| Summary: | A joint investigation with The Washington Post into how efforts by the DEA and DOJ to curb the opioid epidemic were undermined by Congress, lobbyists, and drug distribution companies; and an interview with Joe Rannazzisi, former deputy administration DEA turned whistleblower. As opioids continue to flood the black market, Rannazzisi extended his investigation from corrupt doctors and clinics to the drug distribution companies responsible for shipping the drugs from manufacturers to clinics and chain drug stores. He accused the distributors of ignoring requisite preventative measures such as halting suspicious and fraudulent orders; retaliation against the DEA after being fined; using influence to pressure DEA lawyers to ease sentencing. This all resulted in fewer prosecutions, as former DEA attorneys were promoted to high-ranking positions within the private drug industry companies. In 2013, the drug industry lobbied Congress for legislation that ultimately stripped authority and agency away from the DEA in an act of diversion. The bill was written by Linden Barber, former DEA agent turned lobbyist, and introduced to Congress by Representative Tom Marino (R- PA) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and passed with no objections. Includes interviews with: Joe Rannazzisi, former DEA deputy assistant administrator, Office of Diversion Control; Jim Geldoff, former DEA; Frank Younker, former DEA; Jonathan Novak, former DEA attorney; Matt Murphy, former DEA agent turned drug industry consultant.
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