The Sackler Name and the Opioid Crisis: Controversies Clashing
In a recent update from CTV News, it has been revealed that Harvard University is holding firm against removing the Sackler name from two of its buildings despite the increasing pressure from protestors. As civic and community leaders, it is vital to keep informed about the ongoing opioid crisis, and understand the complex web that connects opioid production, opioid distribution, and the harrowing social impact.
A Background on the Crisis and the Sackler Connection
At the heart of the matter are the Sacklers, a family whose name has been attached to Purdue Pharma, the company producing OxyContin – one of the potent opioids implicated in the opioid crisis. The family’s connection emerges amidst allegations of aggressive marketing strategies executed by Purdue Pharma that pushed OxyContin across many medical facilities, which many believe has deeply rooted the opioid crisis we face today.
The impact on Canadian communities has been devastating, with the number of opioid-related deaths in the country increasing steadily, homelessness on the rise as people face addiction and unable to work, rising crime rates, and an immense toll on public health resources and emergency services.
Clashing Opinions on the Sackler Name
Harvard’s stand to not expunge the Sackler name from its buildings – the Arthur M. Sackler Building and the Raymond and Beverly Sackler Building – stands at sharp contrast with other institutions that have chosen to distance themselves from the Sackler name, including New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Louvre in Paris. Harvard argues that the Sackler donations were made in good faith, prior to the escalation of the opioid crisis.
Key Points from the Article
- Harvard University has decided not to remove the Sackler name, despite ongoing protests.
- The Sackler family is associated with Purdue Pharma, the producers of OxyContin- a key player in the opioid crisis.
- Other major institutions have voluntarily distanced themselves from the Sackler name in light of the opioid crisis.
- The opioid crisis has led to a rise in opioid-related deaths, homelessness, and crime, placing a strain on public health resources.
- Efforts are being made nationwide to tackle the opioid crisis, including opioid class action lawsuits, and the distribution of naloxone – a medication used to counteract opioid overdoses.
Addressing the Crisis: Efforts Made
Efforts to resolutely tackle the opioid crisis have been gaining momentum. Nation-wide opioid class-action lawsuits are being filed against many pharmaceutical manufacturers, including Purdue Pharma, accused of exacerbating the opioid crisis. Authorities are taking steps in making Naloxone, a medication that can counteract opioid overdoses, more readily available for emergency personnel.
Despite the controversy over the Sackler name, the focus continues to remain on equipping communities with the necessary resources to manage, prevent, and hopefully, end the opioid epidemic.
Final Considerations
The opioid crisis has unleashed a wave of devastating impact across communities in Canada. While the debate on whether the Sackler name should remain on Harvard’s University buildings fuels a larger societal discourse on accountability, it is crucial that we, as civic leaders, continue to emphasize effective measures to combat the crisis.
Whether it be through opioid class actions, better access to life-saving medication like naloxone, or advocating for targeted resources towards tackling homelessness and crime, the mission remains clear: to support, recover, and reclaim our communities from the grips of the opioid crisis.
