“It’s so easy to demonise Purdue and the Sacklers. I agree that what they did was terrible. I think a number of them should be in jail. But I’ve thought for some time that the issue behind it all is the structure of the system,” he said.
I really do get that sentiment, but IF the USA legal system had properly prosecuted Purdue execs from the get-go - there's a reasonable chance others would have been less inclined to also play the 'but what we're doing is technically not too illegal' card and try to run the same playbook.
The structure is doubtless a legal manifestation of Swiss cheese, but that doesn't mean the state can't react violently to a violent attack against its most vulnerable citizens.