By the early 1970s, heroin was flooding the streets of New York City. Black and Puerto Rican neighbourhoods like Harlem and the South Bronx were hardest hit. This four part podcast series explores how Dr. Mutulu Shakur, stepfather of the late Tupac Shakur, along with members of the Black Panther Party and the Young Lords, combined community health with radical politics to create the first acupuncture detoxification program in America. Over the course of the 1970s, the Lincoln Detox People’s Program became a fixture of hope in the South Bronx and detoxed thousands of people off of drugs. DOPE IS DEATH explores why this program was considered a threat to the political and social stability of the United States. And how its brightest star, celebrated community activist and healer Dr. Mutulu Shakur, ended up one of the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted until he was captured and convicted of RICO conspiracy. Today, 34 years later, Dr. Mutulu Shakur remains incarcerated. Civil rights hero or enemy of the state? DOPE IS DEATH dives deep into the history of COINTELPRO and other legal tools that law enforcement can utilize to repress political dissidents.
CORRECTION: In this episode, we state that Dr. Mutulu Shakur was denied compassionate release. However, Brad Thomson noted that: “He was denied through the BOP, but we have also applied through the federal court. That motion is still pending and we are awaiting an answer from the judge.”Brad Thomson works at People’s Law Office as a civil rights and criminal defense lawyer. Watani Tyehimba is a Protection Professional and Certified Criminal Defense Investigator.Stay informed of updates on Dr. Mutulu Shakur’s case and information on how you can help. Dr. Tenisha Dandridge LAc cofounded Blackacupuncturist.com to allow BIPOC to find resources and individuals to aid them along the path of wellness. The goal is to be the new face of BAAANA (Black Acupuncture Advisory Association of North America) the original Black Acupuncturist group. Please donate to this platform. For more information visit dopeisdeath.com
Haki Kweli ShakurDr. Shadidi Beatrice Kinsey is the founder of PEACE Health CenterStay informed of updates on Dr. Mutulu Shakur’s case and information on how you can help. Dr. Tenisha Dandridge LAc cofounded Blackacupuncturist.com to allow BIPOC to find resources and individuals to aid them along the path of wellness. The goal is to be the new face of BAAANA (Black Acupuncture Advisory Association of North America) the original Black Acupuncturist group. Please donate to this platform. For more information visit dopeisdeath.com
'The Young Lords: A Radical History' by Johanna FernandezFor updates on Dr. Mutulu Shakur’s case and information on how you can help. Dr. Tenisha Dandridge LAc cofounded Blackacupuncturist.com to allow BIPOC to find resources and individuals to aid them along the path of wellness. The goal is to be the new face of BAAANA (Black Acupuncture Advisory Association of North America) the original Black Acupuncturist group. Please donate to this platform. For more information visit dopeisdeath.com
Juan Cortez works with NYHRE (New York Harm Reduction Educators)Dr. Samuel Kelton Roberts Jr. is an Associate Professor of History, Sociomedical Sciences and African-American Studies at Columbia. Dimitri MugianisStay informed of updates on Dr. Mutulu Shakur’s case and information on how you can help. Dr. Tenisha Dandridge LAc cofounded Blackacupuncturist.com to allow BIPOC to find resources and individuals to aid them along the path of wellness. The goal is to be the new face of BAAANA (Black Acupuncture Advisory Association of North America) the original Black Acupuncturist group. Please donate to this platform. For more information visit dopeisdeath.com
© 2020-2025 Ivy Podcast Discovery LLC
