Harvard Keeps Sackler Name Despite Protests

In a controversial decision, the Harvard Corporation has opted to retain the name of Arthur M. Sackler on two museum buildings, diverging from a growing trend among institutions that have removed the Sackler name due to its association with the opioid crisis. Notable institutions like Tufts University, the Louvre Museum, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art have previously taken steps to dissociate from the Sackler name, which has become synonymous with the opioid epidemic largely due to Purdue Pharma's aggressive marketing of OxyContin. The decision has sparked outrage from advocacy groups, particularly Prescription Addiction Intervention Now (P.A.I.N.), founded by photographer Nan Goldin, who has personal experience with OxyContin addiction. P.A.I.N. criticized Harvard's choice, labeling it an affront to overdose victims and their families. They expressed disappointment over the university's refusal to act on proposals for renaming and highlighted the protests from students and community members advocating for change. Harvard's committee defended its decision, stating that it did not find sufficient evidence to hold Sackler accountable for the misuse of opioids that followed the introduction of OxyContin in 1996. The committee emphasized that the culpability for the opioid epidemic lies with those who promoted the drugs abusively, rather than the innovators themselves. This decision comes in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling that rejected a settlement with Purdue Pharma, which would have shielded the Sackler family from civil lawsuits while providing funds to address the opioid crisis. The ongoing debate over the Sackler legacy continues to evoke strong emotions and calls for accountability.