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Conspiracy Theories Are An Integral Part Of Society

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Conspiracy theories are an integral part of society to answer the world’s unexplained questions. It is a theory that explains an event or set of circumstances as the result of a secret plot by usually powerful conspirators (Merriam-Webster). There are various ways to categorize these theories. According to Jesse Walker, there are five kinds: The enemy outside, the enemy within, the enemy above, the enemy below, and benevolent conspiracies (p. __). On the other hand Michael Barkun believes there are three types: event conspiracy, systematic conspiracy, and super-conspiracy (p. 6). The conspiracy theory at hand revolves around Purdue Pharmaceuticals (Purdue Pharma), and their release of opioids. Opium is a plant that was used from 1804 to now. In 1972 Contin was put on the market at a controlled drug-release system (Purdue Pharma L.P.). In 1984 MS Contin was put on the market as an extended-release formula of morphine, and in 1996 OxyContin was put on the market as an extended-release formula of Oxycodone (Van Zee). These drugs were released in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. According to the Center for Addiction and Mental Health these drugs are commonly used for pain and recreational use (__). Purdue Pharmaceuticals did not notify doctors and patients of the drug’s addictive properties, thus creating the opioid addiction epidemic in America. Due to them concealing the truth, a six hundred million dollar lawsuit was settled in May 2007, with more lawsuits to come

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