Salem-News.com Articles written by Marianne Skolek

The Smoking Gun Series - Is it time for an Investigation into Drug-Free Kids and their Finances?

Drug overdose deaths in the US have soared while much money is being made.

(MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.) - In recent years, I have had the good fortune of communicating with Mike White while he headed DIRECTV. He impressed me as being a "hands on - take charge" CEO who ran a tight ship.

Earlier this month, Mike became Chairman of Partnership for Drug-Free Kids and my level of concern was peaked. Why would Partnership need the expertise of communications and technology while the country is being ravaged by addiction and death to prescription opioids/heroin?

Sackler Family, Owners of the Maker of OxyContin make List of America`s Richest

Unimaginable wealth funds a pain foundation, which is under investigation.

(MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.) - As families throughout the U.S. are losing their children to addiction and death because of the criminal lies in the marketing of OxyContin, the Sackler family lives a life style most people could only imagine.

Forbes Magazine recently listed America's richest families and the owners of Purdue Pharma, maker of the highly addictive opioid, OxyContin made the list at a whopping $14 billion net worth.

Target Stores Mock Parents Who have Lost children to the Prescription Opioid/Heroin Epidemic!

It is irresponsible to sell pretend syringes in jest, when IV drug use is killing people more than ever.

(MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.) - Target Stores have been promoting a "Spritz Halloween Syringe Pen" for sale in their "family" stores all over the country. (Photo of syringe pens are shown).

When I learned of Target's outrageous retail practice of profiting from a drug epidemic which is resulting in deaths and addictions in the tens of thousands, I emailed the following to John Mulligan, Executive VP...

Breaking the Stigma of Addiction - Matt`s Story

The speeches and news coverage came too late for this family.

(MYRTLE BEACH, SC) - On January 3, 2015, Matthew Klosowski died from a prescription drug overdose. Matt had become addicted to prescription opioids after suffering a back injury and resulting surgery in Delaware. He was 37 years old when he died in a hotel room in Florida.

I connected with Matt's mom, Marybeth Cichocki shortly after his death. Marybeth wanted to tell Matt's story and I wanted to hear it.

U.S. Senators are Outraged by FDA Approving OxyContin for Children!

Your voice counts. Change this sad future for ill children.

(MYRTLE BEACH, SC) - In 2009 and 2011, I warned that the maker of OxyContin, Purdue Pharma was positioning to have their killer opioid marketed for pain in children as well as something they called "pregnancy pain."

After I made a complaint to the FDA, Purdue Pharma was advised by officials from the "watchdogs of America" (FDA) via conference call to cease and desist any and all marketing of OxyContin for "pregnancy pain."

FDA Allows Creator of OxyContin to Conduct Its Own Studies on Childhood Uses

If you have ever wondered if the FDA is corrupt, this should leave you thinking long and hard...well, are they?

(MYRTLE BEACH, SC) - The FDA has approved OxyContin for use in children to manage their chronic and extreme pain. If you are wondering what could the FDA possibly have been thinking in approving a drug for children that has been responsible for tens of thousands of deaths and addictions throughout the U.S since its release in the late 1990's -- there was no thought.

Don't even try to imagine how the FDA could have conducted studies with their research people and physicians under the watchful eyes of the heads of the agency because they did not.

Where is the Outrage? FDA Approves OxyContin for Children and I warned you in 2009 and 2011!

Drugging America's children is apparently one of the easiest things to do.

(MYRTLE BEACH, SC) - In April 2011, I wrote an article for Salem-News.com (shown below in its entirety with comments from contributors to OxyContin being prescribed to children as guinea pigs).

Today, the FDA announced that Purdue Pharma, maker of OxyContin has been given the green light to prescribe the killer drug to children. The news has caused a frenzy of outrage from organizations and individuals fighting the prescription opioid epidemic in the U.S. and Canada.

Florida Board of Medicine Appears Oblivious to Pill Mill Crisis

Florida Board of Medicine: you have a pill mill crisis in your state! Why are you contributing to it?

(MYRTLE BEACH, SC) - There is an organization of ordinary citizens operating out of Florida called StoppNow. These ordinary citizens recognize that pill mills operating out of storefront buildings are warehouses of prescription opioids who are dispensing pills to hopelessly addicted people lined up outside the storefront pill mills.

StoppNow organizes picket lines in front of the pill mills calling attention to law enforcement and the D.E.A. that people are dying and families torn apart because of these pill mills. Ordinary citizens saving lives -- heroes in every sense of the word.

To: Canada -- Should Lynn R. Webster, MD be serving on your prescription opioid advisory panel?

Lynn R. Webster, MD is banned from prescribing painkillers and from working at any pain clinic in the U.S.

(MYRTLE BEACH, SC) - An organization in Canada called "Get Prescription Drugs Off the Street" aka GPDOTS.com (website www.GPDOTS.com) headed by Amy Graves recently wrote a letter to the Canadian Minister of Health. A copy of their letter is a part of this article.

GPDOTS has justifiable concern as they reference "Pharmaceutical marketing and their conflicts of interest in Canada."

Is Senator Joe Manchin of WV a Hero or a Hypocrite in the Prescription Opioid Epidemic?

The line between Heroism and Hypocrisy should not be so thin.

(MYRTLE BEACH, SC) - Last week I received an email from a mother who lost her child to the prescription opioid/heroin health crisis crippling every state in the country.

The email read "I hope to get an appointment to see Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia when I visit Washington, DC -- I think he gets it." But, does Manchin "get it" in the sense this mother thinks?