The Opioid Matrix: A Journey Into the Rabbit Hole

Today's guest is Barbara Jacobs Fistanic, Clinical Director of the Outpatient Program at Harmony Place Drug Addiction Treatment Center. She has been part of the co-occurring mental health and addiction treatment fields since 1992 with various roles in Social Work. In this episode, she speaks with Michael and Jen about: How she's seen substance abuse trends change throughout her careerThe difference between rehabilitation and harm reduction?How mental health relates to potential substance abuse behaviorsBarbara's Website - https://www.lcsw.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.

In this special episode, we are joined by Congressman Seth Moulton. Congressman Moulton is a Democrat representing Massachusetts' 6 Congressional District. He's a Marine Corps Veteran who served four tours in Iraq, including two tours as a Platoon Commander and two tours as a Special Assistant to General David Petraeus. He ran for Congress in 2014 and today, sits on House Armed Services, Transportation and Infrastructure and Budget Committees. This episode covers: The Congressman's 988 Suicide Crisis Lifeline BillHow the state can hold big pharma accountableHow to enforce the border and deter the influx of fentanyl and its precursor chemicalsTo 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.

As the conversation and practice of Psychedelic therapies and treatments becomes more commonplace, it is important to explore the potential impact the decriminalization and medical legitimization of these substances can have on our society. In this episode, we speak with Erica Siegal, Founder of NEST Harm Reduction & Consulting. Erica is a licensed clinical social worker, professional, harm reductionist community organizer and psychedelic assisted psychotherapist, Erica founded NEST Harm Reduction Consulting in California, which provides care training and onsite services to events, communities and professionals in the field. She worked as a psychotherapist researcher on the phase two and phase three FDA approved MDMA assisted psychotherapy clinical trials from 2014 to 2019. Join us as we discuss:Emerging findings about Psychedelic Treatments for individuals with mental health issues The pace of psychedelic substance regulation on a state and federal level Psychedelic substance interventions in the case of opioid addiction treatments 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.

Today's guest is Barbara Jacobs Fistanic, Clinical Director of the Outpatient Program at Harmony Place Drug Addiction Treatment Center. She has been part of the co-occurring mental health and addiction treatment fields since 1992 with various roles in Social Work. In this episode, she speaks with Michael and Jen about: How she's seen substance abuse trends change throughout her careerThe difference between rehabilitation and harm reduction?How mental health relates to potential substance abuse behaviorsBarbara's Website - https://www.lcsw.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.

This episode features Ashley Loveless. She has experience with syringe exchange programs, overdose prevention strategies, as well as state and federal policy and procedure development and works with various harm reduction programs in Colorado. Michael and Jen speak to Ashley about:Drug Checking - why it mattersThe technology that changed Ashley's drug checking programThe efforts and importance of getting the Attorney General's approval for Drug Checking Programs Check out Our Episode with Maggie here: https://plinkhq.com/i/1625927161/e/1000582108619Reach out to Ashley here: ashley@highlevelhealthsolutions.comTo make sure you never miss an episode of The Opioid Matrix, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the website, or your favorite podcast player here: https://plinkhq.com/i/1625927161?to=pageListening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for The Opioid Matrix in your favorite podcast player.

With safe injection sites becoming more commonplace and government supported, we must have a discussion around the help and harm of these locations. In this episode, Jen and Michael discuss: Where do we draw the line on what an individual can use in these locations?Is there an “off ramp” designed with these safe injection sites?Reflecting on the Crack epidemic and its impact on the Black Community. Will history repeat itself due to these “safe sites?” The real long term effects of narcotics regardless of if its users can use them safelyThe Legal vs. Ethical issue of safe injection sites - do they violate the "crack house statute of The Controlled Substances ActTo make sure you never miss an episode of The Opioid Matrix, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the website, or your favorite podcast player here: https://plinkhq.com/i/1625927161?to=page Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for The Opioid Matrix in your favorite podcast player.

In this episode, Micheal and Jen Speak with Dr. Sofia Georgoulias. Dr. Georgoulias is a clinical psychologist based out of New York. She has extensive experience treating patients with substance abuse issues, general mental health and harm reduction. She also has a direct line of sight into our legal system, specifically incarcerations, from her time working at Rikers Island.This episode covers:The research and rationale behind harm reduction strategiesThe long terms effectiveness of safe injection sitesThe End Game/ off ramp for harm reduction To make sure you never miss an episode of The Opioid Matrix, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, 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.

By this time next year, the US is on track to pass over 200,000 unintentional Fentanyl overdoses. The problem is that our government has allowed the cartels of the ‘80s to metastasize into “Super Cartels.”In this episode of the Opioid Matrix, Michael and Jen talk about:The Rise of the Super CartelsIf there is a difference between Cartels and Insurgency GroupsWhat does the fallout of the competition between the cartels look like?How Narco-Chemistry has Evolved more Addictive drugs than ever before To make sure you never miss an episode of The Opioid Matrix, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the website, or your favorite podcast player here: https://plinkhq.com/i/1625927161?to=pageListening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for The Opioid Matrix in your favorite podcast player.

Today's guest has founded a unique harm reduction center. In fact, what makes it unique is that it is the only openly drug user run syringe exchange in Tennessee.In this episode, Jen and Michael are joined by Daniel Patrick Garret, Founding Director of Tennessee Harm Reduction. THR is a community based organization operating at the intersection of Public Health, Drug User Advocacy and Drug Policy Reform.Join us as we discuss:Daniel's journey through and perspective on non-abstinence based drug recoveryThe stigma against being an open user fighting actively to change drug policyPeer recovery and Addiction Services 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.

Regardless of how many deterrent drug policies are put into place, some pills and substances always find their way through. In those cases, federal policies can only go so far. It's time to take a deeper look at harm reduction strategies. In this episode, Michael and Jen are joined by Maggie Seldeen, Founder & Director of High Rockies Harm Reduction. In this episode they explore: A clear definition of Harm Reduction Strategies How Harm Reduction Strategies serve as a “Final Safety Net” when Drugs do get through the Border Establishing cause and effect is tricky – What caused increased Drug Usage in Colorado since 2019Was it decriminalization labor shortages or something else completely? How rebuilding grassroot community initiatives may help solve the increased dependence on substances pervading the country   Explore High Rockies Harm Reduction Here: https://highrockiesharmreduction.com/ Check Out Maggie's Podcast here: https://plinkhq.com/i/1521755732?to=page 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.

About a month ago, Australian Police busted the largest shipment of Fentanyl in the country's history. Michael and Jen jump on the mic to discuss the implications of this bust and what this could mean in the larger geopolitical context. Join us as we discuss: The larger implications of this bust – Could this start a Fentanyl War? The upcoming Fentanyl production war between Chinese Triads and Mexican Cartels How this ties into Michael's DEA experience in Asia  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.

In this episode, Michael Speaks with Jeff Johnston,  Founder of The Living Undeterred Project. After losing his oldest son, Seth, to fentanyl poisoning in 2016, and later his wife, Prudence, to alcoholism in 2021, Jeff has dedicated his life to making a difference in the mental health and substance abuse space (source). Join us as we discuss: The purpose and impact of the Live Undeterred Tour How a co-strategy approach that includes both harm reduction and overdose prevention can be effective The importance of Harm Reduction and preventative Strategies when combating Synthetic Opioid Use Why First time Drug users are at higher risk of death than ever before 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.

In this episode we are honored to be joined by Retired DEA Special Agent Steve Murphy. Steve Murphy is a retired DEA Special Agent involved in the successful manhunt for narcotics kingpin Pablo Escobar, and his story formed part of the backbone for the Netflix series Narcos. Mr. Murphy began his law enforcement career in his home state of West Virginia. In the mid 1980s he joined the DEA and was assigned to Miami, Florida, home to an exploding cocaine trade. In 1991 Mr. Murphy was transferred to Bogota, Colombia to track down the Escobar Cocaine Cartel (source). Join us as we discuss: How has the war on drugs changed since his time in Colombia? The Role China has Played in the Production and Manufacturing of Synthetic Opioids How state supported injection sites are changing the conceptions of Drug use in America The Failure of the Portugal Model The Importance of Diplomatic Engagement when it comes to solving the Opioid Crisis 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.

We're seeing an alarming and rapid increase in the rates of opioid addiction and overdoses in African American communities across the country. Disparities in prescription procedures, improper pain management strategies, the pandemic, the defunding of dedicated task forces — these factors are all contributing to this growing problem. Michael Brown, the Global Director of Counter-Narcotics Interdiction Partnerships at Rigaku Analytical Devices and one of our expert co-hosts, breaks down the elemental reasons for this rise, and what we can do to stop it. Join us as we discuss: Addressing inequalities in specific communities such as lack of access to treatment centers and economic opportunities Investing in and rebuilding areas afflicted with drug-related violence Eliminating trafficking routes Instituting harm-reduction programs and rebuilding community infrastructure 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.

As the Opioid Crisis continues to ravage the country, what is being done to solve the prevalence of these drugs in our communities? Today, we breakdown how different states are tackling handling opioid use and how these strategies can lead to various consequences in terms of the future of drug use in America and how drug use is prosecuted. Michael and Jen Speak About: The Decriminalization Strategy – A Path to Harm Reduction The Increased Importance of successfully arresting Central Cartel-Based Distributors Oregon's Bill 110 and California's Bill 119: What they did well and what they didn't The reality of Portugal's Drug Policies How decriminalization policies are Negatively Affecting the DEA's Community Level Intelligence Gathering Initiatives 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.

The war on drugs was a misdriven effort to stop addiction, but in decades past, the nation has shifted to focus on harm reduction and education. In this episode, Phil Owen, founder of Austin Area Opioid Workgroup and Peer Recovery Coach Coordinator at Communities for Recovery shares his experience with addiction and how he has dedicated decades to stopping the distribution of and potential harm of narcotics within at-risk communities. Join us as we discuss: Opioid Supply and Demand Current routes for harm reduction The social side of addiction 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.

What are the key factors that cause Generational cycles of Drug Trafficking? How can City-Based-Communities fight against this cycle? And how can we bridge the political, law enforcement and funding gap that allows a majority of these problems to prevade? In today's episode, Jen and Michael speak with Bradly Johnson, Chief Community Officer at BUILD Inc. Chicago. They discuss: The Mission of Build Inc. Chicago How has the view on the War on Drugs and Drug-Related crimes affected Chicago's Youth since the 90's? The Generational Cycle of Drug Trafficking How to Address Concentrated Poverty in Cities 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.

The current government approach to drug control is mainly focused on harm reduction. While these efforts are commendable, they often fall short because of the large number of agencies involved. How should the current National Drug Control Policy switch strategies to boost its effectiveness in preventing fentanyl-related deaths? In this Episode, Michael and Jen talk about: The Current Administration's National Drug Control Policy Michael's Experience as a DEA Subject Matter Expert for the US Council on Transnational Organized Crime Whether the strategy be effective when there are so many groups involved Why the strategy must prioritize disrupting the supply chain 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.

Do the current definitions and views of the Opioid Crisis hold up or is there a different way to frame this issue. In today's episode, Jen and Michael speak with Michael Gray, Founder/Chairman at Fentanyl Awareness Coalition.  They Discuss: A Paradigm Shift due to Fentanyl deception Michael Gray's Story – How this new paradigm shift affected him personally Michael's efforts to shift the conversation from Addiction to the dangers of one-use fentanyl deaths 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.

Why and how does drug trafficking in Pakistan and Afghanistan threaten the United States? This problem hits closer to home than you might think. In today's episode, Jen and Michael discuss His recent Trip to Pakistan and current trends How Rigaku Technology can be used to mitigate drug trafficking through targeting precursor chemicals How Pakistan and Afghanistan are now more Vulnerable to trans-national criminal organizations 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.

Welcome to this episode of The Opioid Matrix: A Journey Into The Rabbit Hole. In this episode we take a deep dive into the Domestic Side of the war on drugs. In our conversation with Michael Brown, Counter-Narcotics Interdiction Business Development  Director at Rigaku Analytical Devices, we talk about: How the Taliban “banned” opium essentially controlling the market and converting their reserves into heroin How this market control has directly led to an increase of methamphetamine production in the country How heroin and meth produced in Afghanistan is finding its way into Europe via the Balkan Route More information about Michael Brown and today's topics: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelwbrownusa/ Company Website: https://handhelds.rigaku.com/ 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.

Welcome to this episode of The Opioid Matrix: A Journey Into The Rabbit Hole. In this episode we take a deep dive into the Domestic Side of the war on drugs. In our conversation with Michael Brown, Counter-Narcotics Interdiction Business Development  Director at Rigaku Analytical Devices, we talk about: The six key capabilities that cartels need to operate How to identify the weak links in the chain and go after them How to dismantle these organizations by attacking their finances, procurement practices and logistics More information about Michael Brown and today's topics: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelwbrownusa/ Company Website: https://handhelds.rigaku.com/ 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.

Welcome to this episode of The Opioid Matrix: A Journey Into The Rabbit Hole. In this episode we take a deep dive into the domestic side of the war on drugs. In our conversation with Michael Brown, Counter-Narcotics Interdiction Business Development  Director at Rigaku Analytical Devices, we talk about: The symbiotic relationship between Chinese Crime groups, and Mexican cartels has resulted in the mass murder of thousands of Americans from fentanly overdoses. Cooperation between international express transshipment companies like Fedex, UPS and DHL and US law enforcement is essential in identifying thousands of parcels that are shipped from China to Mexico containing precursor chemicals used in the production of fentanyl. These transshipment companies are the unwilling life sustaining support system for the cartels. Potential Big Data Shipping Auditing analysis could be the way forward for identifying suspect parcels shipped from China to Mexico. Track and attack to stop the precursors from making their way to clandestine drug labs in Mexico. More information about Michael Brown and today's topics: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelwbrownusa/ Company Website: https://handhelds.rigaku.com/ 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.

Welcome to The Opioid Matrix: A Journey Into The Rabbit Hole. In this episode, we take a deep dive into the International Side of the war on drugs. In our conversation with Michael Brown, Counter-Narcotics Interdiction Business Development  Director at Rigaku Analytical Devices, we talk about: Michael's 31  year Career In the DEA Specifying the idiosyncrasies of the International War on Drugs The Importance of degrading the illicit fentanyl precursor chemical supply chain between China and Mexico and how that can disrupt the ability of the cartels to mass produce narcotics.   More information about Michael Brown and today's topics: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelwbrownusa/ Company Website: https://handhelds.rigaku.com/   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.

Welcome to this episode of The Opioid Matrix: A Journey Into The Rabbit Hole. In this episode, we take a deep dive into the Domestic Side of the war on drugs. In our conversation with Michael Brown , Counter-Narcotics Interdiction Business Development  Director at Rigaku Analytical Devices , we talk about: The difference between violent drug trafficking in the inner-city and suburban drug use.  America's Constitutional law enforcement powers stop at the U.S. Mexican border. The importance of degrading the precursor chemical infrastructure supply chain  that fuels the Drug Trade  More information about Michael Brown and today's topics: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelwbrownusa/ Company Website: https://handhelds.rigaku.com/  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.

In this introductory episode, we dive into the discussion-has the war on Drugs been a failure? Explaining what to expect of the show and the kinds of guests we'll have conversations with. Hear our conversation with Jen Lynch, Marketing Director at Rigaku Analytical Devices: The war on drugs The impact of drug influencers on communities What to look for in future episodes More information about Jen Lynch and today's topics: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-lynch-b762a820/?challengeId=AQGrajuEKmut7gAAAX_hjjy1KJD8QE1FYLoFNKxrni2qUhnPX5W1mBFz7o6cjS9ogYk2sOAZVZ-0TVLMxBBur35BYYpoK8b6bg&submissionId=4f595e89-748f-e116-d3b1-ea6283b16035 Company Website: https://handhelds.rigaku.com/ To make sure you never miss an episode of The Opioid Matrix podcast, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website. Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for The Opioid Matrix in your favorite podcast player.