American Cartel: Inside the Battle to Bring Down the Opioid Industry

AMERICAN CARTEL is a powerful and deeply documented film that explores the culpability of the drug companies behind the opioid epidemic. It follows a small band of DEA agents and lawyers who fought to hold the drug industry to account and found some semblance of justice for the families of the dead. The film reveals hundreds of thousands of confidential corporate emails and memos that show the indifference of big business to the epidemic's toll, and the narrative approach echoes such works as A Civil Action and The Insider.

Format: Hardback
Length: 416 pages
Publication date: 28 July 2022
Publisher: Little, Brown & Company

AMERICAN CARTEL is a powerful and meticulously researched exploration of the responsibility held by the pharmaceutical companies behind the devastating toll of the opioid epidemic. The film follows a small group of DEA agents, led by the tough-talking New Yorker Joseph Rannazzisi, who has dedicated thirty years to bringing down criminals. Alongside a team of dedicated lawyers, including West Virginia native Paul Farrell Jr., they tirelessly fought to hold the drug industry accountable for the largest man-made drug epidemic in American history. This is the story of underdogs triumphing over corporate greed and political cowardice, persevering in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, and ultimately achieving a semblance of justice for the families of the deceased.

During the intense courtroom battles with legions of prestigious law firms representing the opioid industry, the investigators and lawyers uncovered a staggering number of confidential corporate emails and memos. These revelations, ranging from mocking emails directed at addicts to invoices documenting the proliferation of pill mills, exposed the callous indifference of big business towards the devastating consequences of the epidemic. The narrative style of the film closely resembles works such as A Civil Action and The Insider, seamlessly transitioning between corporate boardrooms, courthouses, lobbying firms, DEA field offices, and Capitol Hill while vividly capturing the human impact of the epidemic on America's streets.

AMERICAN CARTEL is a testament to the individuals who were at the forefront of the fight to halt the relentless human carnage. Despite facing numerous setbacks and even having their careers destroyed by the very government officials who had sworn to uphold the law, they persevered and ultimately succeeded in challenging some of the most powerful corporate and political forces in the nation. The film serves as a powerful reminder of the unwavering dedication and resilience of those who fought against the tide of addiction and worked towards achieving a more just and equitable society.

Weight: 620g
Dimension: 234 x 158 x 40 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538737200