HBO Documentary:
Warning: This Drug May Kill You 

The HBO documentary Warning: This Drug May Kill You explores the devastating human toll of opioid use disorder and the widespread impact of the prescription opioid crisis on American families. 

Viewer Advisory: This documentary contains graphic and emotionally difficult content that may not be suitable for all audiences. Viewer discretion is advised. 

The Rise in Prescription Opioid Medications 

A significant factor behind America’s opioid epidemic was the dramatic increase in opioid prescribing over several decades. Prescription opioids are powerful pain medications that can be highly addictive, particularly when used for extended periods or without appropriate monitoring. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sales of prescription opioid medications quadrupled between 1999 and 2014. During that same period, however, there was no overall increase in the amount of pain reported by Americans. This striking contrast raised serious concerns that opioids were being prescribed far more frequently than medically necessary. 

As opioid prescriptions increased, so did rates of opioid use disorder, overdose, and opioid-related deaths. These trends prompted increased public health scrutiny, regulatory changes, and litigation involving pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors, pharmacies, and other entities alleged to have contributed to the opioid crisis. 

Today, healthcare providers follow stricter opioid prescribing guidelines, but the consequences of decades of excessive prescription opioid use continue to affect individuals, families, and communities nationwide. The opioid epidemic has left many states, municipalities, and public health systems facing substantial costs associated with addiction treatment, prevention, recovery services, and other efforts to address the ongoing impact of the crisis.

Napoli Shkolnik represents public entities in opioid litigation seeking to hold opioid manufacturers, distributors, and other responsible parties accountable for their role in the epidemic. In negotiating opioid settlements, the firm has worked to pursue recoveries that recognize not only the financial harm caused by the crisis, but also the resources communities need to respond to it. Settlement considerations have included opioid abatement efforts, addiction treatment and recovery services, prevention programs, and other initiatives designed to address the long-term public health and community impact of opioid addiction.

Our public client attorneys represent counties, cities, municipalities, and other public entities seeking accountability and recovery for the substantial costs imposed by the opioid epidemic. We have extensive experience litigating complex claims against opioid manufacturers, distributors, pharmacies, and other industry participants, including securing landmark verdicts and settlements on behalf of public authorities. Our work has helped communities recover funding for opioid abatement, treatment, prevention, and other critical programs, while continuing to pursue litigation against responsible defendants nationwide. With deep experience in high stakes, multidefendant litigation, we are committed to protecting public resources and holding those responsible accountable.

Speak With an Experienced Opioid Crisis Attorney

The effects of the opioid epidemic continue to place significant burdens on individuals, families, municipalities, healthcare systems, and communities nationwide. Whether you are seeking legal guidance after suffering harm related to prescription opioids or represent a public entity facing the ongoing costs of the opioid crisis, Napoli Shkolnik can help you understand the legal options that may be available.

Our opioid litigation attorneys have experience handling complex claims involving pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors, pharmacies, and other industry participants. We are prepared to evaluate the circumstances of your potential claim and discuss the appropriate path forward.

Contact Napoli Shkolnik today for a free, confidential consultation with an experienced opioid crisis attorney.