“Today’s settlement with Purdue Pharma, the makers of OxyContin, is an important step toward restitution by the companies involved in fueling the opioid epidemic, a major public health crisis that has taken more than 450,000 lives in our country. It ensures that those who had a hand in this crisis are being held accountable and brings some justice to the lives lost.  

What’s most important is that proper steps be taken to ensure that dedicated funds go to those who need it most and we make it a priority to get people access to high-quality, evidence-based treatment just as people with other chronic diseases receive.  Shatterproof is committed to reversing the addiction crisis, and will do this in part by making sure the opioid settlement dollars are not squandered like with the tobacco settlement in the late 1990s. Equally important is the need to invest in educating the public around substance use disorders in order to prevent addiction and end the stigma and discrimination that surrounds it.” 

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About Gary Mendell: 
Gary Mendell is the founder and CEO of Shatterproof. He founded Shatterproof to spare others the tragedy his family suffered with the loss of his son Brian to addiction in 2011. Mr. Mendell is an experienced businessman and CEO who founded HEI Hotels & Resorts and is the former president of Starwood Lodging Trust. 

About Shatterproof: 
Shatterproof is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to reversing the course of the addiction crisis in America. Shatterproof is focused on ensuring that American substance use disorder treatment is based upon proven research and ending the stigma of addiction. The organization advocates for changes to federal and state policy, payer reform, treatment quality assessment, and provides public education through online programs. For more information, visit www.Shatterproof.org.