American Greed: Scams, Scoundrels and Scandals Season 12 Episode 2 Deadly Opioids, Dirty Doctors

American Greed: Scams, Scoundrels, and Scandals season 12 episode 2, titled "Deadly Opioids, Dirty Doctors," explores the opioid epidemic that has swept the nation and the role that corrupt physicians have played in fueling it. The episode highlights several cases of doctors who prioritized profits over patients and knowingly prescribed dangerous and addictive opioids, resulting in the deaths of countless individuals.

The episode begins with the story of a pill mill in Miami run by Dr. Armando Falcon and his accomplices. The group profited millions of dollars by prescribing excessive amounts of opioids to patients who didn't need them, resulting in several overdose deaths. The FBI eventually caught up with the group, and Dr. Falcon was sentenced to over 23 years in prison.

Next, the episode delves into the case of Dr. Lisa Tseng, a California physician who also operated a pill mill. Tseng prescribed an alarming amount of opioids to patients, which led to the deaths of nine individuals. She was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison, becoming the first doctor in the country to be convicted of murder for overprescribing opioids.

The episode also features the story of Dr. Felix Rodriguez, a Texas doctor who traded opioid prescriptions for sexual favors from his patients. Rodriguez's actions not only resulted in the deaths of several individuals but also exposed them to HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. He was ultimately sentenced to 20 years in prison.

In addition to these cases, the episode explores the larger issue of opioid addiction and the pharmaceutical industry's role in it. The show highlights the research that pharmaceutical companies conducted on the addictive properties of opioids, as well as their efforts to downplay those risks in order to boost sales.

"Deadly Opioids, Dirty Doctors" serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of prescription drug abuse and the need for greater oversight of the medical profession. The episode also raises important questions about the responsibilities of doctors and pharmaceutical companies in addressing the opioid crisis and protecting individuals from addiction and overdose.