The Sackler family, owners of Purdue Pharma, have long been associated with the opioid epidemic that has ravaged the United States for over a decade. Now, a new report has shed light on the extent of their influence over opioid policy, revealing that they donated millions of dollars to policy advisers and organizations that shaped the country’s response to the crisis.

According to the report by watchdog group American Oversight, the Sacklers donated over $4.5 million to various groups and individuals involved in shaping opioid policy between 2008 and 2017. This money went to organizations like the Pain Care Forum, which advocated for the widespread use of prescription opioids, and to political action committees and campaigns for lawmakers who supported policies that were favorable to Purdue Pharma.

The report also highlights the timing of these donations, many of which were made during pivotal moments in the opioid crisis. For instance, in 2016, the Sacklers donated $500,000 to a pro-Trump super PAC that supported candidates who opposed stricter regulations on opioid manufacturers. This was at a time when Purdue Pharma was under intense scrutiny and facing mounting legal action for its role in the epidemic.

The Sacklers’ donations to policy advisers raise serious concerns about conflicts of interest and underscore the corrupting influence of money in politics. As American Oversight notes in its report, the Sacklers’ donations helped shape opioid policy in their favor, even as their company was fueling the epidemic and facing legal consequences.

It is worth noting that Purdue Pharma and the Sacklers have already faced significant legal action related to the opioid epidemic. The company has agreed to pay billions of dollars in damages, and the Sacklers themselves have faced criticism and condemnation from lawmakers and public health experts. However, this new report highlights the extent to which the Sacklers’ wealth and influence allowed them to shape the narrative around the epidemic and its causes.

The Sacklers’ donations to opioid policy advisers may have also hampered efforts to address the crisis. By funding organizations and individuals who supported policies that were favorable to Purdue Pharma, the Sacklers may have undermined efforts to hold the company accountable for its role in the epidemic and to implement policies that could have mitigated the harm caused by prescription opioids.

Overall, the Sacklers’ donations to policy advisers underscore the need for greater transparency and accountability in the policymaking process. As American Oversight notes in its report, the current system allows wealthy donors to exert undue influence over policy decisions, often to the detriment of public health and safety.

It is up to lawmakers and watchdog organizations to ensure that transparency and accountability are maintained in the policymaking process. The Sacklers’ donations to policy advisers serve as a stark reminder of the dangers of allowing the wealthy and influential to shape policy decisions that impact the health and wellbeing of millions of people.