The Georgia Council on Substance Abuse
S.O.S. / Shame on Sackler Project
GCSA Calls on Georgia Congressional Delegation
Support the Nondebtor Release Prohibition Act of 2021
The Georgia Council on Substance Abuse is proud to introduce the S.O.S. / Shame on Sackler Project. As providers of direct services to people in or seeking recovery, GCSA is acutely aware of the damage that the Sackler family has wrought in our communities. From corrupting the supply chain of prescription pain medications, to dishonest marketing practices, to lying about the addictive qualities of their product, it is time for the Sackler Family members to face accountability.
Today, GCSA. along with our peers across America, are calling for the Sackler Family to face criminal charges. Over the next several weeks, we will highlight news surrounding the Sackler Family and their role in America’s Opioid Crisis.
An important start to holding the Sackler Family accountable is for Congress to pass the Nondebtor Release Prohibition Act of 2021 by United States Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and United States Representatives Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) and Carolyn B. Maloney (D-N.Y.)
This important legislation prevents courts from granting non-debtor releases where creditors do not agree to the liability waiver.
Since Purdue Pharma filed for bankruptcy, the Sackler family has tried to use non-debtor releases, or non-consensual third-party releases, to protect themselves and their assets from lawsuits linked to the opioid crisis. The Nondebtor Release Prohibition Act of 2021 would virtually eliminate the use of non-consensual, non-debtor releases in private claims and those brought by the government.
The Georgia Council on Substance Abuse calls on President Biden, Speaker Pelosi, and Leader Schumer to move the Nondebtor Release Prohibition Act of 2021 towards a full vote as fast as possible.
The Georgia Council on Substance Abuse also calls upon Georgia’s Congressional Delegation to both co-sponsor and publicly announce their intent to vote for the Nondebtor Release Prohibition Act of 2021.
“Billionaires like the Sackler’s want to get the benefits of bankruptcy while they keep their assets secret. That’s wrong. It is time for the Recovery Community to demand that Congress pass legislation to force the Sackler Family to face criminal charges. Non-debtor releases have become a weapon used by corporate insiders to deprive the people they’ve harmed of the rights and remedies they deserve. A large part of being in recovery is being accountable for the choices we have made. We make amends and promise to do better. We deserve accountability for the devastation felt by individuals, families and communities because of the irresponsible actions of the Sackler Family and their ilk.” said Neil Campbell, Executive Director of the Georgia Council on Substance Abuse.
“Since Purdue Pharma filed for bankruptcy, the Sackler family has tried to use non-debtor releases, or non-consensual third-party releases, to protect themselves and their assets from lawsuits linked to the opioid crisis. This loophole in bankruptcy law is being used by the Sackler Family to escape personal accountability for their actions by shielding themselves through a bankruptcy proceeding of another corporation or entity. The Nondebtor Release Prohibition Act of 2021 would virtually eliminate the ability of the Sackler Family to abuse bankruptcy laws to avoid criminal charges’” said Jeff Breedlove, Chief of Policy Georgia Council on Substance Abuse.
For Additional Information
Jeff Breedlove
Chief of Policy and Communications
Georgia Council on Substance Abuse
404-615-5735
