Overview

A comprehensive portrait of a uniquely American epidemic -- devastating in its findings and damning in its conclusions The opioid epidemic has been described as ""one of the greatest mistakes of modern medicine."" But calling it a mistake is a generous rewriting of the history of greed, corruption, and indifference that pushed the US into consuming more than 80 percent of the world's opioid painkillers. Journeying through lives and communities wrecked by the epidemic, Chris McGreal reveals not only how Big Pharma hooked Americans on powerfully addictive drugs, but the corrupting of medicine and public institutions that let the opioid makers get away with it. The starting point for McGreal's deeply reported investigation is the miners promised that opioid painkillers would restore their wrecked bodies, but who became targets of ""drug dealers in white coats."" A few heroic physicians warned of impending disaster. But American Overdose exposes the powerful forces they were up against, including the pharmaceutical industry's coopting of the Food and Drug Administration and Congress in the drive to push painkillers -- resulting in the resurgence of heroin cartels in the American heartland. McGreal tells the story, in terms both broad and intimate, of people hit by a catastrophe they never saw coming. Years in the making, its ruinous consequences will stretch years into the future.

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9781541742758

Table of Contents

Reviews

A detailed view of the corruption that enabled the spread of opiates to go unchecked by the healthcare industry, government or law enforcement. --London Review of Books [A] powerful account ... American Overdose is a tale of bad decision making, greed and malfeasance that is still unfolding, and not one about which we can afford to be complacent. --Nick Hopkinson, British Medical Journal McGreal provides a scorching expose....Most important, American Overdose tells the story of institutional failure and corruption: among local officials, in federal agencies, the United States Congress, and the White House. --Psychology Today online An engaging, cogently argued book. --Evening Standard [A] searing book... Appalachian accents and anger steam off the page. --The Sunday Times [A] powerful encapsulation of that epidemic....a timely examination of hard-won lessons. --Nature A deftly researched account of America's opioid epidemic. McGreal's book is authoritative in tone and vernacular in style....[A] powerful narrative. --Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review American Overdose confirms Chris McGreal's stature as one of the truly essential reporters of our times. It is - in its investigative depth and documentary breadth - a riveting and urgent reckoning of colossal corruption that has taken such a staggering toll on twenty-first century American life. --Philip Gourevitch, author of We Wish To Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our Families An expose that will have readers riveted from cover to cover. --Green Bay Press Gazette A fast, accessible read for those trying to come to terms with a national nightmare. --Law & Crime In American Overdose Chris McGreal of the Guardian looks unsparingly at the causes of the opioid crisis that kills tens of thousands of Americans a year. --The Economist Vivid reporting... [McGreal] explains in horrifying detail how this vision of a pain-free America - pharmacologically unrealistic to begin with - was subverted by a greedy combination of pharmaceutical companies, drug distributors, doctors and pharmacists, aided and abetted by complacent regulators and politicians. --Financial Times Astonishing... McGreal's book is forensic in its detailing and turns up some eye-popping examples. --Esquire UK Compelling.... reads like a white-collar The Wire, with a cast of characters determined to exact as much money as possible regardless of the human cost. --The Observer Staggering... Zola-esque in its dark twists and turns. --Ed Vulliamy, Literary Review Thorough, gripping and excellent. ----The Straight Dope, Medium.com McGreal, an award-winning journalist, presents this grim cautionary tale of opioids, greed, and addiction in three acts: 'Dealing, ' 'Hooked, ' and Withdrawal'.... McGreal goes on to successfully address the question of how the greatest drug epidemic in history grew largely unchecked for nearly two decades....What can be done to reverse this? McGreal's powerfully stated indictment is a start. --Booklist, Starred Review This urgent, readable chronicle, which names names and pulls no punches, clearly and compassionately illuminates the evolution of America's mass addiction problem. --Publishers Weekly, Starred Review With great reporting and compelling storytelling, American Overdose lays bare the tragedy of the opioid epidemic tearing at the soul of the United States. Those who want to understand the issue of narcotics and addiction have to read it. --Ioan Grillo, author of El Narco McGreal shows how the overdose crisis was driven by the pursuit of profits, not just drugs-both of which combine our instinctive craving for pleasure with our evolving capacity for denial and deceit. Fascinating, disturbing, impressively researched and elegantly written. --Marc Lewis, author of The Biology of Desire: Why Addiction is Not a Disease In this gripping account, McGreal exposes the avarice and corruption that caused one of the most shocking crises in American history. A searing expose full of extraordinary characters - heroes, villains and victims. --Katty Kay, contributor MSNBC Morning Joe, presenter BBC World News America

[A] powerful account ... American Overdose is a tale of bad decision making, greed and malfeasance that is still unfolding, and not one about which we can afford to be complacent. --Nick Hopkinson, British Medical Journal An expos that will have readers riveted from cover to cover. --Green Bay Press Gazette In American Overdose Chris McGreal of the Guardian looks unsparingly at the causes of the opioid crisis that kills tens of thousands of Americans a year. --The Economist McGreal provides a scorching expos ....Most important, American Overdose tells the story of institutional failure and corruption: among local officials, in federal agencies, the United States Congress, and the White House. --Psychology Today online Compelling.... reads like a white-collar The Wire, with a cast of characters determined to exact as much money as possible regardless of the human cost. --The Observer Staggering... Zola-esque in its dark twists and turns. --Ed Vulliamy, Literary Review McGreal, an award-winning journalist, presents this grim cautionary tale of opioids, greed, and addiction in three acts: 'Dealing, ' 'Hooked, ' and Withdrawal'.... McGreal goes on to successfully address the question of how the greatest drug epidemic in history grew largely unchecked for nearly two decades....What can be done to reverse this? McGreal's powerfully stated indictment is a start. --Booklist, Starred Review A deftly researched account of America's opioid epidemic. McGreal's book is authoritative in tone and vernacular in style....[A] powerful narrative. --Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review In this gripping account, McGreal exposes the avarice and corruption that caused one of the most shocking crises in American history. A searing expose full of extraordinary characters - heroes, villains and victims. --Katty Kay, contributor MSNBC Morning Joe, presenter BBC World News America A fast, accessible read for those trying to come to terms with a national nightmare. --Law & Crime Vivid reporting... [McGreal] explains in horrifying detail how this vision of a pain-free America - pharmacologically unrealistic to begin with - was subverted by a greedy combination of pharmaceutical companies, drug distributors, doctors and pharmacists, aided and abetted by complacent regulators and politicians. --Financial Times Astonishing... McGreal's book is forensic in its detailing and turns up some eye-popping examples. --Esquire UK An engaging, cogently argued book. --Evening Standard [A] searing book... Appalachian accents and anger steam off the page. --The Sunday Times [A] powerful encapsulation of that epidemic....a timely examination of hard-won lessons. --Nature Thorough, gripping and excellent. ----The Straight Dope, Medium.com This urgent, readable chronicle, which names names and pulls no punches, clearly and compassionately illuminates the evolution of America's mass addiction problem. --Publishers Weekly, Starred Review With great reporting and compelling storytelling, American Overdose lays bare the tragedy of the opioid epidemic tearing at the soul of the United States. Those who want to understand the issue of narcotics and addiction have to read it. --Ioan Grillo, author of El Narco McGreal shows how the overdose crisis was driven by the pursuit of profits, not just drugs-both of which combine our instinctive craving for pleasure with our evolving capacity for denial and deceit. Fascinating, disturbing, impressively researched and elegantly written. --Marc Lewis, author of The Biology of Desire: Why Addiction is Not a Disease American Overdose confirms Chris McGreal's stature as one of the truly essential reporters of our times. It is - in its investigative depth and documentary breadth - a riveting and urgent reckoning of colossal corruption that has taken such a staggering toll on twenty-first century American life. --Philip Gourevitch, author of We Wish To Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our Families

A detailed view of the corruption that enabled the spread of opiates to go unchecked by the healthcare industry, government or law enforcement. --London Review of Books [A] powerful account ... American Overdose is a tale of bad decision making, greed and malfeasance that is still unfolding, and not one about which we can afford to be complacent. --Nick Hopkinson, British Medical Journal A fast, accessible read for those trying to come to terms with a national nightmare. --Law & Crime Vivid reporting... [McGreal] explains in horrifying detail how this vision of a pain-free America - pharmacologically unrealistic to begin with - was subverted by a greedy combination of pharmaceutical companies, drug distributors, doctors and pharmacists, aided and abetted by complacent regulators and politicians. --Financial Times Astonishing... McGreal's book is forensic in its detailing and turns up some eye-popping examples. --Esquire UK Staggering... Zola-esque in its dark twists and turns. --Ed Vulliamy, Literary Review Thorough, gripping and excellent. ----The Straight Dope, Medium.com This urgent, readable chronicle, which names names and pulls no punches, clearly and compassionately illuminates the evolution of America's mass addiction problem. --Publishers Weekly, Starred Review McGreal shows how the overdose crisis was driven by the pursuit of profits, not just drugs-both of which combine our instinctive craving for pleasure with our evolving capacity for denial and deceit. Fascinating, disturbing, impressively researched and elegantly written. --Marc Lewis, author of The Biology of Desire: Why Addiction is Not a Disease In this gripping account, McGreal exposes the avarice and corruption that caused one of the most shocking crises in American history. A searing expose full of extraordinary characters - heroes, villains and victims. --Katty Kay, contributor MSNBC Morning Joe, presenter BBC World News America An expose that will have readers riveted from cover to cover. --Green Bay Press Gazette In American Overdose Chris McGreal of the Guardian looks unsparingly at the causes of the opioid crisis that kills tens of thousands of Americans a year. --The Economist McGreal provides a scorching expose....Most important, American Overdose tells the story of institutional failure and corruption: among local officials, in federal agencies, the United States Congress, and the White House. --Psychology Today online An engaging, cogently argued book. --Evening Standard Compelling.... reads like a white-collar The Wire, with a cast of characters determined to exact as much money as possible regardless of the human cost. --The Observer [A] searing book... Appalachian accents and anger steam off the page. --The Sunday Times [A] powerful encapsulation of that epidemic....a timely examination of hard-won lessons. --Nature McGreal, an award-winning journalist, presents this grim cautionary tale of opioids, greed, and addiction in three acts: 'Dealing, ' 'Hooked, ' and Withdrawal'.... McGreal goes on to successfully address the question of how the greatest drug epidemic in history grew largely unchecked for nearly two decades....What can be done to reverse this? McGreal's powerfully stated indictment is a start. --Booklist, Starred Review A deftly researched account of America's opioid epidemic. McGreal's book is authoritative in tone and vernacular in style....[A] powerful narrative. --Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review With great reporting and compelling storytelling, American Overdose lays bare the tragedy of the opioid epidemic tearing at the soul of the United States. Those who want to understand the issue of narcotics and addiction have to read it. --Ioan Grillo, author of El Narco American Overdose confirms Chris McGreal's stature as one of the truly essential reporters of our times. It is - in its investigative depth and documentary breadth - a riveting and urgent reckoning of colossal corruption that has taken such a staggering toll on twenty-first century American life. --Philip Gourevitch, author of We Wish To Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our Families

[A] powerful account ... American Overdose is a tale of bad decision making, greed and malfeasance that is still unfolding, and not one about which we can afford to be complacent. --Nick Hopkinson, British Medical Journal An expos that will have readers riveted from cover to cover. --Green Bay Press Gazette A fast, accessible read for those trying to come to terms with a national nightmare. --Law & Crime In American Overdose Chris McGreal of the Guardian looks unsparingly at the causes of the opioid crisis that kills tens of thousands of Americans a year. --The Economist Vivid reporting... [McGreal] explains in horrifying detail how this vision of a pain-free America - pharmacologically unrealistic to begin with - was subverted by a greedy combination of pharmaceutical companies, drug distributors, doctors and pharmacists, aided and abetted by complacent regulators and politicians. --Financial Times McGreal provides a scorching expos ....Most important, American Overdose tells the story of institutional failure and corruption: among local officials, in federal agencies, the United States Congress, and the White House. --Psychology Today online Astonishing... McGreal's book is forensic in its detailing and turns up some eye-popping examples. --Esquire UK An engaging, cogently argued book. --Evening Standard Compelling.... reads like a white-collar The Wire, with a cast of characters determined to exact as much money as possible regardless of the human cost. --The Observer [A] searing book... Appalachian accents and anger steam off the page. --The Sunday Times Staggering... Zola-esque in its dark twists and turns. --Ed Vulliamy, Literary Review [A] powerful encapsulation of that epidemic....a timely examination of hard-won lessons. --Nature Thorough, gripping and excellent. ----The Straight Dope, Medium.com McGreal, an award-winning journalist, presents this grim cautionary tale of opioids, greed, and addiction in three acts: 'Dealing, ' 'Hooked, ' and Withdrawal'.... McGreal goes on to successfully address the question of how the greatest drug epidemic in history grew largely unchecked for nearly two decades....What can be done to reverse this? McGreal's powerfully stated indictment is a start. --Booklist, Starred Review This urgent, readable chronicle, which names names and pulls no punches, clearly and compassionately illuminates the evolution of America's mass addiction problem. --Publishers Weekly, Starred Review A deftly researched account of America's opioid epidemic. McGreal's book is authoritative in tone and vernacular in style....[A] powerful narrative. --Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review With great reporting and compelling storytelling, American Overdose lays bare the tragedy of the opioid epidemic tearing at the soul of the United States. Those who want to understand the issue of narcotics and addiction have to read it. --Ioan Grillo, author of El Narco McGreal shows how the overdose crisis was driven by the pursuit of profits, not just drugs-both of which combine our instinctive craving for pleasure with our evolving capacity for denial and deceit. Fascinating, disturbing, impressively researched and elegantly written. --Marc Lewis, author of The Biology of Desire: Why Addiction is Not a Disease In this gripping account, McGreal exposes the avarice and corruption that caused one of the most shocking crises in American history. A searing expose full of extraordinary characters - heroes, villains and victims. --Katty Kay, contributor MSNBC Morning Joe, presenter BBC World News America American Overdose confirms Chris McGreal's stature as one of the truly essential reporters of our times. It is - in its investigative depth and documentary breadth - a riveting and urgent reckoning of colossal corruption that has taken such a staggering toll on twenty-first century American life. --Philip Gourevitch, author of We Wish To Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our Families

Author Information

Chris McGreal is a reporter for the Guardian and former journalist at the BBC. He was the Guardian's correspondent in Johannesburg, Jerusalem and Washington DC, and now writes from across the United States. He has won several awards including for his reporting of the genocide in Rwanda, coverage of Israel/Palestine, and for writing on the impact of economic recession in modern America. He received the James Cameron prize for ""work as a journalist that has combined moral vision and professional integrity"". He was awarded the Martha Gellhorn Prize for Journalism for reporting that ""penetrated the established version of events and told an unpalatable truth"". He is a former merchant seaman.

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