Ed Bisch A Grieving Dad Spearheads the Fight Against Opioids

Ed Bisch A Grieving Dad Spearheads the Fight Against Opioids

Author: Joanie Sigal August 15, 2025 Duration: 39:23

Ed Bisch is an activist who founded Relatives Against Purdue Pharma (RAPP) after his son, Eddie, died from an OxyContin overdose in 2001. After Eddie's death, Ed started a website to warn others about the dangers of OxyContin and began connecting with other parents who had lost children to the drug. This led to the formation of RAPP, a group that has been actively protesting and seeking to hold Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family accountable for their role in the opioid crisis.

Key details about Ed Bisch and RAPP:

  • Formation: Ed Bisch founded RAPP around 2003 with three other mothers who also lost children to opioids. Anyone who has stood up to Purdue Pharma or spoken out against them is considered a member.

  • Activism: RAPP is known for holding protests and attending hearings, often with photos of their deceased children, to keep pressure on the company and its owners. Ed has also been a claimant in a class-action lawsuit against Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family.

  • Goal: The primary goal of RAPP is for Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family executives to receive jail time for their involvement in the opioid crisis, arguing that financial penalties are not enough of a deterrent.

  • Media Attention: Ed Bisch's activism has been featured in various media, including the MTV series "True Life," the MSNBC special "The Forgotten Epidemic," and articles by authors like Beth Macy ("Dopesick" and "Raising Lazarus"). He has been a consistent voice calling for the Department of Justice to prosecute the Sacklers.

  • Settlement Views: Ed Bisch has been vocal in his criticism of the various settlements reached with the Sackler family, calling them "a bankruptcy scam" and a "sad joke" because the payouts to victims are very small and the Sacklers' fortune remains largely untouched. He also points out that the settlements often include immunity from future civil lawsuits.

HELP SUPPORT OUR FIGHT AGAINST ADDICTION. DONATE HERE:
https://www.patreon.com/theaddictionpodcast

 

PART OF THE GOOD NEWS PODCAST NETWORK.

AUDIO VERSIONS OF ALL OUR EPISODES:
https://theaddictionpodcast.com

CONTACT US:
The Addiction Podcast - Point of No Return
theaddictionpodcast@yahoo.com


Intro and Outro music by:

Decisions by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100756

Artist: http://incompetech.com/


Hosted by Joanie Sigal, The Addiction Podcast-Point of No Return is a raw and necessary conversation about substance use and the path out of it. This isn't a clinical lecture, but a collection of real voices from the heart of the crisis. You'll hear from people who have lived through addiction to opioids, heroin, cocaine, prescription drugs, and fentanyl, sharing their journeys from dependence to recovery. The podcast also makes space for the families and loved ones whose lives are intertwined with this struggle, offering their perspectives on the chaos, the repeated attempts at rehab, and the strategies that finally made a difference. Each episode tackles the complex societal and personal issues surrounding addiction, all while grounding the discussion in tangible hope and practical recovery options. By focusing on these firsthand accounts, Joanie creates a podcast that serves as both a lifeline and a roadmap for anyone touched by this challenge-whether you're seeking help for yourself or striving to understand how to support someone else. Tune in for stories that don't shy away from the darkness but consistently point toward the light of resilience and regained control.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Addiction Podcast-Point of No Return
Podcast Episodes
Hon Mary Bono Powerful Advocate for Addiction Prevention [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:21
A successful businesswoman and well-known political leader, Congresswoman Mary Bono (ret.) was hailed as the "embodiment of powerful American womanhood" by the Washington Times, rising to become Chairman of the influenti…
Julieta Santagostino Working for a Drug Free World [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:58
Julieta's powerful journey from the border town of Juarez, Mexico, to becoming a relentless advocate for drug education is nothing short of inspiring. Growing up in a community deeply affected by drug abuse, she witnesse…
Lang Martinez Sober and Giving Back Living his Best Life [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:25
Lang Martinez, a resident of Los Angeles, CA, has successfully transformed his life's challenges into a compelling narrative of resilience. As a Trauma Survivor, Unconventional Advocate, Recovery Mentor, Hope Dealer and…
DeDee Pfeiffer - Actress and Activist in Helping Others in Addiction [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:02
Dedee Pfeiffer, celebrated actress and younger sister of Michelle Pfeiffer, is known for her roles in hit shows like *Cybill* and *For Your Love* and her recent return to television as Denise Brisbane in ABC's *Big Sky.*…
Jackie Siegel - Helping Others with Victorias Voice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:20
Jackie Siegel is best known for her role in the award-winning documentary feature, Queen of Versailles (Magnolia Pictures), which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2012. A little back story: Jackie earned the "Q…
Denise Barnes NARCAN+911 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:38
Denise Barnes is a devoted mother of three, married to a wonderful Christian husband, and a proud native of San Diego, California. Her family, deeply rooted in their love for surfing and faith, faced an unimaginable trag…
Rev Melissa Hayward Tucker Faith Overcoming Addiction's Chains [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:55
Melissa Hayward-Tucker was caught in the grip of addiction for years, a victim of drugs and alcohol from her early teens. Growing up in a turbulent world of abandonment, domestic violence, and abuse, she faced trauma mos…
Lance Dyer - Turning his Grief to Fight Against Synthetics [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:39
In 2012, 14-year-old Dakota Dyer tragically took his own life after trying a synthetic drug. His father, Lance Dyer, was determined to prevent other families from experiencing this devastation. Confronted with the growin…
Lauren Sisler From Grief to Greatness Shatterproof [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:25
Lauren Sisler is an Emmy Award-winning sports broadcaster, ESPN sideline reporter, author, and keynote speaker known for her sideline shimmy. After landing her dream career with ESPN, reporting on college football and gy…
Marcel Gemme Drug Education Child Approved [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:55
Marcel Gemme is a Drug and Alcohol Treatment Specialist (DATS) and a member of NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals who concentrates on helping families find help for their loved ones. He is the founder an…