Local addiction recovery groups say this week's indictment of the former CEO of a Rochester drug distributor was a major victory for the families of loved ones who became addicted to opioids and later died from heroin overdoses.
"Now, the light's being shined on the real drug dealers because, let me tell you something, (the opioids) have to come from somewhere and when people like this, for money, will disregard human life, it sickens me," said Randy Cimino, president of Gates to Recovery.
Laurence Doud III, former CEO of Rochester Drug Co-Operative, is facing what federal prosecutors say are the first-ever criminal charges against a drug company executive stemming from the opioid crisis.
They accuse Doud of ignoring red flags about the amount of opioids that were ordered by certain pharmacies so he could enrich his company and himself. Doud, 75, is facing a mandatory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. His attorney says Doud will fight the charges.
Prosecutors say they will drop the criminal charges against the company if it improves its compliance system and practices, as it has promised. RDC will pay $20 million to resolve a civil complaint.
Cimini, who says four of his friends died of opioid overdoses in the last three years, wants Rochester Drug Co-Operative to be shut down.
"I would like to see them lose their company altogether," he said. “They showed that they're irresponsible. This individual wanted to line his pockets at the cost of people's lives - our children, our friends, our wives and husbands and everybody is dying and he's not paying attention."
Cimini says he and more than 100 other people whose loved ones died in the epidemic will stage a rally Friday at 5 p.m. across the street from the company's operations on Jetview Drive in Chili.
Click on the LISTEN link above to hear an interview.
Rochester Drug Cooperative issue this statement in advance of the rally:
"We support the right of groups and individuals to express their opinions. We know Rochester Drug Cooperative (RDC) has a role to play within the prescription drug supply chain. And, we take that responsibility seriously.
We readily admit that RDC’s previous management made mistakes. We have accepted responsibility for those mistakes. We encourage everyone to read our statement, the statement of facts and the compliance agreement we are implementing. You can find them here: www.rdcdrug.com
We are under new management and are putting into place a world-class compliance program. We would welcome the opportunity to have a thoughtful dialogue about the role we play within the prescription drug supply chain."
