Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson (second from left) listens to a question at a Sept. 28 news conference in Seattle announcing a lawsuit against several makers of opioids, including Purdue Pharma. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson (second from left) listens to a question at a Sept. 28 news conference in Seattle announcing a lawsuit against several makers of opioids, including Purdue Pharma. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

State lawsuit: Drug maker knew Oxy was too plentiful here

Purdue Pharma courted health care providers despite evidence of illicit use, a new document shows.

EVERETT — Health care providers in Everett who supplied patients with large amounts of opioids were deliberately courted by the maker of the pain medication OxyContin and provided drugs despite evidence suggesting the pills were destined for illicit use, newly unsealed court papers say.

The details are spelled out in an unredacted civil complaint filed Friday in King County Superior Court by the state Attorney General’s Office.

The documents were filed as part of the state’s lawsuit against Purdue Pharma, accusing the drug maker of laying the foundation for an opioid abuse problem that is now considered an epidemic.

The information previously had been kept under seal at the urging of the drug maker, which maintained it detailed trade secrets. King County Superior Court Judge Catherine Moore disagreed.

Among other things, the state’s unredacted complaint quotes an internal memo that says in 2008 a Purdue sales representative described patients frequenting one Everett pain clinic as “all 20 year old thugs with diamonds in their ears and $350.00 tennis shoes who always pay cash.”

The Purdue employee was sharing concerns about the Evergreen Way clinic formerly run by Dr. Delbert Lee Whetstone. The osteopath in 2012 was sentenced to three years in federal prison after pleading guilty to federal crimes related to hiding money from the IRS and prescribing controlled substances without a legitimate medical purpose.

It took Purdue three years to report worries about Whetstone to the Drug Enforcement Administration, the complaint notes.

The unredacted complaint also details the profligate drug-prescribing practices of another Everett doctor, who state attorneys maintain was recruited by Purdue to convince other physicians to dole out OxyContin. There is also information about a chain of pain centers, including one based in Everett, that was shuttered last year by state regulators after patient deaths from drug-related causes.

“These newly unsealed details further illustrate the mechanics of Purdue’s massive deception,” state Attorney General Bob Ferguson said in a press release. “Purdue ignored warning signs and their own studies while targeting high-prescribing doctors in Washington state. It’s time they are held accountable for the devastation this epidemic has caused.”

The state’s lawsuit is a separate legal action from one brought nearly a year ago by the city of Everett in federal court, also accusing Purdue of responsibility for the community’s addiction woes. Despite protests by lawyers representing the city, Everett’s case recently was ordered consolidated with dozens of other similar legal actions pending in federal courts around the nation.

Everett’s lawsuit alleges that Purdue chased profits and boosted sales while ignoring how its products were being diverted to illicit markets. When access to OxyContin was finally curtailed, many addicts turned to heroin.

According to the state, sales of opioid medications in Washington increased five-fold between 1997 and 2011. At its peak, enough of the drugs were in circulation to provide a 16-day supply for every person in Washington — man, woman and child, the press release said.

“Purdue’s business model depends on creating addicts to fuel its sales of branded extended release opioids, because according to internal documents, 87 percent of its OxyContin business is driven by continuing prescriptions,” the new complaint says. “When dependent users are unable to obtain prescription opioids they turn to illicit sources of opiates such as heroin.”

The state lawsuit details how the company built up its sales force during the years it was most heavily marketing OxyContin and the efforts it made, including spending money on lobbyists, to limit state regulation.

While the unredacted complaint focuses most intensely on some Everett health care providers, it also provides details about how OxyContin prescriptions grew around the state, including in Arlington, Olympia, Yelm, Shoreline, Richland, Bremerton and Port Angeles.

Opioid-related inpatient hospital stays jumped by 60 percent in Washington from 2009 to 2014 — the fourth-greatest increase in the nation, the lawsuit says.

Scott North: 425-339-3431; north@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @snorthnews.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

South County Fire plans push-in ceremony for newest fire engine

Anybody who attends will have the opportunity to help push the engine into the station.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

A car drives past a culvert blocked by grass along 123rd Avenue NE on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Little Pilchuck salmon project gets boost from $4.6M state grant

Washington’s Recreation and Conservation Office announced Tuesday that Snohomish… Continue reading

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Image provided by Snohomish County PUD
The three potential routes for a new transmission line between Maltby and Paradise. Construction is set to begin in 2028.
Snohomish County PUD plans open house to discuss new transmission line

The public utility will discuss three possible routes on July 31 for a new line between Maltby and Paradise.

From left to right, Lynnwood City Council Position 3 candidates Josh Binda, Tyler Hall and Bryce Owings.
Position 3 candidates focus on affordability amid city’s growth

City Council Vice President Josh Binda is seeking a second term against challengers Tyler Hall and Bryce Owings.

Traffic slows as it moves around the bend of northbound I-5 through north Everett on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Paving project will close I-5 lanes in Everett

Crews will close up to 4 lanes overnight for weeks to complete the $8.1 million repairs.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Snohomish man, who trained extremists, sentenced for illegal gun possession

An FBI investigation revealed Benton posted violent extremist content, neo-Nazi propaganda, and anti-Semitic materials on social media.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.