive people are so because they want to be. Pain relief makes that possible.
The one former sales rep guy got big ol eye balls. what’s he on? Lol Med reps wine and dine docs and their offices. As a medical cleaner like clockwork we threw so much food away. they ate good every day, all on dime of medical reps and their company. With fentanyl crisis going on people buying sus drugs from dealers. I find this fascinating the origins of the epidemic.
@@CriticalSurvival0 but for some of us that have tried every other route it is a God send. I've had multiple back surgeries and due to a Dr putting off my herniated disc surgery due to the Christmas holidays I lost use of my legs and have nerve damage in both legs and the never ending pain. I have had spinal fusions, 4 spinal epidurals ( 2 were tainted injections from New England Compounding Center that killed many pain patients) . I have had PT , some that made me worse. The best medication I had was fentynal, which was given after one if my fusiins, I was given 5 pathches but only used 2 as I know the downside as well. So I'm not a drug seeker. Opiods made it possible for me to get out with a cane but since CDC cut back now I sit in one chair. I cry in the shower, I cry in bed, I rarely see friends or grandkids. There are bad Dr's but I am suffering, I have no life so my good Dr knows I need help but due to overreaction I am being tortured. I'm not living, I'm waiting to die. I even had a spinal cord stimulator which helps but not enough to get me out walking.
@@dancinditedforyears6736 I stopped reading when i saw "every other route." No one ever tries every route. I said it once and ill say it again: There are hundreds of effective ways to manage pain without shoving the worlds strongest most addictive chemicals into your body. This is why the American lifestyle really is gross. We destroy our bodies with terrible food and jobs that cripple us and when we are broken and dying of cancer of course opioids sound good. We have had an appetite for opium since the mid 1900s and it wont stop until we introduce a new generation to the idea that no one needs these drugs really. It seems to me that you are just a slave to the medical industrial complex.
@@plutotech Cannabis, Healthy eating, Coco leaves. Thats just three want some more? I might even find a natural medicine as strong as heroin. Probably not.
Detroit FettyGhost so sorry to hear the sad stories! Keep going though. Never give up! Keep going day by day everyday is a mental battle but you are strong enough💪🏼🙏🏼
I'm very sorry for your loss and I mean that from the bottom of my heart, however attacking the pharmaceutical industry, professionally licensed doctors, licensed pharmacists, and most importantly chronic pain patients whom are suffering from horrific lifelong painful diseases who depend on opioid medications are not to blame. You are after the wrong target. The correct target would be: the illicit illegal drug trade, clandestine chemists, the entire transportation industry and security of this country for allowing the dangerous entry of these illicit illegal designer street drugs into our country. The pharmaceutical companies are only the target because there is documentation, a paper trail and most of all money, billions of dollars. The FDA approved the use of powerful opioids for the care of cancer and chronic pain patients. I am a chronic pain patient and these medications have saved my life. Without them, I would be a vegetable and bed-ridden, not living. My spinal diseases are of no fault of my own. Statistically, less than 1% of all chronic pain patients have an OUD disorder, and .000001% of pain patients allow for diversion of their medications. The problem is NOT chronic pain patients, their highly skilled and trained physicians or the pharmacists. The problem is illegal drug trade. If you never acknowledge the source, the problem will never be addressed. The 2016 CDC opioid guidelines have stripped patients of their rights to proper medical care because of people taking and dying from illicit illegal drug consumption. I will repeat what a reliable source once said to me: "Anytime anything is consumed into the body, there is a risk. Anything, even massive amounts of water. There is no way to say any medication/drug is 100% safe. Many people are now dying from liver toxicity from consuming Tylenol trying to help with their pain and it's killing them." Your son may have died from an overdose, we are very sympathetic to that, but now many people are dying from the side effects of uncontrolled pain. So as a result of drug deaths, many innocent people are now paying the price: with their lives. 2 wrongs don't make a right. Please continue your fight against the illicit illegal drug trade, the drugs coming illegally from China and Mexico is what is killing drug abusers, it's NOT legally prescribed prescription drugs.
Quite clear that Alec B still has no conscience. He's just happy he got such a short sentence and gets to go back to his cushy life. Murderer should have gotten life in prison.
I watched my dad do oxycontin and morphine for years...one day my mom told him if he did one more, we were gone. He got up, flushed them and never touched another one. It is possible.
This kind of thing is as old as time itself. It's starts as something good, to help people. Then somewhere along the way it morphs into this screwed up, sinister thing. This dude initially wanted to help. Then greed got ahold of him.
I'll agree with most of the other commenters on here that this is hands down one of the best documentaries that I have seen on this particular subject. Congrats to PBS for showing us that it is still possible to report news and keep opinions out of it. Very refreshing in our divided country. I was absolutely sickened at some of the things that I learned as I'm sure most of you were especially the bonuses and payouts for convincing doctors to increase their doses. That absolutely should be prosecuted as criminal behavior. As a chronic pain sufferer myself I can understand that these medicines can if taken properly and at the prescribed times be beneficial however one must always weigh the pros and cons of anything. There are some people that will be more prone to addiction than others. If you're in a chronic pain situation my advice would be to start as low as you possibly can and take the medicine as it is prescribed. To me that's the best way to determine whether or not you will become to dependent or addicted on something. I enjoy reading from other commenters that also are in chronic pain situations and love to hear opinions about how they are dealing with their situations as well. Blessings to all stay safe and healthy.
PBS is probably the only one in the US that shows the least amount of errors in its documentaries. Just a few days back, however, in another PBS FRONTLINE documentary, it made an obvious and major mistake, if you care to watch and spot it. (P.S. And, here I am not going to tell you which one documentary, and where the obvious and major mistake is. I will let you find out yourself. The reason it is obvious is simply because what was claimed to have happened never happened, and yet the narrative in the documentary did not do anything about it, just letting it stay there!) In China there are great documentaries as well, only that they may not suit your personal favorite or you find them of little value to you for whatever reason. I know that there are many that are great, because I have watched many of them. (By the way, I speak and read 5 major languages of this contemporary world. That is why I can watch them.) As far as one is concerned, these days there just aren't that many documentaries that are trust-worthy and accurate, especially on some major points of contentions, and major events. By the way, no country is perfect. If you find Chinese media sucks, why you don't make some real decent videos that do NOT suck, especially as you are a youtuber as you claimed? One would be eager to find out how much your videos do not suck.
This is the American Dream: Make profits and get rich, in whichever way possible, no matter what, regardless of the people that get squashed and the lives that get destroyed on the way.
My mom abused opioids for years and it all started with her doctor who over-prescribed Oxycontin. A doctor is someone who you're taught is supposed to be trustworthy, so she did he said and took her medications that he prescribed. I don't know the reasons why this man over-prescribed such a dangerous drug, but my personal opinion is that he may have done it because of some kind of monetary incentive from the drug company. In that case, he very, very likely was doing to many more patients. However, I can't prove any of this. I just know how it affected me and my mom personally.
Yes, We need to place a lot of blame on DRs. However there must be some amount of peronal accountability. If you a intelligent person , you do not just blindly listen to your doctor. Also, whenever a DR prescribes you something, you should do your research. Idk how some just blindly pops a pill without doing research.
I at one time had become addicted to fentanal patches. I remember this because i would wear one patch for three days, as required, then put a new one on. The problem was i would still leave the previous patch on so as to get every once i could. What broke this habit was i became allergic to the addhesive on the patches. I had to go through withdrawl before my doctor would put me on another druf for chronic pain managent. I'm very lucky to have survived this powerful drug.
Yes they do, now you can’t get a good brand! I on pain medicine for 10 years and oxycodone brand are very bad then pharmacy can’t keep them in stock USA suck !
Yes they do, but this documentary was about so much more if you heard that. People have become hopelessly addicted, lost everything and died because of this epidemic. Opioids do not have a place being pushed on people for profit. Of course it’s helpful for those who need them, but some people do ruin it all for everyone else. And it’s not the addicts who ruined everything, it’s these doctors.
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
Im a recovering fentnyl addict from south Florida and i have a year and 5 months clean
Good for you man. Hopefully your still there.
Congrats bro keep it up. This shit is killing like generations worth of people now. Its fuckin hard to stay sober, but life is worth living.
Well done. Dade City. Me 2.. all of above.. 2.5 yes subby's saved me...
Keep on fighting. One day at a time. I've got 10 years clean.
I never got above roxy's an opana but it's been 8 years clean for me, Brother 👍 the damn Subutex helped me. I NEVER took the subs as prescribed though , I took it at first then, I lowered it down on my own until no longer needed! The God Damned Dr. kept trying to push them on me. I simply took them as I felt the need then, Never went back to the Dr.
Now my teeth are falling apart no matter how much I spend to try an save them. They say the suboxone does that, IDK
One of the unfortunate side effects of the entire opioid epidemic is that, now, people who legitimately need pain medication cannot get it or have great difficulty getting it.
So true. In many cases it causes those patients to get "illegal" meds or needlessly suffer. Do they really think that having people getting it from a person with no medical license or ethics is a better option?
Exactly. most of the people who are overdosing are getting their drugs off the streets from cartels
@@pneulancer definitely not today 2022 we have so many pill mills / pill presses and they use fentanyl and today people drop like flies
Which is the reason we are in a heroin/fet epidemic bc doctors now underwrite or dont even prescribe it for fear of being arrested
Cvs sucks
The quality of Frontline documentaries is just… mindblowing. They set the bar so high, leaving PBS’s American Experience and Frontline as the super heavyweights in this category.
They're BBC-level quality - the highest praise for TV docs.
Agree! All aspects (reporting, narrative, cinematic) this story was riveting.
Dude we know it's good that's why we're here. Either contribute to the topic or stop clogging servers
Could not agree more
@@towedarray7217 I am an opioid
My aunt was on fentanyl patches for years, she had cancer. She ended up in a nursing home, they stopped her pain meds cold turkey and within 72 hours she was dead. She was 84 years old.
That's messed up. "we can't treat you because we don't trust our employees"...
That is just inhumane and irresponsible! Who cares if an 84 year old was addicted to pain meds? Why should a person live their final years in pain? The pain probably killed your aunt. Awful death.
@@lynndinovo3500I think they don't care about her being on addictive meds, it's about employees using her meds. They take people off cause they think their employees might use it
WTF why would they do that? I hope you sued the nursing home.
I mean if I live to 99 I'm getting an opiate addiction@@lynndinovo3500
Meanwhile millions in jail for cannabis related crimes, pathetic world.
@Lazar Cvetkovic It's always about $$$$$ .
Well I mean if you get caught with opioids without a prescription you get hit way more heavily than with weed.
Weed in personal amounts is usually a misdomenor.
Opiates are an instant felony.
Only people who get felonies for weed are selling/moving huge amounts to sell or involved in other illegal stuff
Jeffrey, it is the US (!), not the world. Here in Germany there are no ppl in jail for canabis.
Everything is upside down and the snide out. It is pathetic. The Cabal has keep real technology from us. Keep us dependent on dangerous drugs. Human nature is just that.,
Actually it's a pathetic America!
5 and a half years for the top man when other heroin dealers get life, where's the justice in that?
Heroin dealers are just carrier mules who get arrested in airports!! Top men/kingpin hire best lawyers or even bribe judges to get lenient charges!!
@Yeah, I Know no, idiot.. everything is legal. As long as you have a prescription. But without prescription then no, percocets are very illegal such as heroin is. You're probably 12 tho so I understand the confusion.
@Yeah, I Know Yes really. Heroin used to be sold over the counter at your local pharmacy way back when it was first created.
@Yeah, I Know heroin is sometimes prescribed, medical name diacetylmorphine
He's a "Top man" remember ? ... aka the ELITE aka the 1% .... Aka = 🤢🤮
I broke my wrist my freshman year of high school and had a doctor that gladly would give me way more pills then needed and I ended up hooked. Almost 7 yrs sober now
thats awseome! But how did you do it?
@@r0bmc745 i was the same, broke my back in high school...went from tramadol to tabs to blues in 5 years. I couldnt do it cold turkey, i had to take methadone but now im a year clean off methadone and feeling better and better each day...i still get kinda anxious but Kava extract helps with that.
Good job grasshopper.....I have 8 years clean
@@verapaige7915 congrats!
When I was a teenager (20 years ago) my best friend had dental surgery, and was given an entire, full bottle of Vicodin. Needless to say, it was used more recreationally than medically. He even got a second full bottle after complaining about ongoing pain to the dentist. Two full bottles, when all he really needed was maybe 5 pills for pain management during the 48 hours following the surgery.
As someone who lost 4 friends to overdoses, it’s incredibly difficult to watch the demeanor of some of these people. There’s either a lack of remorse or in some cases outright bliss in knowing that they were making money off of people who were struggling. The way the nurse practitioner spoke was friggen disgusting
The thing is, if you're weak enough to not be able to drop something that is killing you. Whose fault is it really?
Agreed
@@partyhardplayhardgaming8106 it has nothing to do with being "weak". That's the narrative and lie you've been fed by big pharma. Instead of admitting their drugs were addictive and killing people, they blamed the people.
Addiction is NOT a disease it's a choice that leads to a form of possession read the book pharmakia the spiritual dimension of drug use
@@partyhardplayhardgaming8106 the problem with your statement is I don't agree with the disease point of view because it's a choice that you decide to make however I do think that over extended periods of time you get kind of a form of possession it's kind of like the story in the Bible where it says you can remove the demon from your house it will roam to and fro looking for a home when it comes back to you if your house is not in order it will bring along with itself seven other demons stronger than itself and re-enter its home that's why every time someone relapses it's that much harder for them to get clean and that is a book quote out of a scientist / pastor named Robert Orem in Sarasota Florida and the name of his book is pharmakeia the spiritual dimension of drug use
Heather Alfonso’s entire demeanor is what terrifies me about the healthcare system. There’s a willful and snide lack of understanding that the shady profiteering she took part in was in any way out of line-and she’s only troubled that others profited more and she was shortchanged. So many troubled and morally skewed people in the population and a fair number are charged with caring for people at their most vulnerable moments.
💯
She disgusts me...
She shocked me 🥴 Its really sad to see how we cant even trust our healthcare profesionals to care for their patients and their wellbeing
Looked her up on facebook. She gives herself to Allah and scams people still. What a piece of work she is
@@vopenacattleco Then she hasn't given herself to Allah
The narrator is great. He could be reciting groceries list and they would be gripping.
more like GRIPPING a GROCERY bag lolololololol
Whats his name?a
@@almappes3396 Tunak Ali-Bimbimsalabim.
Griminal Criminal No, it’s Will Lyman; he has a very distinct voice.
@@almappes3396 It's Will Lyman per the credits at the end, and he is awesome!
I am so pissed. These men were charged 5 years or less in prison for starting the Opioid pandemic in America. If these same men were black, poor, and came from the inner cities, they would have been given life sentences. the hypocrisy is for real!
I’m going on 5 years clean, and still rebuilding my life after losing so much and dealing with so much pain but my children deserve a mother who is sober and present in their lives so I’m praying for all the addicts and ex-addicts struggling, just know that there is hope ❤️🙌🏽
Congratulations 🎉🎈🎊 God Bless you and God watch over you in Jesus name. ❤️
Congrats! That’s a huge accomplishment
I hit 1 year last week.
Keep it up.
Congratulations
I'm five years clean and no one gives a shit. You're lucky to have people who care
Honestly the punishment is pathetic. 5.5 years for causing incalculable misery and death? Absolutely pathetic.
He did nothing wrong
@@laetrille What do you mean? Oh you're being sarcastic, lol. Good one!
Berlicof was the guy in charge of sales & he only got 26 months. Even with cooperation, he deserved a minimum of 5 years..
I was expecting a life sentence! argh! This guy was a murderer and drug dealer!
@Douglas Jones ...unfortunately if you are a black teen.20 years + for weed or low level drugs.2 different justice system.
That nurse practitioner is gross, she should be arrested.
she's nuttier than a walnut grove for sure...and I'm a psych nurse trust me lol
@@TheMabes69 I think she was sampling products
This type of medicine should not be prescribed by a nurse practioner anyway.
@@xeno4746 the people who employed her are just as guilty if not more. But they were smart and hired a Muslim nurse practitioner to be the fall guy.
@@TheMabes69
@14:12 This is a "health care provider." She is Greedy, Wicked and Evil Incarnate
Once we got legal cannabis in Montana, I was able to detox from legal opioids in 2016, and I did it on Twitter. Now, I'm permanently suspended by that app but still having a wonderful life without being constantly sedated. 💙 ☺️ Thanks for being here.
So called 'Health Practitioner' Heather Alfonso: "Duh, Screw the patients, show me the money. My kids are more important than there lives." What a despicable attitude for a healthcare provider.
also the "I got $83k, which isn't a lot considering how much everyone else made" -_- she destroyed so many lives and was only upset that she wasn't paid as much as other doctors for it. oh well, she's been charged to pay back $2.5 million. just desserts.
I just watched this documentary and was so disgusted by that comment as well. She should have her license revoked.
She is a disgrace to the health care field.
@@patpeifer7871she’s a disgrace to the human race
she's abominable smh. Terrible person
There's so many villains in this story that I can't keep track of them all.
B
Kids and ADULTS don't do drugs.
@@Angela-kr6im unless it's the necessary evil. But then you are left with the addiction.
This makes me so mad I can’t finish watching this there were so many Drs down here in Fl and their pill mills made them VERY RICH
Dr. George Peterson’s recent addiction
We lost our son to herion overdose mixed fentanyl 2 years ago. He was 26, we fought for 10 year's to get him help. RIP TREVOR.
I'm sorry for your lost🙏
I'm sorry for your loss, may God please bless you and your family. Stay strong!
GODSPEED MR.WRIGHT,FAMILY AND BLESS TREVOR. I AM IN RECOVERY HELPING PEOPLE NOW.I WILL CARRY YOU AND TREVOR IN MY HEART FOR INSPIRATION
My condolences, Realtalk
I am deeply sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you.
Whoever is fighting with their own demons I pray you get through it! I know sobriety is hard and I know some people feel it’s damn near impossible for them. Just please don’t give up on yourself 🙏
Ty so much
🙏 🙏 🙏 im recovering addict sigh. I cry myself to sleep often. Sometimes it's hard to push on sigh.
@@kenrickbaughman992 you’ve made it here so far and I know you can keep pushing on! Please don’t give up on yourself! You’re not alone 🤗🤗🤗
@@BeeV-tv thank you kindly 🙏
Was a $200 a day opiate addict for almost 5 years. Amazing I'm still alive or not in jail ... 4 years clean. Trust me, if I can do it anyone can.
@O MillerO you will. Trust me. The trees will become greener, music will sound better. The smell of coffee and grass will be more profound. The way you view and cherish normal life will come back, I promise.
That’s great dude I took lortab 10 for 15 yrs been clean for 1 yr and 1/2 Suboxone works
@O MillerO content dude I took that shit for years suboxone for about a year I’m ok but it’s different ???? Don’t feel the same
@O MillerO How goes the fight, still winning?
Agreed.....I have 8 years clean
I watched this documentary because I wanted to understand the opioid epidemic in the US. I had seen the suffering users undergo but didn't quite get some of the factors contributing to it, the pharma angle, so to speak. Now it's clearer. It's sad and enrsging.
Thank you PBS/Financial Times for this. piece.
Same
What's more saddening is the US population percentage vs the world. Yet the US consumes almost 60%+ of the hard core painkillers. Imagine that.
Look at the obesity epidemic, mental health epidemic. The US solution is: prescribe lots of Meds. Health Insurance is hard to obtain. Imagine if you have Weight or Mental Health challenges. Employers (under cover), will "call you back, once their decision is made". Which means thanks for applying but no, you don't get the job (in many cases). Someone may be trying to better themselves and need Health Coverage.
Very sad situation.
It is very hard to understand the situation living outside the US. Many bad things are happening in my country but I cannot imagine something like that. It is just so different
Idk why drs are prescribing fentanyl.
I am a chronic pain patient. I do not abuse drugs nor am I addicted and I cannot get pain meds for relief. I'm sick of hearing about opioid addicts. They are not mt problem. Chronic pain is.
@@youtubeuserzzzz i'm in AZ, and i pay $172 for my own medical and dental insurance.
They ruined it for people in real pain and need them
Who is to say which person's pain is legitimate and which isn't? Drug control robs individuals of the freedom to make independent choices regarding the most critical healthcare issues. As far as I'm concerned, the buck stops with me on matters relating to my own health. I won't hesitate for one second to take whatever steps I must take in order to medicate my pain and enable myself to live a normal, healthy life. Life is too short to spend every day in bed moaning in pain waiting for a doctor to finally have enough empathy to put his license at risk for me.
@@johnlecoque9516 none of this is about pain except a pitch to make for selling everyone 2k dollars a day for something worth almost nothing in cost. this sold what you take because you have to for so much money that no one would have chosen this product.
if you have real pain now it is possible that you will not be able to find a doctor who will help you.
@@timothybucky7170 , Yes , and what is being done Against the Disabled/ Chronic and Intractable Pain disease patients of the U.S. is Unconstitutional and a Human Rights Violation. The Insufferable Movement
@@LDuke-pc7kq Agreed, even though less than 1% of us with severe chronic pain abuse our prescriptions* and yet we are treated as criminals. The CDC didn't even bother to differentiate between pain patients & addicts...
* excluding those who take a month's prescriptions with a bottle of wine to go home...
It's sad that Diana Hampton died like that. Casting her as simply a victim that was better off dying than being exposed is ridiculous. I remember reading about her having an innovative approach to veteran drug cases, although it's not easy to find the source anymore. It's bad enough drug users are told both they have a disease and that they're going to jail which will somehow help them. When the person signing the warrant and overseeing your conviction is committing the same so-called crimes, you realize your being held accountable by conviction was a complete farce. We met once, she was nice. She didn't deserve to die and it wasn't better for her to die. It would have been better she survived, come to her senses, and we could have had a long discussion on one of the many hypocrisies of our government.
Unfortunately I have lost all trust in doctors, whenever I find myself hearing a pitch for some new drug they want to prescribe me, I tell them I need at least a week to do my own research on what exactly it is because I don’t trust all the praises a doctor will give. People should always be extra careful and have time to do their own research.
@ Melissa Skillens
You're doing it backwards. Do your research first, going into a Drs' office allowing them to know you know what you're doing - and tell them what you want. And why.
@@lizziesangi1602 thanks for that dr.
Never gave any doctor any trust
Lizzie Sangi Someone would have to go to school for years to be that level of prepared. Say someone goes in with gastrointestinal trouble. Do you really expect a lay person to be well-versed on all the classes of meds that treat such a condition? It makes more sense for the person to do more research after the fact. That way, when the patient hears, “I want to recommend [a new proton pump inhibitor,” the patient can go home l, do their research, and see the doctor is pushing a brand new expensive one rather than one with the same mechanism of action that is 100x cheaper.
There are just too many complexities for a patient to be knowledgable on everything before the visit.
Every day and every week there is always some new drug being advertised on television. I'm sure you've seen them during your time off from work or during the evenings when your winding down after work. Makes one wonder if these brand new drugs really do what they're designed to do even with the wide range of side effects.
That rap video alone should have dropped the stock price by 90%.
BECAUSE IS NOT THE RIGHT PEOPLE FOR THE RAP MUSIC??
@@stephenjoke7965 no because it sucked
@@stephenjoke7965 sounding dumb
I thought it was a joke. The fact that it was real and produced by that company gave me serious douche chills.
So cringe 😬
Basically he was angry that there weren’t enough patients experiencing unbearable pain to make his sublingual fentanyl launch “successful.” 1. That’s disgusting. 2. Try doing some market research ahead of development.
He knew exactly what he was doing.
@@booognish Yes he did. Every single one of them knew exactly what they were doing.
So if there weren't enough pain, you will create pain.
These chemicals are like the new world spice traders:
Tobacco
Spice
Tulips
Sugar
Corn syrup
Cotton
Coffee
Chocolate
Opium
...
And now Fentanyl
we have to create a hole to fill which doesn't really exist, and we will call it loneliness. then we will create the cure and sell it the masses...and we shall call it Love.
Before my back surgery, I was prescribed 60 percocet every month for three months. SIXTY. My back surgery was scheduled for that third month. I started taking the pills for the pain and slowly found myself wanting one even when I wasn't in pain. I couldn't wait to get home and take a pill even when my pain wasn't that bad. I got scared because I knew I was slowly forming an addiction. I flushed what I had left and chickened out with the surgery. Four years later in 2021, I finally decided to have the surgery but I found a new and more reputable surgeon who didn't prescribe me any pain meds before the surgery, and I was completely ok with that. After my surgery, he only gave me enough for 1 week and it was very do-able for me.
When I was addicted I was doing 20-30 pills DAILY.
@@alexm566 wow that’s too much. How do you feel when you take all that ?
@@brownjames3420 Barely anything, but if I stop it was death. My whole body feels like it's being tortured with 1000 nails.
@@alexm566 You developed Addiction Damn
@@brownjames3420 yup, I remember the night I said I'll stop and then woke up middle of the night with massive panic and everything feeling all messed up. that's how I knew I no longer had a choice.
These kind of activities should be categorizes as a CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY.
Ddrt1554 Addh6 Exactly
The perpetrators should be given a lethal injection of their own drugs.
or murder. if anyone else in the world sells someone a drug that kills them... that's murder. not when you have money tho i guess
@@BEEBEE159
Not to Worry. KARMA with have its Justice!
Did you ever hear of disabled Americans who actual need these medications? Prescribing these medications for those that need them is a tremendous act of compassion. The problem is people who don't need them working hard to be prescribed these medications. You cant blame a doctor for believing someone whose acting just like a disabled person who is in terrible pain.
“This additional money was something I needed”. But she was a health professional!? Shouldn’t they only prescribe medicine if really needed and in the best interest of the patient?
YES A GOOD DOCTOR WILL BUT THIS LADY IS GREEDY N HAD 5 KIDS SHE SAID,SHE HOPEFULLY HAD HERSELF FIXED!!!
Well like the sales VP said, they targeted medical professionals who were vulnerable. When people lack money and when they can get away with it, their integrity gets compromised. There are always gonna be some doctors who will do that.
No excuse what they did !
Sure, as long as that doctor can make a profit from the prescription sold. That's big pharma for ya!!
Sick
I'm 3 months sober from black tar heroin. I no longer take suboxen either. I finally feel normal and I'm happy. It did not happen over night and it was a struggle but it is possible that's all I want to say
I've never taken subs for a long time until now..I been on it since may 2020 when I detox now I take a 1/4 am and pm..half a strip a day..I took vivitrol for 4 months and relapsed..this time I hàd to stay on subs to keep me safe and now I do want to get off bc it makes me feel like shit even that Lil bit but I have to know I'll be ok
Congratulations 🎊🎈🎉 and I hope you are still clean!! God Bless you and God watch over you in Jesus name.. ♥️
Hope this finds you still sober and healthy. Just wanted to say CONGRATULATIONS and keep up the great work!💯💯
Congratulations
Hope you're still clean!! How was it coming off subs? I'm thinking of starting MATs
These meds have given me a large part of my life back. After 20+ spinal surgeries and procedures have left me with scar tissue limiting my movement cause of pain.
Addiction, is a side effect that is not a concern for people like me, as I will never live another day without this medication. As soon as I'm not able to control my pain through medical means, is the day my grave should be dug
Merry Christmas Paul , I know how you feel ❤
@@shanewells9067 you as well
May 2023, bring you and yours a better year than the last
From Louisiana, it's nearly impossible to get medication that we need including me. Unless a miracle happens in this industry many people will still suffer everyday. God bless.
@@leespence9869 I have unbelievable anxiety every time I go to get my medication waiting for the pharmacist to give some excuse as to why it can't be filled we shouldn't have to live this way there is medication available to people that truly need it but it's a fight month to month and sometimes day to day to get people to understand what we go through it's not how we should have to live
This is a fantastic documentary- the best I’ve seen in a long time. PBS still got it!
I refuse 2 pay 4 cable and my over the air reception sucks. thank whoever 4 the upload. and once again to PBS 4 'fair and balanced' reporting.
mamie monrovia : I agree- cable is insanely expensive. We have always had the ‘basic’ cable plan- no extras like HBO, etc. and our bill is still ridiculously high (and whenever the bill increases because a promo expires, I negotiate it down to a more reasonable cost). Satellite TV isn’t really an option for us (not sure if it costs less). At one point, Comcast was the only cable provider where we lived. Finally AT&T became available, and we switched. But it’s basically a monopoly where I live - you have 2 options, that it- which basically allows the 2 companies to charge whatever they want.
Except when it comes to politics .
@@mamiemonrovia7654 SO AGREE & some think Im crazy. I tell them theyre crazy for paying all that $$ monthly for something I can get off the internet for free!
watch being mortal tough to watch if you don't cry during that one yur not human
Notice how it didn’t matter until someone of high status overdosed
People of high status overdose everyday in this country. It’s when they overdose & DIE that the headlines are made. Perhaps if thousands more “high status people” overdose & die this War on Drugs might be impacted positively(?)
They didnt start covering it untill the white suburb kids started to die off. Government and media aaaaand now we have a problem.
Oh of course
If you're white with money you can bypass a lot.
My dad and brother died from Dr. Holper's fentanyl prescriptions and that doctor went to prison after finally killing a judge with his fentanyl prescriptions.
I can't believe they didn't use RICO laws on Wells Fargo when they opened all those checking accounts without authorization
Yea Wells Fargo got off pretty well scott free didn’t they
@@ditavalerio615 bucket of abortion juice
That's only for Black and Hispanics. Everybody else get a special arrangement and title. AMERIKKKA
@JAN III SOBIESKI Notice the Big Pharma not owned by a person of color were investigated and fined first. And now the rest have been warned.
Wells Fargo should have been made to give more credit during Covid because of their shady past.
Man I'm glad Heather wasn't my nurse practitioner!
The disconnect from both the company and the doctors from the deaths of their products is morally bankrupt
Agreed
There is a lot to said about this. Disconnect is one of them but also all of this people have no moral, is almost like they are no humans. I don't believe the female Dr. That had her head cover. She has no remorse about the whole situation, incredible!
The company provides the product and the Dr decides how much to give the patient with instructions. If the patient doesn't follow it, that's on them. It's cold be hey were adults here.
For-profit healthcare in action.
They don't give a fuck. As long as they got their greedy hands on that all mighty dollar, they could care less about what happened to their consumers..... oh excuse me "patients". 😐
I’m in Florida. I saw firsthand what these pain pill mill Doctors did to people. So many people have died and countless lives destroyed due to addiction. Dr. John Kapoor deserves to spend decades in prison. He is a menace to society. The fallout from the opioid epidemic will take generations to wade through.
Same, but in Southern Cali :/ fent is the new heroin there and sadly me and many many many people I know and don’t know, personally, got stuck in it. Drugs do NOT discriminate!! It can be ANYONE, it isn’t a certain type of people, but especially people with untreated non/severe mental health issues :( it’s so sad
death sentence i dare say
FL here I saw it first hand and got caught up in it but now my pain is being properly by my primary doc
As a “victim” of the “ opioid crisis” I am unable to get the medicines I need to have SOME quality of life, due to DEA OVERREACH AND CDC’s “Guidelines” (not laws!) meant for the opioid naive patient-AND WHICH GUIDELINES SPECIFICALLY STATE NOT MEANT FOR LONG-TERM CHRONIC PAIN PATIENTS, CANCER PAIN, SICKLE CELL DISEASE, POST-SURGICAL PAIN, HOSPICE. Unfortunately, we’ve all been thrown into the “addict” category. Can you IMAGINE a hospice patient dying in excruciating pain, and have a nurse say, “Well, you don’t want to die AN ADDICT, DO YOU?” True story. My God! Show MERCY to the suffering! This is cold-blooded MURDER. The pendulum has swung too far in the opposite direction, and killing people by withholding pain medicines. And THIS IS BEING TAUGHT TO OUR YOUNG INTERNS-your children’s future “caretakers.” BE AFRAID. BE VERY AFRAID.
@@gailmarie4039 there’s still red vein kratom u can get at any gas station if it came down to it. Another reason why all drugs Need to b legalized u made a great point for that
Lost my brother to this a few years ago. 💔 it will forever change your life & your families. If you catch you child using opiates, nip it as soon as possible, pay attention to the signs, & focus on their sobriety for 2 years! That's how long it takes mentally to not go back to using.
If ibogaine were legalized and regulated, we wouldn't have this crisis. Unfortunately, the people involved with the addiction treatment industry are even more corrupt than this pharmaceutical company.
That might not sound right to people, but the opioid crisis is a result of the addiction treatment industry. It's gone from virtually unheard of, to a 42 BILLION DOLLAR A YEAR INDUSTRY in a matter of less than ten years, and has projections for unprecedented growth in the next 5 years. Recently Anna Lembke said she became "addicted to" reading teen vampire romance novels. You can't become addicted to reading. But Lembke wants avid readers, people who masturbate regularly, people who watch porn, and of course people struggling with substance use in addiction treatment. I could say more but I'll leave it there.
I'm so sorry. I lost my son. He was a brother and a dad to a four year old boy, my grandson.
Cancer is not the only thing that causes severe pain, the kind of severe pain that needs to be managed for the rest of one's life.
Indeed. Back pain and the associated leg and foot pain from spinal stenosis is one example. Destroyed discs and sciatic nerves can never be repaired and there is a limit in how many laminectomies you can undergo.
I thought opiates were also for end of life care
@@robertcuminale1212opiates were absolutely not indicated for chronic pain
My spine needs to be rewired. The 90 mg/day presribed mostly morphine and oxy still will not let me even stand up without pain. Helps a bit only. I'm 72 yrs old. Am glad cannabis is legal where I live, to help sleep
They need to pay for the treatment for all the addicted patients too
Right on they need to step up and fix it.
They could start with me. I have over half a million dollars in medical bills from 4 hospitalizations, detox, and rehab
And the dead from overdoses.
@Joey Dunlop you have obviously never had to deal with this. My sister has been prescribed pain medication for almost 4 years by her doctors for a serious illness. She takes her medication per instructions, and in no way wants to have to take these pills yet has no option. She was told point blank by a doctor that once she no longer needs them he will have to taper her down or she will 100 % go on to buying off the streets due to the body becoming addicted. Luckily her doctor will help. Not everyone has that kind of doctor which leads to buying off the street. So no not everyone is begging for more and more. Do some research and stop being so judge mental
@Joey Dunlop I actually do have first hand experience, but that is my business, and I can say I’ve never been happy about the situation. I had to try more than once to get off the prescribed medication without going crazy from withdrawals. Everyone is different not all addicts want to live that life, and that is first hand knowledge
Pill mills: Legitimized suburban crack houses.
OMG .....YES.
Wade Guidry a thing of the past now.
@@My_Alchemical_Romance yeah you right.
@@My_Alchemical_Romance .. not completely but most yes.
Patrice Marie ooooolllolllllllll
5 years or less in jail to make billions?? where do i sign?
Out in 16 months I bet.
fed jail too, probably minsec martha Stewart shit, but you have to serve 85% of your time before you are eligible for parole in fed system tho
More like 18 months with good behavior
Posh jail
Like wolf of wall street
With tennis court and gym and all the goodies
Can you live with the fact of all the people will suffer from addiction and withdrawal and death 💀. It’s evil. The devils work man. Friggn sad.
Will Lyman (the narrator) is an absolute PBS classic, reminds me of watching documentaries as a little kid. I genuinely think that without PBS this country would be in a far worse state than it is, it's not just about public media, it's about public media that serves the people.
This brings back so many painful memories. I was one of those people waiting in line to get my opioid prescription. Thank God I was able to get through all that and lead a somewhat productive life. Although it's extremely hard sometimes. I feel that the damage I've done will follow me the rest of my life. I can only hope that more people are able to wean off and stay clean so they can get on with their lives. 🙏
God bless you
How you cook up a patch? In detail!
As someone who was fighting a 5+ yr addition to a lot of prescription painkillers I totally understand your concern. Big pharma will always care about the profits no matter what. I’m 7yrs sober now and was able to get back everything I lost with interest… and now I have a lot more than what I had before I started doing them… stay strong friend! Every day sober is a gift.
I know from experience how difficult it is. Still going through it. Stay clean man!
I was in a bad way with my addiction to Oxycodone. A drug called Soboxone saved me. The first time I took it I knew I'd found my savior. Some people who don't understand will say I just traded one addiction for another. That isn't the case.
Excellent reporting and it’s a dark dark place in the human heart when greed takes over and the pulse of the conscience is dead 💀!
Yup
Amen to that.. But one day they will have to stand in front of God and face judgment! And all the money in the world will not save them!! ❤️
@@barrett7893 Exactly they will have to give an account of what they did and then the judgement consequences.
Capitalism is wonderful but it only works if it is paired with morality.
Greed can do crazy and evil things to people sadly.
Extremely addictive fentanyl: exists
Heather Alfonso: what "lines"? The speaker's money changes my prescription. I'm just gonna prescribe whatever gives me more cash.
My GAWD
I HATE her, she needs an attitude check
She’s evil. She’s only angry that she didn’t make more money. Totally evil and insane and stupid. But at least she went on camera to give us all an insight into the mindset of the people writing prescriptions. I worked as an administrator in the healthcare profession for over a decade, and it sadly doesn’t shock me to see doctors with no ethics. Many are corrupt. And just throwing prescriptions at patients is the norm now. It’s the profit model.
@@doctoroclock7732 😅😅for real its so terrible and tragic
what about terminally ill cancer patients and people with life threatening traumatic injuries?
Nurse practitioner NO ETHICS.LOL.She still doesnt get it when pressed by interviewer.
I know, explaining WHY she needed money and therefore wrote prescriptions (rationalize/justify) wasn't a very smart thing to do, even if it WAS true.
@@abdimalikgurhan3194 aryaa see tahay sbx..😅
The - nurse practitioners - "along with doctors" are paid separately by collection companies.
Google her
You know those type of questions like "is stealing wrong" on questionnaires? She's the type that would struggle with such a question. Total psychopath.
This video popped up in my YT suggestions today the very day I am clean of opiates for 5 years. My neighbor is a prison guard and he claims that Fentanyl is more addictive than heroin. After surviving colon cancer and being on heavy duty opiates I agree.
All I can say is: "But for the grace of God" there I go.
Not just prison,freeze there assets too or they will do it over again.
How do you like capitalism now??
@Maxwell agreed. HOWEVER these medications are needed by many people. myself included. due to health issues, which because of when it was EASY to get them, made a bunch of junkies. yes there are alternatives, being on a fixed income, many of those arent covered by my insurance. this is a MAJOR mess which will take time to correct. time to get the ball rolling.
Never happen Corporations Pay Lobbyists Who Manipulate Politicians who appoint Judge's that make Certain their Wealth,Power and Freedom Stays Protected. Only Poor Minorities amd the Powerless go to Prison and serve Long Sentences and Sometimes Life for a Small Fraction of the Tons of Drugs and Misery these Devils Pushed.
@@Gcanno both sides so this sadly my friend. No innocent parties. I stand by saying the junkies screw my chance of getting the help I need for my chf , diabetes as well as multiple other health issues. And I was born with the type one diabetes
the real criminals are the government for privatizing healthcare and pharmaceuticals! These ridiculous for-profit systems are just begging for companies to commit fraud, and then people are shocked at the "evil big pharma" execs. Give me a break... they were despicable, yes, but only got that far because of how the government structures these sectors.
As a chronic pain sufferer and currently have a constant headache/migraine since March 26 2018. It averages a level 3. I now never say itvis a 10, because there is a spike that is worse than the last spike. I also have lower spine pain. I have zero nerve reflex in both arms and both legs. I have went from working 72 hrs per week to 30 hrs a week. I have never liked alcohol and have never done nothing heavier than Marijuana as a teen in the 80s. After joining army I never touched drugs of any kind. It took me 12 years and three doctors before I was able to get pain meds. Now I take 1 5mg oxycodone every eight hours. I have to choose between working or sleeping. I need two oxys and two flexeril to either get 3 to 4 hrs of work or 2 to 3 hours of sleep. I have no idea if or when I will get a dosage increase and/or pills per day. I have bipolar is one issue that is flagging the government, which is imposing requirements that need to be met before any positive changes. I never get a "high" from my pain meds, I do get a high from the flexeril. Asva pain sufferer with bipolar suicide is a frequent battle. My wife, daughters, grandchildren, and my faith in God our creator and Saviour is what keeps me from suicide. The government needs to make some guideline changes that makes it easier for people who have no history of alcohol or drug abuse to get opioid meds for pain treatment.
Wow! Some of the people they interviewed are remarkably honest and frank about what they were doing. Either they've come to terms and accepted how bad it was, or they are truly remorseless!
They're truly remorseless they didn't serve any time for a crime they're still Rich they don't give a shit how many people they killed! Now you take a small time drug dealer just trying to make a living they get 20 years plus, these suits get five years and under and probably didn't serve half of that!
Once these Illegal drug lab Owners, Dealers & Smugglers ENJOY THEIR EASY- MAKING WEALTH, THERE IS "NO REMORSE" EVEN They are Caught & Jailed & Soon the Corrupt U.S. Justice System WILL RELEASE THEM, So the CONVICTED DRUG- OFFENDERS WILL RESUMED THEIR DRUG BUSINESS AGAIN. When CAUGHT Again, it Serve & Activate the Law- enforcement System of the US Govt to keep Govt- Employees Working. --No Ending Solution in U.S. CRIMINALITY WORLD.
Considering how KRONIE-CAPITALISM is (nowadays), and how Politician's are so easily bought, I would bet on REMORSELESS...
No they are the worst of the worst,first they did what they knew was wrong,then when they got caught they rat everyone else out to save themselves and did,why would you like about it now 😂 Lol,of course they are going to be up front bc now they get paid again for their story, lifetime crooks and our system let's them get away with it
Truly remorseless and still out there running scheme on ppl, I'm sure. They got off because they told all. They have nothing to hide now and why try it's public knowledge. Lying on here would be pointless and ridiculous, best believe though, they aren't now honest ppl.
Jeez - between this and the "what went wrong?" doc - you guys are crushing it. Please stay balanced and opinion free - what the world needs is just the facts.
I grew up around people who became addicts that went to prison under mandatory minimum sentencing. They served more time than him. His sentence was an absolute slap in the face to all Americans.
Exactly my take away... 5 1/2 years? Are you fucking joking? Thats 3 served with good behavior. How many died? How many lives ruined from addiction? How many more lives negatively impacted by loved one being addicted? How much time and money spent on salaries of FBI agents and support staff, judicial system staff, medical staff, counselors, treatment centers, employers, landlords, caregivers, support givers, froends, lovers, kids, and on and on and on. Five and a half years. Why fucking bother! What a disgrace. What a pathetic joke our criminal justice system has become. What bullshit we've been told since birth that no one is above the law. Hahaha! LIES! TRUMP WALKS FREELY IN SOCIETY TODAY, 9.12.22 AND THIS JERK GETS 5 YRS. TRUMP HAS OVER A MILLION AMERICAN DEATHS ON HIS HANDS FROM GROTESQUE MISHANDLING OF CV19, 30K+ LIES, AND NOW STOLEN CLASSIFIED DOCS SEIZED AT MARA LAGO! NUKE DOCS FOR SALE! MENACE TO SOCIETY! OUR PPE
They aren't billionaires I guess. Sad.
RE comments about people with legitimate pain: I agree you shouldn’t be denied meds to treat it, just beware that opioid addiction is going to happen to you no matter your situation because once it binds with the receptors and they are taken away, you will be in withdrawal. It is fact based in science. I’ve seen many people with real pain become addicted. I wish there were more ways to help you.
Much love to you all.
FrontLine is a service to the community. Thank you.
It's the best long running television program in this history of the medium.
60 min on cbs has made lots of bad stuff over.
I like my drug dealer to wear a tracksuit and operate out of a council estate, not wearing Armani living in a mansion.
What is the difference between a drug dealer and a pharrmaceutical CEO? One is at the corner of the street in the other one at Wall Street!
The difference is that the average street dealer makes far less money.
only difference is high priced lawyers
The government
The difference is if you do fentanyl from the dealer you die
Just as much, if not more blame goes to the doctor writing endless scripts. While your outrage is just, it’s still grossly misplaced.
These guys make El Chapo look like a street corner small time dealer.
although blunt, i appreciated the willingness of Heather Alfonso to be shamelessly honest and just say out loud the ugly truths regarding the nature of the situation instead of trying to wrap it up in a pretty box or tap dance around it
I'm a legitimate chronic pain patient and have been for years. Issues like this makes it harder for me to get what I need to survive. I've had two hip surgeries, including a total hip replacement, and the hip replacement is now loosening. I also have chronic back pain bc I walked on a deteriorating hip for years. This caused me to get two herniated discs and scoliosis. I need medication and these people have made me go through hell every 30 days when it's time for me to pick up my medication as well as monthly when I need to talk to my doctor. This isn't fair - especially since I'm just one of MILLIONS who deal with this!
Thank u very well said!!!!
Dude you ever sell any? hook a brother up
@@parimabartender shut up
a couple of these fucking junkie recovery post seriously pissed me off, and thats how i coped with the pain, all i had was hatred and testosterone to sedate the pain i suffered. i was only able to get meds for 6 months, after 2 years my pain was mostly gone, it took 4 years to be down to maybe once a month i have a problem walking. being treated like a junkie. losing damn near all my friends and even tying the rope around my neck.
So true. My doctor took me off it. No recourse, no alternative choices. I dumped my doctor. I do use an alternative and the doctor I use doesn't like it, but legally cannot do anything because our state approved medical Marjauana.
The doctors are even more guilty than the businessmen who were charged.
They ruined it for people in real pain and need them
Amen to that!!
It doesn’t get much sadder than this…people came seeking help and were sucked into a cycle that killed them… 💔 God have mercy 🙏🏽
I celebrate 2 years clean and sober from heroin and fentanyl this coming January. My addiction started when my doctor prescribed me ten 30m Percocet each day. After 4 years her license was revoked band I was already using heroin. I eventually became homeless and lost all will to live. I overdosed a couple times on purpose and became even more depressed when I couldn't even manage to overdose and die. Finally God spoke to me one day and a light in me ignited, I reached out for help and here I am now living my best life. It can happen, we do recover. The pharmacudical industry put profits over life. I'm glad some bare being held accountable.
When you see a love one dying in pain you will do anything to help them feel better!
Only 6 years? Thats a slap on the wrist.
6 years will work out to 16 months.
Same jail/spa as Martha Steward had.
no, it was 5.5. may be pobation may come way earlier
Clearly someone who's never spent any time in prison.
I got 10 for 6 of his fucking pills, thx judicial system
Of the hundreds if not thousands of people who died as a consequence of OD… they probably lost a collective 10,000+ life-years
Everyone has overreacted and now people are being denied proper pain medication when it is truly needed.
I have less hope for humanity every day.
Lexi Cat humanity is long gone the governments have always been the head of drug dealing, we live in a world that is just about money nothing more, we just pawns in reality to them, their drugs cause cancer then when we die our organs are sold illegally, can’t hide from our impurities of congested lies and disgust to humanity.
its okay guys reality is just a hologram. You can relax now.
Facts Lexi!!! Faster and faster too... Smh
@@danielnieuwenhuis2266 This is so insightful
Never trust a company whose name sounds like “incest.”
Whoa...that music video of the sales rep really sums it up, they were dressed as drug dealers. The whole thing is gross.
I LOVE titration.
Never forget - medicine is an industry. Someone, somewhere is making money out of your illness or your pain!!!!
Exactly! And more than half of the time people are overdosing on FENTYNAL or some other street drug! I've been on Tylenol#4 for 29yrs and I am a certified pain patient. But we get treated as if we're crack addicts and we have legitimate needs!!!
Butter Pecan pain patients are treated like inmates on parole having to take drug tests. I wasn’t having it. I slowly got of the pills and went to natural medication. It’s terrible
I have an idea. Why don't you start your own pharmaceutical. There certainly enough people out there like yourself who don't believe in free markets to get together and invest your money, your time, and your swear into starting your own company. This way you could give all your drugs away and sprinkle a little sugar on each capsule. But you and other free market critics will never do it yourselves. Instead, you want to criticize the end result of someone else's efforts when you couldn't begin to approach their competence or their good they do for society. So you want to take it away from them and give it away to others. Or, force them to. Easy to be sanctimonious. Difficult to actually contribute to society.
Never forget- the medical industry also provides us with life saving medicine. Try putting a price tag on your life. I spend $7 a month on high blood pressure medication. I think it's worth it.
Its called The American Dream!.....SAD!
How many lives were ruined or lost because of that piece of shit??
My husband was on 1600 mcg 5 times a day. It was the only thing that gave him any relief from cancer. This is the way pharma it $$$ for newly branded drugs. How can anyone tell someone how much pain is expectable .
i’m sorry for your loss!
I hope every person that fought to take away the meds pain patients needed get the most devastating life long pain condition and is denied pain control!
I know of a case of a demonstrator against opioids--she and her fellow demonstrators had managed to get a law passed in her area, making it almost impossible for anyone to get opioid treatment. A few months later, she was in a terrible car accident and found herself stuck permanently with serious chronic pain. She tried and tried, but no doctor would prescribe her opioids! The last I heard, she was applying for a medical marijuana card. I hope it worked out for her.
that's down right mean & I agree with u. GDammit
I have been in pain since 1999. Everytime I have went to a doctor for help I was met by rudeness even screaming despite my xrays mri's catscans they didnt care 😢 so here I am suffering everyday. They say take tylenol and motrin.
@@truthteller9522 yeah what BS. if u need 2 reach out, do so. I'm here
Truth Teller switch to kratom. It seriously helps with pain. It can be bought over the counter at cigarette store, gas stations, or vape shops. Just search kratom in your city.
I had major surgery six days ago. Leaving the hospital, I was given only two days worth of painkillers... due to other people’s bad choices and irresponsibly. I’m in so much pain.
Yes, this is the other side of their criminality. Everyone suffers and they're still billionaires.
This is the story of so many people.
TRY KRATOM
Look into kratom if you're still suffering. I quit heroin thanks to Kratom and it kept me outta pain ( I have two herniated disks, hurts like shit,and I'm a busboy. I need to find a career cause bussing tables is literally killing me but the cash is not bad)
@@frenchghost2653 ME TOO AND IT HURTS ME ALL DAY LONG
I have chronic pain due to a Motor vehicle accident where I lost my parents and have scars on my lower back and thighs. For me its about quality of life and trying to live with pain. I'm 37 now I've been taking vicodin for 7 years. This has made it harder on patients that have to live with chronic pain.
25 years in tech sales leadership here, and I would never engage in such slimmy & repulsive sales tactics - for ANY amount of that filthy money... Bribery is NOT selling, it's paying someone to buy from you!
PS: The "Dr" with the animal print scarf has zero remorse for willfully breaching her Hippocratic Oath. I find her actions FAR more repulsive than any of these Sales Account Executives.
She says “she needed the extra income” as if she worked a minimum wage job 🤷🏻♀️
She said she needed the money cause she had 5 kids and her “significant other” was basically a lazy slob.
@@CereCerebration I guess trash sticks with trash. She doesn't even understand what she did wrong
I can't stand that lady. It feels like she didn't do anything wrong and is only upset because she didn't make more money out of it
A silly #@×*!
She's addicted to the most addictive substance on earth... money.
To hear the one guy say “we were almost as bad as heroin street dealers” is insane. Speaking from years of experience I can say fentanyl is leagues worse than average regular heroin without tampering. All these doctors are 100% at fault for today’s opiate epidemic! Not just fentanyl but OxyContin, oxycodone, hydrocodone, hydromorphine…
not the doctors the big pharma the sacklers and kapur
@@pinger5000 They're all in the same ship of crime.
Not all pain doctors are guilty of this crime. And let’s not forget the people who take drugs just to get high. They started down the road to addiction on their own, with their eyes open. They are responsible for their own mistakes.
These guys were like heroin dealers on steroids. I’m also a recovering heroin addict and I can tell you I’d rather deal w/9 out of 10 heroin dealers on the streets than this bunch of greedy sharks. Now, meth dealers…that’s perhaps a different story. 😆
@@Loveoldies50 The fact is that a lot of people using heroin and fentanyl on the streets these days started after a surgery or for whatever “medical” reason thousands of ethically-challenged doctors started overprescribing them opioids bc of the financial incentives in doing so. Did you not watch this video? Giving opioids to tons of people for the first time unnecessarily or in dosages larger than necessary is a prescription for disaster because, and pay attention here, a percentage of those people are genetically prone to addiction, which makes it more likely that they will turn in to full blown addicts. The whole morality argument is outdated, ignorant, and, beyond all that, accomplishes nothing in addressing the mess of addiction going on in this country. The AMA declared it a brain disease back in the 1950s. And, for the record, I’ll explain this as well: once a person starts engaging in heavy regular drug use, it alters their brain chemistry, which makes them act in selfish, irrational ways. And for the ones that didn’t start using bc of a doctor (and more likely at least to some degree of peer pressure)…many of these people started using in their youth, some at less than 10 years of age…did you ever make any misguided, foolish mistakes when you were young? If you say you didn’t, guess what? I don’t believe you.
He only got 5.5 years yet black man selling an ounce of meth get 20 years in prison.
EVA Braun ask for her
Chamber potty to be EMPTY
U see when idiot focus on Karen BY Kbutzboi
architectural design🐩🐩🐩88
In 14 days be sunshine
Somewhere 09A fire scorch marginal man
im ok with that. meth isn't a medication.
White man would get the same sentence. Stop race baiting here its disgusting
Freedom is not free
@@itw1931 but you can't buy it either. that's extortion.
Frontline always doing the best #1 👍🏼
A terminally ill patient should be able to buy any drug he wants.
I agree. And chronic pain sufferers should have quick legal cheap access to opioids and cannabis and Kratom
They also shoud be permitted to kill themselves.
@@joepollock9151 You can get suicide assistance in Australia..
Agree with you strongly
@@suzanne296 Finally someone else agrees also..
Terminally ill and anyone dealing with chronic pain..
The entire American economy is based on predation.
America was started by a bunch of spoiled rich kids brainwashed in college who had no respect for their king. For criminals by criminals. What did they train you to think in school?
@@jynxmangrove1769 Sir, as a first generation American, I was taught "cheat to succeed" lol. That is my confession, your Honor!
That nurse is most upset with the fact that she didn't make more money. Even now.
She comes across as a psychopath by the way.
This how you know there is something fundamental wrong our values toward money because, you usually have to do something shady to get lots of it.
As a grade schooler, in 1986 I went on a field trip to Enterprise Square in Oklahoma. I remember at the entrance they had a huge digital “National Debt” ticker blazing through numbers.
Got back on suboxone to keep foodstamps, couldnt get to doctor in time. Now penalised for two yrs before i can recieve benefits. I now weigh 96lbs,i dont have 2 yrs, thanks dusty johnson for taking my last lifeline away.
Amazing how little these healthcare providers sold their souls for
Thank God you're alive. My nephew recently died from fentnyl and another nephew's wife as well and before that her mother died from an overdose.
My reasoning has always been, the easiest way to quit anything is just don't start. No smoking, no drinking, no drugs and so on. I'm 76 and it's still working.
I’m a chronic pain patient. My pain is so severe that if it weren’t for my family I’d have checked out if you know what I mean. I suffered without any help for years and years until I was referred to pain management. There’s a very very low incidence of patients with real chronic pain becoming dug addicts in the street sense not physical sense. I don’t get high. My meds just take the edge off. I live in bed. My life is hellish.
just take the edge off is key phrase. addiction.
So what if we're addicted? We aren't shop lifting or robbing people. Most of us are still working relieved of the pain. I was able to run my business and working to pull cable for voice and data networking systems until I could retire. These drugs are not always a bad thing. Productive people are so because they want to be. Pain relief makes that possible.
Junkies are hard workers honestly. I had 2 jobs for years to support my habit.
The one former sales rep guy got big ol eye balls. what’s he on? Lol Med reps wine and dine docs and their offices. As a medical cleaner like clockwork we threw so much food away. they ate good every day, all on dime of medical reps and their company. With fentanyl crisis going on people buying sus drugs from dealers. I find this fascinating the origins of the epidemic.
Me too. And nothing pisses me off more than throwing away food.
I’m in a wheelchair due to pain. Thank you for ruining it for us. My doctor had to write the prescription for my wheelchair.
There are hundreds of ways to deal with your pain other than opioids.
@@CriticalSurvival0 but for some of us that have tried every other route it is a God send. I've had multiple back surgeries and due to a Dr putting off my herniated disc surgery due to the Christmas holidays I lost use of my legs and have nerve damage in both legs and the never ending pain. I have had spinal fusions, 4 spinal epidurals ( 2 were tainted injections from New England Compounding Center that killed many pain patients) . I have had PT , some that made me worse. The best medication I had was fentynal, which was given after one if my fusiins, I was given 5 pathches but only used 2 as I know the downside as well. So I'm not a drug seeker. Opiods made it possible for me to get out with a cane but since CDC cut back now I sit in one chair. I cry in the shower, I cry in bed, I rarely see friends or grandkids. There are bad Dr's but I am suffering, I have no life so my good Dr knows I need help but due to overreaction I am being tortured. I'm not living, I'm waiting to die. I even had a spinal cord stimulator which helps but not enough to get me out walking.
@@dancinditedforyears6736 I stopped reading when i saw "every other route." No one ever tries every route. I said it once and ill say it again: There are hundreds of effective ways to manage pain without shoving the worlds strongest most addictive chemicals into your body. This is why the American lifestyle really is gross. We destroy our bodies with terrible food and jobs that cripple us and when we are broken and dying of cancer of course opioids sound good. We have had an appetite for opium since the mid 1900s and it wont stop until we introduce a new generation to the idea that no one needs these drugs really. It seems to me that you are just a slave to the medical industrial complex.
@@CriticalSurvival0 name three.
@@plutotech Cannabis, Healthy eating, Coco leaves. Thats just three want some more? I might even find a natural medicine as strong as heroin. Probably not.
My son died from Fentanyl overdose....I am disgusted n mad as hell as I watch this.
Susie Q my cousin and many friends I’m so so sorry it’s so so sad they’re attacking us all over protect yourself and the ones you love ❤️
I'm sorry about your son. I'm battling fentynal iv addiction myself- I thought heroin was a monster, this seems unstopbable
Detroit FettyGhost so sorry to hear the sad stories! Keep going though. Never give up! Keep going day by day everyday is a mental battle but you are strong enough💪🏼🙏🏼
I'm very sorry for your loss and I mean that from the bottom of my heart, however attacking the pharmaceutical industry, professionally licensed doctors, licensed pharmacists, and most importantly chronic pain patients whom are suffering from horrific lifelong painful diseases who depend on opioid medications are not to blame. You are after the wrong target. The correct target would be: the illicit illegal drug trade, clandestine chemists, the entire transportation industry and security of this country for allowing the dangerous entry of these illicit illegal designer street drugs into our country. The pharmaceutical companies are only the target because there is documentation, a paper trail and most of all money, billions of dollars. The FDA approved the use of powerful opioids for the care of cancer and chronic pain patients. I am a chronic pain patient and these medications have saved my life. Without them, I would be a vegetable and bed-ridden, not living. My spinal diseases are of no fault of my own. Statistically, less than 1% of all chronic pain patients have an OUD disorder, and .000001% of pain patients allow for diversion of their medications. The problem is NOT chronic pain patients, their highly skilled and trained physicians or the pharmacists. The problem is illegal drug trade. If you never acknowledge the source, the problem will never be addressed. The 2016 CDC opioid guidelines have stripped patients of their rights to proper medical care because of people taking and dying from illicit illegal drug consumption. I will repeat what a reliable source once said to me: "Anytime anything is consumed into the body, there is a risk. Anything, even massive amounts of water. There is no way to say any medication/drug is 100% safe. Many people are now dying from liver toxicity from consuming Tylenol trying to help with their pain and it's killing them." Your son may have died from an overdose, we are very sympathetic to that, but now many people are dying from the side effects of uncontrolled pain. So as a result of drug deaths, many innocent people are now paying the price: with their lives. 2 wrongs don't make a right. Please continue your fight against the illicit illegal drug trade, the drugs coming illegally from China and Mexico is what is killing drug abusers, it's NOT legally prescribed prescription drugs.
Im so sorry about your son .
Quite clear that Alec B still has no conscience. He's just happy he got such a short sentence and gets to go back to his cushy life. Murderer should have gotten life in prison.
Idk I kinda like him
Yeah he’s a likable scumbag you can just feel it
He reeks of slime and evil.
He is a proud rat/informer. Probably has been an informant for a long time
Agreed
I can appreciate that Heather was honest about being in it for the money and didn’t get on camera faking remorse.
I have a complete lack of respect for her.
I watched my dad do oxycontin and morphine for years...one day my mom told him if he did one more, we were gone. He got up, flushed them and never touched another one. It is possible.
that is wonderful for your family but it’s also extremely rare for an addiction to end suddenly without treatment or detoxification…
Rare ending. I'm glad everything worked out for you guys. Your mom is a tough cookie lol.
Your dad loved you and your mom more.
You don't become a multi multi millionaire or Billionaire being Honest.
System doesn't allow it.
Unfortunately you’re probably right....
The only requirement is a lack of morals.
Deep..upon Deep😎👍
Insys also don't allow it
Ain't that the God sent truth! .....
This kind of thing is as old as time itself. It's starts as something good, to help people. Then somewhere along the way it morphs into this screwed up, sinister thing. This dude initially wanted to help. Then greed got ahold of him.
100%, never fails.
I'll agree with most of the other commenters on here that this is hands down one of the best documentaries that I have seen on this particular subject. Congrats to PBS for showing us that it is still possible to report news and keep opinions out of it. Very refreshing in our divided country. I was absolutely sickened at some of the things that I learned as I'm sure most of you were especially the bonuses and payouts for convincing doctors to increase their doses. That absolutely should be prosecuted as criminal behavior. As a chronic pain sufferer myself I can understand that these medicines can if taken properly and at the prescribed times be beneficial however one must always weigh the pros and cons of anything. There are some people that will be more prone to addiction than others. If you're in a chronic pain situation my advice would be to start as low as you possibly can and take the medicine as it is prescribed. To me that's the best way to determine whether or not you will become to dependent or addicted on something. I enjoy reading from other commenters that also are in chronic pain situations and love to hear opinions about how they are dealing with their situations as well. Blessings to all stay safe and healthy.
I am a youtube-r from China. I wish we can have awesome documentaries like this in China too. Chinese media sucks.
we are lucky to have PBS despite all the bullshit out there
Stay safe friend.
Burn and distribute to your friends..
It's not just Chinese media that sucks!
PBS is probably the only one in the US that shows the least amount of errors in its documentaries.
Just a few days back, however, in another PBS FRONTLINE documentary, it made an obvious and major mistake, if you care to watch and spot it. (P.S. And, here I am not going to tell you which one documentary, and where the obvious and major mistake is. I will let you find out yourself. The reason it is obvious is simply because what was claimed to have happened never happened, and yet the narrative in the documentary did not do anything about it, just letting it stay there!)
In China there are great documentaries as well, only that they may not suit your personal favorite or you find them of little value to you for whatever reason. I know that there are many that are great, because I have watched many of them. (By the way, I speak and read 5 major languages of this contemporary world. That is why I can watch them.)
As far as one is concerned, these days there just aren't that many documentaries that are trust-worthy and accurate, especially on some major points of contentions, and major events.
By the way, no country is perfect. If you find Chinese media sucks, why you don't make some real decent videos that do NOT suck, especially as you are a youtuber as you claimed? One would be eager to find out how much your videos do not suck.
This is the American Dream: Make profits and get rich, in whichever way possible, no matter what, regardless of the people that get squashed and the lives that get destroyed on the way.
no. thats the elites dream and people who have that sick mindset. the american dream is 40 acres, a mule, apple pie, and a family,
More like American greed 🧔
@@neilgibbons2532 our people are doing well
Your selling a product that your customer MUST have to function. Perfect buisness model.
Neil Gibbons greed is exactly right...also NOT part of the dream
Sounds more like drug dealers to me. These doctors should be ashamed of themself. Doing this to patients who put their trust into them!
My mom abused opioids for years and it all started with her doctor who over-prescribed Oxycontin. A doctor is someone who you're taught is supposed to be trustworthy, so she did he said and took her medications that he prescribed. I don't know the reasons why this man over-prescribed such a dangerous drug, but my personal opinion is that he may have done it because of some kind of monetary incentive from the drug company. In that case, he very, very likely was doing to many more patients. However, I can't prove any of this. I just know how it affected me and my mom personally.
@@marylarsen2288 damn dude d
feels bad hope you and yoyr mom doing good
Yes, We need to place a lot of blame on DRs. However there must be some amount of peronal accountability. If you a intelligent person , you do not just blindly listen to your doctor. Also, whenever a DR prescribes you something, you should do your research. Idk how some just blindly pops a pill without doing research.
Doctors can be bribed, I'm so shocked...
I hope they dont practice medicine anymore... Unfair
I at one time had become addicted to fentanal patches. I remember this because i would wear one patch for three days, as required, then put a new one on. The problem was i would still leave the previous patch on so as to get every once i could. What broke this habit was i became allergic to the addhesive on the patches.
I had to go through withdrawl before my doctor would put me on another druf for chronic pain managent. I'm very lucky to have survived this powerful drug.
I'm a cancer survivor and oxycodone was a blessing, when I was in the worst pain of my life! Leave opioids alone they have their place in medicine!
Yes they do, now you can’t get a good brand! I on pain medicine for 10 years and oxycodone brand are very bad then pharmacy can’t keep them in stock USA suck !
It was hard for me to even get meds when I had csection so idk how these people find these doctors just handing it out so freely..
Yes they do, but this documentary was about so much more if you heard that. People have become hopelessly addicted, lost everything and died because of this epidemic. Opioids do not have a place being pushed on people for profit. Of course it’s helpful for those who need them, but some people do ruin it all for everyone else. And it’s not the addicts who ruined everything, it’s these doctors.
This woman is a horror; She doesn't know what's up re: lines crossed, laws
broken. Sick stuff.
Never again should be allowed to practice medicine