Connecticut Rewards Purdue Pharma for Keeping 'Youth Safe'

Connecticut awards criminally convicted Purdue Pharma; True Definition of the Word "Irony" -- Purdue Pharma honored for drug prevention efforts -- in keeping "youth safe"

Lt. Governor Michael Fedele (left), and Jill Spineti, President and CEO of The Governor’s Prevention Partnership, join Alan Must of Ridgefield, Vice President, State Government and Legislative Affairs for Purdue Pharma L.P., at the 2010 Governor’s Luncheon.

(MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.) - "We have the incredible privilege of serving in the highest offices in the state. We must prove ourselves worthy of our fellow citizens' faith. We must be trusted to always place the public's good above our own and to always choose fairness over favoritism." - Governor Jodi Rell of Connecticut

Marianne Skolek

As hard a pill as it is to swallow, the criminals at Purdue Pharma were recently honored for their strong commitment to keeping Connecticut’s youth "safe, successful and drug-free." Purdue Pharma received the Leadership Award at the 20th Annual Governor’s Luncheon held by The Governor’s Prevention Partnership Oct. 20 at the Hartford Marriott in Farmington, CT. The award recognized Purdue Pharma for its "dedication to making a real difference in keeping Connecticut’s youth off drugs specifically through its funding and support of Regional Action Councils (RACs) across the state."

“Purdue Pharma has been a strong supporter of our efforts both financially and by committing time to our goal of keeping Connecticut’s youth drug-free,” said Jill K. Spineti, President and CEO of The Governor’s Prevention Partnership. “Their support has made it possible to do local work in communities across the state where we have achieved strong results. We’re honored to have Alan Must, Vice President for State, Government and Legislative Affairs of Purdue, serve on our board of directors and his support – along with the support of his company -- has been invaluable.”

“It’s an honor to give back to the community and to be part of the fight to keep Connecticut’s kids healthy and drug-free,” said Alan Must. “Purdue Pharma is deeply committed to increasing awareness of the dangers of abusing medications and to supporting prevention programs that help our youth resist drug abuse. We’re deeply honored to be receiving this award from The Governor’s Prevention Partnership.”

“Connecticut’s youth face an unprecedented series of dangers – drugs and alcohol, bullying, lack of positive role models – and Connecticut’s leaders from the public and private sectors – like Purdue -- have chosen to stand up and help,” Spineti added. “We are building the tools needed to keep Connecticut’s youth safe, successful and drug free so they can become part of a successful workforce tomorrow. A lot remains to be done, but we are succeeding and it’s because of leaders like Purdue Pharma, Alan Must and the many others who have chosen to support The Governor’s Prevention Partnership and the youth of Connecticut that we have come so far.”

With a focus on Connecticut’s youth, the Governor’s Prevention Partnership is a statewide public-private alliance, building a strong, healthy workforce through leadership in mentoring, and prevention of violence and bullying, underage drinking, alcohol and drug abuse.

Obviously Governor Jodi Rell and Jill Spineti don't have a problem with rewarding a company responsible for the epidemic of OxyContin death, abuse and addiction in every state in the country as well as Canada. Did they not care that in July 2007, the three CEO's of Purdue Pharma - Michael Friedman, Howard Udell and Paul Goldenheim pleaded guilty and were sentenced in Federal Court for misleading physicians and patients as to the addictive and abusive qualities of OxyContin? Three years later, Governor Rell and Miss Spineti feel it appropriate to reward Purdue Pharma for the holocaust of drug problems we have with youth and OxyContin. Shame on them!

For those parents who have lost children to OxyContin in death and addiction because of the criminal marketing by Purdue Pharma -- who will have empty chairs at the Thanksgiving table this month, below are telephone numbers for you to tell Governor Rell and Jill Spineti about "how Purdue Pharma kept your child safe" in their marketing of OxyContin -- and your outrage at any reward given to Purdue Pharma.

Maybe Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger of California can team with John Walsh of America's Most Wanted in giving Charles Manson an award for keeping youth safe in California -- I'm sure Governor Rell and Ms. Spineti can help Schwarzenegger and Walsh in coming up with something appropriate -- since they have no problem with rewarding convicted criminals. Purdue Pharma keeping youth safe -- give me a break.

Governor M. Jodi Rell - 860-566-4840
Jill Spineti, Connecticut Governor's Prevention Partnership
- 860-523-8042 or cell 860-989-6554

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Salem-News.com Reporter Marianne Skolek, is an Activist for Victims of OxyContin throughout the United States and Canada. In July 2007, she testified against Purdue Pharma in Federal Court in Virginia at the sentencing of their three CEO's who pled guilty to charges of marketing OxyContin as less likely to be addictive or abused to physicians and patients. She also testified against Purdue Pharma at a Judiciary Hearing of the U.S. Senate in July 2007. Marianne works with government agencies and private attorneys in having a voice for her daughter Jill, who died in 2002 after being prescribed OxyContin, as well as the voice for scores of victims of OxyContin. She has been involved in her work for the past 7-1/2 years and is currently working on a book that exposes Purdue Pharma for their continued criminal marketing of OxyContin.

Marianne is a nurse having graduated in 1991 as president of her graduating class. She also has a Paralegal certification. Marianne served on a Community Service Board for the Courier News, a Gannet newspaper in NJ writing articles predominantly regarding AIDS patients and their emotional issues. She was awarded a Community Service Award in 1993 by the Hunterdon County, NJ HIV/AIDS Task Force in recognition of and appreciation for the donated time, energy and love in facilitating a Support Group for persons with HIV/AIDS.

oxydeaths.com/news_chilling.htm
nytimes.com/2007/05/10/business/11drug-web.html?
blog.nj.com/njv_bob_braun/2007/07/sometimes_only_justice_can_rel.html
judiciary.senate.gov/hearings/testimony.cfm?id=2905&wit_id=6612
You can send Marianne an email at: mskolek@aol.com
oxydeaths.com