OxyContin Plague Expands Across Appalachia and Beyond
In Appalachia and beyond the OxyContin crisis grows as addicts, dealers, and crime surge. Kristen Rutledge’s three day binge leads to escalating use and family financial ruin, while communities from Gilbert to Bluefield battle overdoses, thefts, and legal actions. Purdue Pharma implements limits and pilots while officials urge tracking systems and public awareness amid a mountain community crisis.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gilbert
Kristen Rutledge
Tim Rutledge
Kristen
Appalachia
Centers For Disease Control
Virginians sue drug maker over OxyContin addiction crisis
Seven southwest Virginians file a multibillion-dollar class action in Lee County Circuit Court against Purdue Pharma and two doctors for aggressive marketing and failure to warn about addiction risks. The suit seeks over 5.2 billion dollars in compensatory damages and demands rehabilitation facilities and ongoing medical monitoring.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Michael Levy
Fox Chase Cancer Center
Philadelphia
Purdue Pharma
David Haddox
West Virginia
Jonesville
Dawn Stewart
Hedrichsen Siegel
Washington
Abingdon
Emmitt Yeary
S. Strother Smith II
Purdue
Yeary
Richard Norton
Lee County Community Hospital
South Carolina
Shireen Brohi
Merritt Medical Group
Lebanon
Associated Press
Connecticut
Also Mentioned on This Page
Gary Cline
Cline
Mexico
Maine
Florida
Mississippi
Ohio
Virginia
Michael Pratt
Kentucky
Tennessee
Appalachian
Pratt
Kentucky Line
Greg Cline
J.J. Miller
Judy Compton
Compton Inn
Debbie Trent
Bluefield
Mary
Dennis Lee
Tazewell County
H.S. Caudill
Caudill
Bluefield Area Foundation
Bluefield Area Foundation, Inc
P.O
Bdtonline
Bluewell
Bluefield Baily Telegraph
C & J Enterprises
Matoaka, W
Clinique
Happy Pro
Com
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