The Opioid Matrix: A Journey Into the Rabbit Hole

Latest Episodes:

A Real Talk about Fake Pills with Song for Charlie Founder, Ed Ternan May 09, 2023

Show notes

After the sudden loss of their son Charlie to a counterfeit Perocet pill that contained illicit fentanyl, Ed and Mary Ternan created Song for Charlie with one goal: to bring awareness to counterfeit prescription pills being sold online targeting young people. The Ternans believe the best way to address the problem is to reduce demand for prescription meds by offering healthier alternatives for managing stress. They are also determined to cut through the misinformation that exists about pills and educate the most vulnerable group - young people between the ages of 13-24 - in messaging and campaigns that resonate with them.Join us as we discuss:

The use of social media by drug traffickers to target young people
The influence of cultural narratives, such as the glamorization of drug use in music and by influencers, and the importance of engaging in inner-city communities
National Fentanyl Awareness Day: May 9, 2023

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

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Love, Loss and the Fight Against Counterfeit Pills Apr 25, 2023

Show notes

Every day, over 300 deaths occur in America due to fentanyl overdoses — this month, approximately many people will unsuspectingly lose their lives due to counterfeit pills believed to be Adderall or Xanax. Who will be held responsible for these poisoning homicides that rob families of their loved ones every single day?
On this episode, we’re joined by Laura Didier, Outreach Coordinator and member of the Parent’s Advisory Committee at Song for Charlie — an organization that’s allowed her to pursue her life’s dedication to warn the world about the dangers of the counterfeit pills she lost her own son to.
Join us as we discuss:

Zach’s story and the common thread of tragic loss across the country
Taking a stand with mass education and awareness efforts
How to have genuinely effective conversations about drugs with your kids

Beating the Odds: From Addiction to Advocacy - meet Elissa Tierney Apr 25, 2023

Show notes

When we think about the opioid crisis, a few things immediately come to mind: Mexican cartels, substance users lost in the haze of addiction, and those who have lost their lives or their loved ones to overdose. So where are the success stories of those who have weathered the storm of addiction and found their way back to the light?
Our guest today is Elissa Tierney, Public Relations Specialist at Sea Change RCO and Co-Founder of Worth Saving. Having survived and conquered addiction herself, Elissa knows first-hand the long, hard journey required to emerge from the depths of addiction. Now as an advocate for changing the shame and stigma attached to addiction, Elissa works to spread awareness and get people the help they deserve.
Join us as we discuss:

Falling into and escaping addiction from the substance user’s point of view
Is it the norm that it takes visiting 15-20 different treatment facilities before long-term recovery is even a possibility?
The costs and benefits of a sober living community and harm reduction programs

FenBlock: A New Tool for Getting Clean Apr 11, 2023

Show notes

The off-ramp from long-term prescription opioid use for pain management is a grueling process — especially when patients are not provided with the proper instructions to do so.
But when pharmaceuticals like fentanyl come in patches at set dosage increments, how do you lower the dose at a rate steady enough to ensure success?
Today’s guest, Neil Jackson, Inventor and Patent Holder of FenBlock, says he’s found a possible answer — one that helped him finally get clean for good.
Join us as we discuss:

What FenBlock is and how it works
Neil’s recovery story
Going beyond harm reduction to reduce addiction rates

Harm Reduction & The Many Paths to Recovery Apr 04, 2023

Show notes

The drug epidemic is complicated. And just as there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to getting drugs off our streets, there isn’t one single path to recovery.
If we are going to tackle such a complex issue, we need a multi-pronged approach — law enforcement, clinical intervention, recovery and harm reduction each have their part to play.
In this episode, we’re speaking with Evan Done, Community Impact Director at USARA, about his involvement in the recovery and harm-reduction side of treating the epidemic.
Join us as we discuss:

Utah’s drug-induced homicide law
Balancing compassion for people with substance-use with penalties for trafficking and distribution
Why we need to understand there are multiple paths to recovery

How OxyContin Paved the Path to Fentanyl; A Doctor's Perspective Mar 30, 2023

Show notes

When OxyContin was approved in the ‘90s, how many could predict the skyrocketing opioid deaths or the rise of fentanyl in the road ahead? As we scramble to treat the symptoms of a fentanyl-dominated opioid market, what lessons can we learn from the past to prevent the next stage in the opioid epidemic’s evolution?
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Arun Gupta MD PC, Addiction Specialist, Family Physician and Author of The Preventable Epidemic, about the events that led the opioid epidemic to spiral out of control and what we can do to stop it before it gets worse.
Join us as we discuss:

How OxyContin paved the path to fentanyl
Better ways to taper-off of opioids
The role of medical training in the past and future of opioid addiction

Survival, Hope, and Breaking the Cycle of Substance Use Mar 29, 2023

Show notes

Family addiction, mental health troubles, a culture of substance abuse — in the drug epidemic, despair can lead one to conclude drug use is inevitable.
Today’s guest, Dr. Geri Lynn Utter, Clinical Psychologist in the Greater Philadelphia Area and Author of Mainlining Philly, proves everyday — in both her work and her personal story — that hope can overcome despair.
Join us as we discuss:

Dr. Utter’s experience growing up as the child of addicts
How her story helps her tackle the despair in her hometown
The connection between mental health and drug use

The Science Behind Drug Addiction and Treatment Mar 28, 2023

Show notes

We can tackle some of the symptoms of addiction through harm reduction, but we will never be able to curb the addiction itself without understanding one thing:
The “why” behind it.
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Michael Miller, CEO of the Miller Care Group, about how his clinical approach to addiction differs from others by drilling down into the root causes and treating addiction at the source — not just its symptoms.
Join us as we discuss:

The science behind drug addiction
How cartels benefit from drug decriminalization
The evolution of opioid addiction

Combatting the Transnational Organized Criminal Economy Feb 28, 2023

Show notes

Transnational Organized Criminal (TOC) groups and their proxies are part of a much larger centralized global criminal network. And the threat is larger than many expect — the intersectionality of global TOC actors has resulted in a billion dollar shadow economy fueled by human and drug trafficking
In this episode, we are joined by Anthony Stephen Malone, Former CIA Agent and British Paratrooper. Anthony reveals the secrets of interconnectivity in global crime he’s unveiled throughout his colorful and covert career.
Join us as we discuss:

How inaction emboldens cartels
UK’s preparation for the expected flood of fentanyl
The intersectionality of transnational organized crime groups

From Drug Dealing to Harm Reduction: The Story of Narcan Nate Feb 14, 2023

Show notes

This week's episode of The Opioid Matrix features Nathan Smiddy, also known as "Narcan Nate".
Nate is a Harm Reduction Education Specialist. We delve into Nathan's background and discover how he got started in the world of drugs and alcohol. From selling drugs through high school and beyond, to now being sober and advocating for harm reduction, Nathan shares his unique perspective on the current state of drug policy and its impact on society.
We also discuss the controversial issue of drug scheduling and reform, and explore ways to correct the errors made by Big Pharma. Tune in as we delve into drug testing and policy and the important question of how to prevent kids from using drugs. Lastly, we hear about Nathan's vision for funding harm reduction efforts, and what needs to be done to make it a reality.
To learn more about Nate’s work, follow this link: https://www.anewpath.org/
To make sure you never miss an episode of The Opioid Matrix, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the website, or your favorite podcast player.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for The Opioid Matrix in your favorite podcast player.