Filing for bankruptcy protection would stop the lawsuits and would let a judge supervise negotiations between Purdue Pharma and those suing the company.

An estimated 75 percent of heroin and fentanyl addicts first became addicted to prescription painkillers such as OxyContin.

That includes former paratrooper Matt Gossard, who received prescription painkillers after an injury from a parachute jump. Like millions of others, Matt got hooked on the pills, and when the prescription ran out, turned to the painkiller's cousin, heroin.

"Because it's almost the same thing," he told CBN News, "Except heroin's just stronger and it's cheaper and it's more available which is the scary part."

That was in Ohio, a state particularly hard hit by the opioid epidemic, similar to nearby West Virginia, where Alaine Vance became addicted to painkillers before switching to heroin.

"I remember mixing it up in the spoon thinking this might kill me. I may die," she told CBN News, "And then the longer I was in active addiction I remember thinking I hope this kills me. I'm ready to die."

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2017, more than 47,000 people died of overdoses involving opioids including prescription painkillers, heroin, and fentanyl.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is one of thousands to sue Purdue Pharma and others alleging company executives knowingly concealed the dangers of opioids.

"We had a number of pharmaceutical companies that developed pain meds and they were pushing those out, and they were telling the doctors, 'these are not very addictive,'" he told CBN News. "Turns out they are very addictive."

In a statement, Purdue Pharma said they are "deeply concerned" about the opioid addiction crisis and "proud of the actions we have taken to ensure opioids are prescribed appropriately." The statement also said the company is pushing increased access to the overdose antidote naloxone and is funding youth education programs warning of the dangers of opioids.

Meanwhile, every day more than 130 people in the US die after overdosing on opioids.

Matt could have been one of them, but discovered a way out.

"I believe that Jesus Christ is the answer. There is no other answer other than Christ," he said.

Likewise, after several attempts to come clean, Alaine said the only way to recovery is through the Cross.

"I started getting to know Jesus," she recalled, "And I realized that the same power that rose Him from the grave is what fights addiction."

Governor DeWine has partnered with churches across Ohio in an effort to help addicts recover because of similar success stories.

"The treatment that works many times has a faith-based component part to it," he said. Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Franklin Graham Issues a Call to Prayer: Wednesday January 14th at Noon ET

New Digital Project Allows the Shroud of Turin to Be Examined Online

Obama Judge Disrupts Trump Administration's Plans Again: Talwani Pauses Efforts to End Mass Parole for 10,000+ Migrants

Trump Administration Ends Temporary Protected Status for Thousands of Somalis in US

Scott Bessent Says There Are 'DISTURBING TAPES' of Minnesota AG Keith Ellison Taking Money to Stop Investigations into Somali Fraud

CNN Drops a Truth Bomb on the Left's Legal Efforts against ICE

An Insider Describes the Harrowing Situation in Iran, as the People Continue Their Fight for Freedom

Fight for Girls' Sports and Safety Taking Place in the US Supreme Court

Air Force Sergeant Ordered to Remove 'Jesus Is My King' Flag from Residence

What One State Found When Probing Voter Rolls for Noncitizens

Federal Judge Blocks Mamdani from Halting Bankruptcy Sales

Speaker Johnson: Tax Dollars 'Will Never Be Used to Pay for Abortion. Period. Full Stop. End of Sentence'

Yes, Renee Good's Actions Meet the Legal Definition of Domestic Terrorism

Fed Chair Jerome Powell Under Criminal Investigation

Trump's Latest Deal? 'We're Talking to Cuba, and You'll Find Out Pretty Soon'

Islamic Regime Kills 'Thousands' of Iranians, but the People Continue to Fight; 'Victory Is So Close'

Colorado to Pay Pro-life Pregnancy Center $5.4 Million after Losing Bid to Ban Abortion Pill Reversal

The Deadly Consequences of Democrats' War on ICE Enforcement

In Depth Report: Here Are the Socialist, Communist Groups behind the Nationwide Anti-ICE Protests

TSA Flags Millions in Somali Cash That Left the Minneapolis Airport