https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-opioid-matrix-a-journey-into-the-rabWelcome to The Opioid Matrix-A Journey into the Rabbit Hole.]]>enTechnologyCopyright Dan Sanchezhttps://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/56359a313e59273c2c1c9e5817bc07aa.jpghttps://www.spreaker.com/show/the-opioid-matrix-a-journey-into-the-rabMon, 29 Jun 2026 13:45:04 +0000RigakuGeoff Grahamrigakupodcasts@gmail.comThe Opioid Matrix is a podcast for anyone looking for the latest information in the illegal drug supply chain — Beginning to end. Each episode will feature a discussion with industry experts about the current opioid crisis, including drug trafficking,...Welcome to The Opioid Matrix-A Journey into the Rabbit Hole.]]>trueepisodichttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/beyond-the-cartels-is-the-fentanyl-epidemic-a-coordinated-attack--72739644
In this episode of The Opioid Matrix, host Michael Brown speaks with national security expert Casey Fleming, author of The Red Tsunami, to examine the global forces driving fentanyl production and distribution. Drawing on decades of intelligence and counterintelligence experience, Casey outlines how precursor chemicals flow from China through criminal networks into cartel-controlled manufacturing pipelines—and ultimately into communities across the United States.

The conversation explores the evolving nature of drug trafficking, the rise of synthetic opioids, and concerns around international supply chains, money laundering, and emerging synthetic compounds. Michael Casey also tackle the role of policy, enforcement challenges, and public awareness in combating a crisis that continues to claim tens of thousands of lives each year.This episode connects the dots between geopolitics, organized crime, and public health—offering a deeper look at one of the most complex threats facing the U.S. today.

We also cover:

• Why the fentanyl crisis extends far beyond traditional cartel activity
• How precursor chemicals and synthetic opioids drive a global drug network
• What’s changing—and what it means for the future of drug enforcement

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72739644Tue, 30 Jun 2026 10:30:02 +0000RigakuIs the fentanyl crisis simply a drug epidemic—or something far more strategic? In this episode of The Opioid Matrix, host Michael Brown speaks with national security expert https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseyflemingceo/, author of The Red Tsunami, to...
In this episode of The Opioid Matrix, host Michael Brown speaks with national security expert Casey Fleming, author of The Red Tsunami, to examine the global forces driving fentanyl production and distribution. Drawing on decades of intelligence and counterintelligence experience, Casey outlines how precursor chemicals flow from China through criminal networks into cartel-controlled manufacturing pipelines—and ultimately into communities across the United States.

The conversation explores the evolving nature of drug trafficking, the rise of synthetic opioids, and concerns around international supply chains, money laundering, and emerging synthetic compounds. Michael Casey also tackle the role of policy, enforcement challenges, and public awareness in combating a crisis that continues to claim tens of thousands of lives each year.This episode connects the dots between geopolitics, organized crime, and public health—offering a deeper look at one of the most complex threats facing the U.S. today.

We also cover:

• Why the fentanyl crisis extends far beyond traditional cartel activity
• How precursor chemicals and synthetic opioids drive a global drug network
• What’s changing—and what it means for the future of drug enforcement

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.
]]>3141false101fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/gangland-guardian-36-years-in-the-line-of-fire--71860705Ralph Ornelas, a 36-year veteran of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, about the domestic networks helping fuel America’s fentanyl crisis.

Drawing on decades of experience in gang investigations, narcotics enforcement, and jail operations, Ornelas explains how groups like the Mexican Mafia, Crips, Bloods, and other domestic organizations have evolved far beyond street crime into sophisticated drug distribution networks. He also describes how jails and prisons can become control points for narcotics trafficking, and why corruption, policy, and reduced enforcement tools have made the problem harder to contain.

Together, they discuss the connection between cartel supply and domestic distribution, the role of gangs in moving fentanyl into U.S. communities, and the growing dangers posed by new substances being mixed with fentanyl, including xylazine and other synthetic additives. The conversation also explores the importance of education, interagency cooperation, and stronger prosecution strategies to disrupt these networks before more lives are lost.

This episode offers a sobering look at how the fentanyl crisis is no longer only a border issue or an overseas cartel issue. It is a deeply rooted domestic threat playing out in neighborhoods, schools, jails, and communities across the country.

We Also Cover:

• How Operation Knockout proved that cartel-connected gang networks can be dismantled when prosecutors, federal agencies, and local law enforcement set their egos aside and work collaboratively.
• Why policy decisions at the state and local level can make enforcement harder.
• What law enforcement, educators, and families can do to confront the next phase of the synthetic drug crisis.

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/71860705Tue, 05 May 2026 10:10:02 +0000RigakuIn this episode of The Opioid Matrix, host Michael Brown speaks with https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralphornelas/, a 36-year veteran of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, about the domestic networks helping fuel America’s fentanyl crisis....Ralph Ornelas, a 36-year veteran of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, about the domestic networks helping fuel America’s fentanyl crisis.

Drawing on decades of experience in gang investigations, narcotics enforcement, and jail operations, Ornelas explains how groups like the Mexican Mafia, Crips, Bloods, and other domestic organizations have evolved far beyond street crime into sophisticated drug distribution networks. He also describes how jails and prisons can become control points for narcotics trafficking, and why corruption, policy, and reduced enforcement tools have made the problem harder to contain.

Together, they discuss the connection between cartel supply and domestic distribution, the role of gangs in moving fentanyl into U.S. communities, and the growing dangers posed by new substances being mixed with fentanyl, including xylazine and other synthetic additives. The conversation also explores the importance of education, interagency cooperation, and stronger prosecution strategies to disrupt these networks before more lives are lost.

This episode offers a sobering look at how the fentanyl crisis is no longer only a border issue or an overseas cartel issue. It is a deeply rooted domestic threat playing out in neighborhoods, schools, jails, and communities across the country.

We Also Cover:

• How Operation Knockout proved that cartel-connected gang networks can be dismantled when prosecutors, federal agencies, and local law enforcement set their egos aside and work collaboratively.
• Why policy decisions at the state and local level can make enforcement harder.
• What law enforcement, educators, and families can do to confront the next phase of the synthetic drug crisis.

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.
]]>2718false100fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/from-myanmar-to-mexico-a-warning-for-america-s-drug-war--71681072Adam Castillo, a former U.S. Marine officer, founder of AGS Myanmar, and former president of the American business community in Myanmar. Adam is also the author of Finding Our Voice: A Story of Leadership in Crisis and the American Spirit Abroad, a leadership memoir shaped by his experience guiding an American business community through Myanmar’s post-coup collapse.

Drawing on his firsthand experience in Myanmar during a period of civil war, institutional breakdown, and economic instability, Adam explains how weak governance and diminished law enforcement can create the conditions for criminal networks and narcotics trafficking to expand. He and Michael explore the parallels between Myanmar and Mexico, and what those lessons mean for Americans trying to understand cartel power, fentanyl trafficking, and the broader opioid crisis.

The conversation also looks beyond geopolitics to the local level, emphasizing the importance of community leadership, trusted institutions, and public awareness in preventing addiction and social breakdown. At its core, this episode is about what happens when formal systems fail — and why communities cannot afford to wait until criminality and addiction become normalized.

We also cover:

• How weak governance and reduced law enforcement can create space for narcotics trafficking and violent crime to expand
• Why Myanmar offers a cautionary parallel for understanding cartel influence, instability, and addiction in Mexico
• What families and communities can do now to strengthen prevention, awareness, and resilience before the damage deepens

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/71681072Tue, 28 Apr 2026 10:25:02 +0000RigakuIn this episode of The Opioid Matrix, Michael Brown speaks with https://adammcastillo.com/, a former U.S. Marine officer, founder of AGS Myanmar, and former president of the American business community in Myanmar. Adam is also the author of Finding...Adam Castillo, a former U.S. Marine officer, founder of AGS Myanmar, and former president of the American business community in Myanmar. Adam is also the author of Finding Our Voice: A Story of Leadership in Crisis and the American Spirit Abroad, a leadership memoir shaped by his experience guiding an American business community through Myanmar’s post-coup collapse.

Drawing on his firsthand experience in Myanmar during a period of civil war, institutional breakdown, and economic instability, Adam explains how weak governance and diminished law enforcement can create the conditions for criminal networks and narcotics trafficking to expand. He and Michael explore the parallels between Myanmar and Mexico, and what those lessons mean for Americans trying to understand cartel power, fentanyl trafficking, and the broader opioid crisis.

The conversation also looks beyond geopolitics to the local level, emphasizing the importance of community leadership, trusted institutions, and public awareness in preventing addiction and social breakdown. At its core, this episode is about what happens when formal systems fail — and why communities cannot afford to wait until criminality and addiction become normalized.

We also cover:

• How weak governance and reduced law enforcement can create space for narcotics trafficking and violent crime to expand
• Why Myanmar offers a cautionary parallel for understanding cartel influence, instability, and addiction in Mexico
• What families and communities can do now to strengthen prevention, awareness, and resilience before the damage deepens

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>2631false99fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dope-moves-north-money-moves-south-the-drug-cartel-2-0-model--70243655
In this episode of The Opioid Matrix, host Michael Brown sits down with Jack McFarland (retired DEA agent, Caribbean division veteran, and global law enforcement consultant) to unpack how fentanyl rewired the opioid crisis into something closer to a mass-casualty supply chain than a “drug problem.”Together, they explore:

• Why fentanyl changed the rules: when traffickers no longer avoid killing customers
• How the pipeline really works: from precursors to labs to street distribution networks
• What cartel “adaptation” looks like: shifting routes, shifting mixtures, and shifting risk
• The new policy battlefield: when enforcement becomes diplomacy, designations, and deterrence
• The hardest question we keep dodging: where empathy ends, and accountability must begin

This episode isn’t just a conversation about fentanyl — it's about how drug cartels have evolved into international criminal corporations intent on poisoning thousands of Americans for profit. Decades ago, drug cartels operated as tightly controlled smuggling rings, focused almost entirely on moving narcotics across borders. The primary objective was profit; Today, these groups aren’t just moving drugs—they’re running extortion operations, human trafficking, and cybercrime.  Ruthlessness is the new model.

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70243655Tue, 24 Feb 2026 10:00:25 +0000RigakuWhat happens when a fully synthetic drug turns organized crime into an industrial-scale, cross-border killing machine? In this episode of The Opioid Matrix, host Michael Brown sits down with http://linkedin.com/in/jack-mcfarland-2529b92a9 (retired...
In this episode of The Opioid Matrix, host Michael Brown sits down with Jack McFarland (retired DEA agent, Caribbean division veteran, and global law enforcement consultant) to unpack how fentanyl rewired the opioid crisis into something closer to a mass-casualty supply chain than a “drug problem.”Together, they explore:

• Why fentanyl changed the rules: when traffickers no longer avoid killing customers
• How the pipeline really works: from precursors to labs to street distribution networks
• What cartel “adaptation” looks like: shifting routes, shifting mixtures, and shifting risk
• The new policy battlefield: when enforcement becomes diplomacy, designations, and deterrence
• The hardest question we keep dodging: where empathy ends, and accountability must begin

This episode isn’t just a conversation about fentanyl — it's about how drug cartels have evolved into international criminal corporations intent on poisoning thousands of Americans for profit. Decades ago, drug cartels operated as tightly controlled smuggling rings, focused almost entirely on moving narcotics across borders. The primary objective was profit; Today, these groups aren’t just moving drugs—they’re running extortion operations, human trafficking, and cybercrime.  Ruthlessness is the new model.

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>2328false98fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/narco-terrorism-reimagined-why-the-old-rules-no-longer-apply--69327177
In this episode of The Opioid Matrix, host Michael Brown sits down with Dr. Martin Gallagher — retired Scottish police superintendent, terrorism researcher, and author of Terror for Profit — to dissect how globalization, soft policy, and outdated paradigms have allowed narco-terrorism to thrive unchecked.

Together, they explore:

• How terrorist and criminal networks have merged into a single global threat
  
  
• Why traditional definitions of “terrorism” no longer fit modern cartel activity
  
  
• How drug policy could feed criminal profits
  
  
• What governments must do to regain control: radical enforcement, policy realignment, or both
  
  

Dr. Gallagher brings a unique transatlantic perspective, drawing on decades of law enforcement, academic research, and frontline experience with international crime.

This episode isn’t just about the problem — it’s a direct challenge to the systems, laws, and ideologies failing to confront a threat hiding in plain sight.

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/69327177Tue, 13 Jan 2026 10:00:16 +0000RigakuWhat happens when the world’s most dangerous networks evolve faster than the systems meant to stop them? In this episode of The Opioid Matrix, host Michael Brown sits down with Dr. Martin Gallagher — retired Scottish police superintendent, terrorism...
In this episode of The Opioid Matrix, host Michael Brown sits down with Dr. Martin Gallagher — retired Scottish police superintendent, terrorism researcher, and author of Terror for Profit — to dissect how globalization, soft policy, and outdated paradigms have allowed narco-terrorism to thrive unchecked.

Together, they explore:

• How terrorist and criminal networks have merged into a single global threat
  
  
• Why traditional definitions of “terrorism” no longer fit modern cartel activity
  
  
• How drug policy could feed criminal profits
  
  
• What governments must do to regain control: radical enforcement, policy realignment, or both
  
  

Dr. Gallagher brings a unique transatlantic perspective, drawing on decades of law enforcement, academic research, and frontline experience with international crime.

This episode isn’t just about the problem — it’s a direct challenge to the systems, laws, and ideologies failing to confront a threat hiding in plain sight.

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>2976false97fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/unchained-rewriting-a-legacy-beyond-addiction--68960937
In this deeply personal episode of The Opioid Matrix, Michael Brown sits down with Chris Schultz, a father, a recovering addict, and a man who began using and trafficking drugs before his 15th birthday.

Chris shares how addiction took root in his family, what it cost him as a young man, and how years of therapy, faith, and community support helped him rebuild his life. Today, he runs an electrical contracting company that hires and mentors people in recovery - offering not just employment, but purpose.

Together, they explore:

• Why trauma in childhood leaves lasting scars
• How 30-day programs often fall short for long-term healing
• What accountability, structure, and second chances really look like
• Why trades and job skills may be the missing link in recovery
  
  

This is a raw and hopeful story - not just about addiction, but about what’s possible when recovery is backed by real resources, supportive communities, and lived experience.

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68960937Tue, 09 Dec 2025 15:15:55 +0000RigakuGenerational addiction isn’t just a theory - it’s a reality in homes across America. But what does it take to truly break the cycle? In this deeply personal episode of The Opioid Matrix, Michael Brown sits down with Chris Schultz, a father, a...
In this deeply personal episode of The Opioid Matrix, Michael Brown sits down with Chris Schultz, a father, a recovering addict, and a man who began using and trafficking drugs before his 15th birthday.

Chris shares how addiction took root in his family, what it cost him as a young man, and how years of therapy, faith, and community support helped him rebuild his life. Today, he runs an electrical contracting company that hires and mentors people in recovery - offering not just employment, but purpose.

Together, they explore:

• Why trauma in childhood leaves lasting scars
• How 30-day programs often fall short for long-term healing
• What accountability, structure, and second chances really look like
• Why trades and job skills may be the missing link in recovery
  
  

This is a raw and hopeful story - not just about addiction, but about what’s possible when recovery is backed by real resources, supportive communities, and lived experience.

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>3177false96fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/quiet-crisis-cartel-influence-in-canada--68535729
Drawing from decades of experience in international security and counter-narcotics consulting, Hudson provides insight into the cross-border dynamics of fentanyl trafficking, the role of organized crime networks, and the challenges law enforcement faces in adapting to an increasingly complex threat environment.

They discuss:

• How synthetic opioids like fentanyl are impacting North America and beyond
• The connection between trafficking, financial networks, and cyber threats
• Global policy gaps that allow cartels and criminal groups to operate at scale
• Why law enforcement efforts must be supported by coordinated, non-political strategies

This episode also explores how cities can proactively address drug-related violence by empowering professionals and supporting long-term solutions rooted in public safety—not politics.

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68535729Tue, 18 Nov 2025 10:05:08 +0000RigakuIn this episode of The Opioid Matrix, host Michael Brown speaks with Chris Hudson, a Canadian security expert and CEO of CJE Hudson & Associates, to examine how the global fentanyl trade is evolving—and why public safety professionals must stay...
Drawing from decades of experience in international security and counter-narcotics consulting, Hudson provides insight into the cross-border dynamics of fentanyl trafficking, the role of organized crime networks, and the challenges law enforcement faces in adapting to an increasingly complex threat environment.

They discuss:

• How synthetic opioids like fentanyl are impacting North America and beyond
• The connection between trafficking, financial networks, and cyber threats
• Global policy gaps that allow cartels and criminal groups to operate at scale
• Why law enforcement efforts must be supported by coordinated, non-political strategies

This episode also explores how cities can proactively address drug-related violence by empowering professionals and supporting long-term solutions rooted in public safety—not politics.

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>1977false95fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-fentanyl-equation-science-fights-back--68299935
In this investigation, host Michael Brown sits down with Collin Gage, CEO and co-founder of ARMR Sciences, to unpack a controversial but potentially game-changing idea: an immunotherapy “vaccine” designed to block fentanyl from reaching the brain. Gage explains the planned Phase I/II human trial, why military and first responders could be the first beneficiaries, and how a platform could expand to multivalent shields against carfentanil and emerging analogs.

We press the hard questions: pharmaceutical-grade versus “cartel” fentanyl, risk-compensation behavior, and whether the U.S. should treat this as biodefense.

Expect an unflinching discussion about creating anti-narco-chemistry that removes the “high” and, with it, the business model. It’s exactly the kind of debate a country losing hundreds of people each day must have, if we want a fentanyl-free future.

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68299935Tue, 28 Oct 2025 10:00:08 +0000RigakuThree hundred thousand American deaths in three years…and the chemistry is still evolving. If the cartels turned the lab into the battlefield, why haven’t we brought our own defenses? In this investigation, host Michael Brown sits down with...
In this investigation, host Michael Brown sits down with Collin Gage, CEO and co-founder of ARMR Sciences, to unpack a controversial but potentially game-changing idea: an immunotherapy “vaccine” designed to block fentanyl from reaching the brain. Gage explains the planned Phase I/II human trial, why military and first responders could be the first beneficiaries, and how a platform could expand to multivalent shields against carfentanil and emerging analogs.

We press the hard questions: pharmaceutical-grade versus “cartel” fentanyl, risk-compensation behavior, and whether the U.S. should treat this as biodefense.

Expect an unflinching discussion about creating anti-narco-chemistry that removes the “high” and, with it, the business model. It’s exactly the kind of debate a country losing hundreds of people each day must have, if we want a fentanyl-free future.

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>3014false94fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/fighting-fentanyl-at-the-root-why-every-city-needs-project-smart--67579307
In this episode of The Opioid Matrix, Michael Brown talks with Larry Kenemore a retired paramedic who’s seen addiction up close, and now leads the North American Rotarian Action Group on Addiction Prevention. Larry shares Project SMART, a practical, community-driven plan to shut down the “addiction pipeline” before it claims more lives. The problem? Politics, pride, and money are keeping proven ideas on the sidelines. Together, they break down why past efforts like “Just Say No” fell short, how fentanyl is showing up in vape pens, and why the real fix might come from neighbors helping neighbors.

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67579307Tue, 02 Sep 2025 09:35:07 +0000RigakuFentanyl isn’t just stealing lives—it’s exposing a broken system. Year after year, billions are spent on programs that barely move the needle, while families keep losing loved ones. But what if the solution has been sitting right in front of us all...
In this episode of The Opioid Matrix, Michael Brown talks with Larry Kenemore a retired paramedic who’s seen addiction up close, and now leads the North American Rotarian Action Group on Addiction Prevention. Larry shares Project SMART, a practical, community-driven plan to shut down the “addiction pipeline” before it claims more lives. The problem? Politics, pride, and money are keeping proven ideas on the sidelines. Together, they break down why past efforts like “Just Say No” fell short, how fentanyl is showing up in vape pens, and why the real fix might come from neighbors helping neighbors.

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>2667false93fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/from-most-wanted-to-most-trusted-the-double-life-of-a-law-enforcement-informant--67415152
In this explosive episode, we sit down with Benjamin Freedland—once a mid-level trafficker moving hundreds of pounds of marijuana and deeply embedded in a cartel’s East Coast operation.

After flipping and working undercover with the FBI, DEA, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Freedland now trains law enforcement on how to recruit and manage high-level informants.But this story isn't about redemption—it’s a chilling look at the new face of the fentanyl crisis. 
Freedland reveals how America’s correctional system has become a breeding ground for synthetic drugs and organized crime.

This episode will challenge everything you think you know about law enforcement, cooperation, and the systemic failures that keep the opioid epidemic alive.

We discuss:

• Prisons are ground zero for synthetic drug trafficking, especially K2 and fentanyl-laced substances.
• Old-school “tough cop” methods backfire when recruiting reliable informants—respect wins.
• The criminal justice system needs a radical overhaul to disrupt the fentanyl pipeline—starting with how we train officers.

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67415152Tue, 19 Aug 2025 10:00:08 +0000RigakuWhat if the people we locked away for drug crimes were running million-dollar trafficking empires—from behind bars? In this explosive episode, we sit down with...
In this explosive episode, we sit down with Benjamin Freedland—once a mid-level trafficker moving hundreds of pounds of marijuana and deeply embedded in a cartel’s East Coast operation.

After flipping and working undercover with the FBI, DEA, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Freedland now trains law enforcement on how to recruit and manage high-level informants.But this story isn't about redemption—it’s a chilling look at the new face of the fentanyl crisis. 
Freedland reveals how America’s correctional system has become a breeding ground for synthetic drugs and organized crime.

This episode will challenge everything you think you know about law enforcement, cooperation, and the systemic failures that keep the opioid epidemic alive.

We discuss:

• Prisons are ground zero for synthetic drug trafficking, especially K2 and fentanyl-laced substances.
• Old-school “tough cop” methods backfire when recruiting reliable informants—respect wins.
• The criminal justice system needs a radical overhaul to disrupt the fentanyl pipeline—starting with how we train officers.

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>3089false92fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/california-sanctuary-city-policies-homelessness-and-cartel-fentanyl-where-does-this-road-lead-to--66935012
In this searing episode of The Opioid Matrix, Scott Silverman, CEO and Founder at Confidential Recovery, comes back to the show to dissect alongside Michael Brown the fentanyl-fueled collapse happening in plain sight.

We dive into:

• How fentanyl has turned homelessness into an economic loop no one’s breaking
• Implementing harm reduction strategies without treatment or housing infrastructure
• The cartel tactics reshaping distribution into thousands of small, undetectable channels

This episode doesn’t pull punches. It asks what too many refuse to: What if we’re letting fentanyl win because it’s just easier that way?

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66935012Tue, 15 Jul 2025 09:00:17 +0000RigakuWhile overdose deaths climb and homelessness surges, billions in taxpayer dollars disappear into broken systems and half-hearted solutions. And beneath it all, an industrial-sized drug economy thrives: unseen, unchallenged, and politically...
In this searing episode of The Opioid Matrix, Scott Silverman, CEO and Founder at Confidential Recovery, comes back to the show to dissect alongside Michael Brown the fentanyl-fueled collapse happening in plain sight.

We dive into:

• How fentanyl has turned homelessness into an economic loop no one’s breaking
• Implementing harm reduction strategies without treatment or housing infrastructure
• The cartel tactics reshaping distribution into thousands of small, undetectable channels

This episode doesn’t pull punches. It asks what too many refuse to: What if we’re letting fentanyl win because it’s just easier that way?

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>2678false91fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/why-does-america-keep-losing-the-same-drug-war-over-and-over-again--66290107
Former DEA agent Chris Feistl helped take down one of history’s most powerful cartels—but now he’s watching history repeat itself. 

In this episode, he and Michael Brown draw a straight line from Colombia’s bloody narco-wars to the synthetic opioid crisis destroying American communities. From political division and foreign inaction to fractured law enforcement strategy, the U.S. is reliving the past, without the resolve to win. 

We also discuss:

• How the U.S. let the fentanyl threat evolve into a Hydra
• Why Mexico and China are today’s Colombia
• What America lost when it stopped doing what worked
• How decriminalization and division cripple federal action
• What it would take to end the crisis—for real

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66290107Tue, 27 May 2025 09:00:13 +0000RigakuThe U.S. dismantled Colombia’s Cali Cartel with strategy, buy-in, and force. What are we doing wrong now that fentanyl is winning in the U.S.? Former DEA agent https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisfeistl/ helped take down one of history’s most powerful...
Former DEA agent Chris Feistl helped take down one of history’s most powerful cartels—but now he’s watching history repeat itself. 

In this episode, he and Michael Brown draw a straight line from Colombia’s bloody narco-wars to the synthetic opioid crisis destroying American communities. From political division and foreign inaction to fractured law enforcement strategy, the U.S. is reliving the past, without the resolve to win. 

We also discuss:

• How the U.S. let the fentanyl threat evolve into a Hydra
• Why Mexico and China are today’s Colombia
• What America lost when it stopped doing what worked
• How decriminalization and division cripple federal action
• What it would take to end the crisis—for real

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>2873false90fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/former-shot-caller-for-the-sinaloa-cartel-reveals-america-s-new-strategies-against-cartels--66075265
In this episode, we welcome back Margarito “Jay” Flores Jr.—a former Sinaloa cartel kingpin turned law enforcement educator—to dive deeper into the operations behind the illicit fentanyl trade that’s taken thousands of U.S. lives each year. With cartels now designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations, the U.S. is taking a harder stance, but Jay and Michael explore if policy is enough if we don’t also confront the networks operating in our own neighborhoods. 

We also discuss:

• Why labeling cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations could shift the legal landscape of drug enforcement in America.
• How fentanyl reaches U.S. communities, and why most traffickers don’t look like the stereotype.
• The importance of treating domestic distribution networks with the same urgency as international ones.
• Why prevention, education, and empathy must be part of any long-term solution to the opioid crisis.

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66075265Wed, 14 May 2025 09:00:13 +0000RigakuSealing borders won’t resolve the fentanyl crisis unless we rethink how domestic trafficking can be disrupted.  In this episode, we welcome back Margarito “Jay” Flores Jr.—a former Sinaloa cartel kingpin turned law enforcement educator—to dive deeper...
In this episode, we welcome back Margarito “Jay” Flores Jr.—a former Sinaloa cartel kingpin turned law enforcement educator—to dive deeper into the operations behind the illicit fentanyl trade that’s taken thousands of U.S. lives each year. With cartels now designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations, the U.S. is taking a harder stance, but Jay and Michael explore if policy is enough if we don’t also confront the networks operating in our own neighborhoods. 

We also discuss:

• Why labeling cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations could shift the legal landscape of drug enforcement in America.
• How fentanyl reaches U.S. communities, and why most traffickers don’t look like the stereotype.
• The importance of treating domestic distribution networks with the same urgency as international ones.
• Why prevention, education, and empathy must be part of any long-term solution to the opioid crisis.

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>2987false89fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-doctor-s-journey-seeking-the-truth-behind-his-son-s-fentanyl-death--65574514
We discuss:

• The dangers of illicit fentanyl from a medical perspective.
• The biology of opioid addiction and genetic vulnerability.
• The growing danger of fentanyl-stimulant combos.
• The role of physicians, policymakers, and parents in the opioid crisis.

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/65574514Tue, 15 Apr 2025 05:00:09 +0000RigakuIn this episode, Michael Brown sits down with Dr. Gary Latson, a licensed anesthesiologist and father who lost his son to a fentanyl-laced substance. Dr. Latson brings over four decades of medical experience and shares the difference between medical...
We discuss:

• The dangers of illicit fentanyl from a medical perspective.
• The biology of opioid addiction and genetic vulnerability.
• The growing danger of fentanyl-stimulant combos.
• The role of physicians, policymakers, and parents in the opioid crisis.

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>2630false88fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/terror-has-a-name-inside-los-zetas-cartel--65087645
We explore the new challenges law enforcement faces, including the cartels' use of advanced technology, encrypted communications, and financial networks that rival those of legitimate corporations. Silva also sheds light on the increasing dangers posed by synthetic drugs like fentanyl, the deep-rooted corruption that enables these networks to thrive, and the shifting alliances that make combating them even more complex.

Throughout the discussion, Silva shares powerful stories of resilience, the personal toll of fighting the war on drugs, and what steps must be taken to curb the growing influence of cartels.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How the Zetas cartel pioneered a new level of brutality and control
• Why Mexico’s war on drugs has failed—and how it impacts the U.S.
• The role China plays in fueling the fentanyl crisis
• How law enforcement can fight back using anti-terror tactics
• What every American should know about how fentanyl gets into our streets

You can learn more about Agent Leo Silva’s work in his book “Reign of Terror.”

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/65087645Tue, 25 Mar 2025 06:00:07 +0000RigakuIn this gripping episode, we sit down with former DEA Special Agent and author Leo Silva to discuss the evolving landscape of the illicit drug trade and the growing sophistication of cartel operations. Drawing from his experiences detailed in Reign of...
We explore the new challenges law enforcement faces, including the cartels' use of advanced technology, encrypted communications, and financial networks that rival those of legitimate corporations. Silva also sheds light on the increasing dangers posed by synthetic drugs like fentanyl, the deep-rooted corruption that enables these networks to thrive, and the shifting alliances that make combating them even more complex.

Throughout the discussion, Silva shares powerful stories of resilience, the personal toll of fighting the war on drugs, and what steps must be taken to curb the growing influence of cartels.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How the Zetas cartel pioneered a new level of brutality and control
• Why Mexico’s war on drugs has failed—and how it impacts the U.S.
• The role China plays in fueling the fentanyl crisis
• How law enforcement can fight back using anti-terror tactics
• What every American should know about how fentanyl gets into our streets

You can learn more about Agent Leo Silva’s work in his book “Reign of Terror.”

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>2282false87fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/cartel-fentanyl-is-in-everything-even-marijuana--64424439
In our first episode of the year, host Michael Brown speaks with Paula Young, a mother who turned grief into action after her son, Andrew, unknowingly consumed fentanyl-laced marijuana and lost his life.

They reveal how cartels are evolving their tactics, why social media is fueling the crisis, and the urgent policy battles needed to fight fentanyl—an issue beyond party lines. Paula also shares the emotional journey behind Andrew’s Law, a legislative push to make fentanyl education mandatory in schools nationwide.

We also discuss:

• How Andrew’s story exposes the hidden dangers of trusting "safe" sources.
• Why current drug laws fail to hold fentanyl dealers accountable.
• The importance of bipartisan action to tackle the fentanyl crisis effectively.

For more information about Achieve Greatness, visit AchieveGreatness88.org or contact Paula at +1 774-417-7972.

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/64424439Tue, 18 Feb 2025 05:00:07 +0000RigakuIf you think your child is safe, think again. Fentanyl isn’t in counterfeit pills anymore—it’s laced into marijuana, hidden in vape pens, and disguised in party drugs. No one is immune. In our first episode of the year, host Michael Brown speaks with...
In our first episode of the year, host Michael Brown speaks with Paula Young, a mother who turned grief into action after her son, Andrew, unknowingly consumed fentanyl-laced marijuana and lost his life.

They reveal how cartels are evolving their tactics, why social media is fueling the crisis, and the urgent policy battles needed to fight fentanyl—an issue beyond party lines. Paula also shares the emotional journey behind Andrew’s Law, a legislative push to make fentanyl education mandatory in schools nationwide.

We also discuss:

• How Andrew’s story exposes the hidden dangers of trusting "safe" sources.
• Why current drug laws fail to hold fentanyl dealers accountable.
• The importance of bipartisan action to tackle the fentanyl crisis effectively.

For more information about Achieve Greatness, visit AchieveGreatness88.org or contact Paula at +1 774-417-7972.

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>2435false86fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/how-the-cure-became-the-cause-examining-colorado-s-drug-decriminalization-policies--63593194
In this episode, we sit down with award-winning journalist and filmmaker Steffan Tubbs to uncover the harrowing truths behind America’s fentanyl epidemic, as seen in his documentary Devastated: Colorado’s Fentanyl Disaster. He examines the intersection of decriminalization policies, cartel operations, and societal complacency that have allowed this crisis to grow unchecked, and calls us to take action to tackle the crisis.

Listeners will learn:

• Why fentanyl deaths continue to rise in states like Colorado despite national trends leveling off.
• How cartels exploit America’s addiction crisis and the policy gaps that enable them.
• Why parents, policymakers, and the media need to start having real, uncomfortable conversations.
• What solutions could help reverse the trajectory of this crisis.

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/63593194Tue, 07 Jan 2025 05:00:07 +0000RigakuIllicit fentanyl has transformed the U.S. drug crisis into a national emergency that affects all ages, incomes, and communities. Despite the staggering toll. Where is the policy change? In this episode, we sit down with award-winning journalist and...
In this episode, we sit down with award-winning journalist and filmmaker Steffan Tubbs to uncover the harrowing truths behind America’s fentanyl epidemic, as seen in his documentary Devastated: Colorado’s Fentanyl Disaster. He examines the intersection of decriminalization policies, cartel operations, and societal complacency that have allowed this crisis to grow unchecked, and calls us to take action to tackle the crisis.

Listeners will learn:

• Why fentanyl deaths continue to rise in states like Colorado despite national trends leveling off.
• How cartels exploit America’s addiction crisis and the policy gaps that enable them.
• Why parents, policymakers, and the media need to start having real, uncomfortable conversations.
• What solutions could help reverse the trajectory of this crisis.

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>3095false85fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/middle-americas-fight-against-fentanyl-using-community-centric-policing--63014697
In this episode we are joined by Commander Tom Fallon, of Hamilton County’s Heroin Task Force, to discuss how local law enforcement, through strategic partnerships and innovative community outreach, has succeeded in reducing fentanyl overdoses in the county.  Commander Fallon also reveals that the real war is fought far from the public eye—with mothers who’ve lost their children, communities on the brink, and doctors who unknowingly set the stage for addiction.

We also discuss:

• How community-centric policing builds trust to drive effective intervention in Hamilton County’s fentanyl crisis.
• Why tackling the Dark Web’s role in trafficking is vital as cartels use digital channels to spread fentanyl, pushing law enforcement to adapt.
• The importance of Narcan access and addiction education in saving lives and reshaping public attitudes on addiction.
• The impact of a new generation of officers blending empathy with enforcement for sustainable change in communities.

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/63014697Tue, 26 Nov 2024 15:26:45 +0000RigakuIn the heart of America’s fentanyl crisis, one county is doing what many thought impossible—bringing overdose rates down.  In this episode we are joined by Commander Tom Fallon, of Hamilton County’s Heroin Task Force, to discuss how local law...
In this episode we are joined by Commander Tom Fallon, of Hamilton County’s Heroin Task Force, to discuss how local law enforcement, through strategic partnerships and innovative community outreach, has succeeded in reducing fentanyl overdoses in the county.  Commander Fallon also reveals that the real war is fought far from the public eye—with mothers who’ve lost their children, communities on the brink, and doctors who unknowingly set the stage for addiction.

We also discuss:

• How community-centric policing builds trust to drive effective intervention in Hamilton County’s fentanyl crisis.
• Why tackling the Dark Web’s role in trafficking is vital as cartels use digital channels to spread fentanyl, pushing law enforcement to adapt.
• The importance of Narcan access and addiction education in saving lives and reshaping public attitudes on addiction.
• The impact of a new generation of officers blending empathy with enforcement for sustainable change in communities.

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>2992false84fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/deflection-methods-an-alternative-approach-to-address-substance-use--62463011
In this episode, we are joined by Dennis Lowe, Commander of the South Central Ohio Major Crimes Unit, who has spent 40 years in law enforcement and is leading a unique model of community-driven policing. Commander Lowe and Michael Brown discuss the challenges associated with transitioning towards a more empathetic law enforcement approach, without abandoning strict measures, and building trust around state’s institutions. 

We also discuss: 

• How the FORT Project helps reduce recidivism and foster long-term recovery by addressing the root causes of substance use.
• Why a balanced approach of empathy and enforcement can create lasting change in communities facing drug crises.
• The role of cultural sensitivity education in police officers to engage diverse communities affected by the opioid crisis.

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62463011Tue, 22 Oct 2024 13:40:55 +0000RigakuEach person who struggles with drug addiction has a unique story. And regardless of how they got there, they are all humans and deserve to be treated with empathy.  In this episode, we are joined by https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennis-lowe-392aab6a/,...
In this episode, we are joined by Dennis Lowe, Commander of the South Central Ohio Major Crimes Unit, who has spent 40 years in law enforcement and is leading a unique model of community-driven policing. Commander Lowe and Michael Brown discuss the challenges associated with transitioning towards a more empathetic law enforcement approach, without abandoning strict measures, and building trust around state’s institutions. 

We also discuss: 

• How the FORT Project helps reduce recidivism and foster long-term recovery by addressing the root causes of substance use.
• Why a balanced approach of empathy and enforcement can create lasting change in communities facing drug crises.
• The role of cultural sensitivity education in police officers to engage diverse communities affected by the opioid crisis.

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>3464false83fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/mexico-s-deadliest-cartel-inside-the-cjng-with-chris-dalby--62271415
In this episode, we are joined by Chris Dalby, Director of World of Crime and author of World of Crime Guides to Organized Crime, to explore the scope of the cartel networks. Chris shares all things about the Jalisco Cartel New Generation (CJNG), revealing this syndicate’s brutality, extortion tactics, and control over fentanyl and meth production globally. We discuss why traditional law enforcement strategies aren't working, and how the flow of precursor chemicals from China plays a pivotal role in fentanyl production. 

Listeners will learn:

• How the CJNG cartel became one of Mexico’s most violent and flexible criminal organizations, and why they pose a unique threat.
• The role of precursor chemicals from China, why seizures at the border aren’t enough, and how the cartel adapts to crackdowns.
• What can be done to tackle the cartel threat, from addressing money laundering to targeting the global supply chain of precursor chemicals.

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.

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62271415Tue, 08 Oct 2024 09:00:06 +0000RigakuCartel operations go far beyond drugs—they are entrenched in the internal economies of countries, exercising control across multiple industries.  In this episode, we are joined by https://nl.linkedin.com/in/cdalby?trk=author_mini-profile_title,...
In this episode, we are joined by Chris Dalby, Director of World of Crime and author of World of Crime Guides to Organized Crime, to explore the scope of the cartel networks. Chris shares all things about the Jalisco Cartel New Generation (CJNG), revealing this syndicate’s brutality, extortion tactics, and control over fentanyl and meth production globally. We discuss why traditional law enforcement strategies aren't working, and how the flow of precursor chemicals from China plays a pivotal role in fentanyl production. 

Listeners will learn:

• How the CJNG cartel became one of Mexico’s most violent and flexible criminal organizations, and why they pose a unique threat.
• The role of precursor chemicals from China, why seizures at the border aren’t enough, and how the cartel adapts to crackdowns.
• What can be done to tackle the cartel threat, from addressing money laundering to targeting the global supply chain of precursor chemicals.

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.

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>2743false82fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/jay-flores-journey-from-sinaloa-cartel-kingpin-to-law-enforcement-educator-part-2--61336837
Michael and Jay pick up the conversation right where they left off, delving deeper into the challenges of dismantling these criminal networks and examining the strategies in the war against drugs. They also talk about how Jay’s approach to the US government set a precedent of collaboration to put cartels down. 

You can learn more about Jay’s background and work by going to his websites https://kingpintoeducator.com/ and https://dynamicpolicetraining.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 and can’t see the links? Just search for The Opioid Matrix in your favorite podcast player.

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/61336837Tue, 24 Sep 2024 09:00:06 +0000RigakuIn today’s episode, we are once again joined by Margarito "Jay" Flores, Jr., a former distributor for the Sinaloa Cartel, for part two of our series inside one of the most notorious criminal organizations in the world. Michael and Jay pick up the...
Michael and Jay pick up the conversation right where they left off, delving deeper into the challenges of dismantling these criminal networks and examining the strategies in the war against drugs. They also talk about how Jay’s approach to the US government set a precedent of collaboration to put cartels down. 

You can learn more about Jay’s background and work by going to his websites https://kingpintoeducator.com/ and https://dynamicpolicetraining.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 and can’t see the links? Just search for The Opioid Matrix in your favorite podcast player.

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>3790false81fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/jay-flores-journey-from-sinaloa-cartel-kingpin-to-law-enforcement-educator-part-1--61326166
Does this mean that efforts to end the drug crisis in America should focus more heavily on targeting money instead of drugs? Are there reasons why this hasn’t been the strategy in the past?

In this two-part series episode, we are joined by Margarito "Jay" Flores, Jr., who operated a distribution network for the Sinaloa cartel, as he pulls back the curtain on the financial empire of the world’s most notorious cartel, exposing the intricate web of drug trafficking and money laundering that fuels the opioid crisis and corrupts institutions and people both inside and outside of the United States. Michael and Jay explore the generational impact of drug trafficking on American cities and the challenges law enforcement faces in disrupting the flow of precursor chemicals essential for drug production.

Join us as we discuss:

• The supply chain systems behind smuggling vast amounts of cash and drugs across international borders and distributing them nationwide.
• The role of advanced technology in modern drug trafficking and money laundering
• The tactics used by the Sinaloa Cartel to avoid detection by law enforcement agencies.
• Personal stories of betrayal, survival, and redemption within the cartel world.

You can learn more about Jay’s background and work by going to his websites https://kingpintoeducator.com/ and https://dynamicpolicetraining.com/.

Stay tuned for Part 2. 

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.

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/61326166Tue, 10 Sep 2024 18:25:13 +0000RigakuMoney is the engine of drug trafficking. Without it, organized crime would cease to exist. Does this mean that efforts to end the drug crisis in America should focus more heavily on targeting money instead of drugs? Are there reasons why this hasn’t...
Does this mean that efforts to end the drug crisis in America should focus more heavily on targeting money instead of drugs? Are there reasons why this hasn’t been the strategy in the past?

In this two-part series episode, we are joined by Margarito "Jay" Flores, Jr., who operated a distribution network for the Sinaloa cartel, as he pulls back the curtain on the financial empire of the world’s most notorious cartel, exposing the intricate web of drug trafficking and money laundering that fuels the opioid crisis and corrupts institutions and people both inside and outside of the United States. Michael and Jay explore the generational impact of drug trafficking on American cities and the challenges law enforcement faces in disrupting the flow of precursor chemicals essential for drug production.

Join us as we discuss:

• The supply chain systems behind smuggling vast amounts of cash and drugs across international borders and distributing them nationwide.
• The role of advanced technology in modern drug trafficking and money laundering
• The tactics used by the Sinaloa Cartel to avoid detection by law enforcement agencies.
• Personal stories of betrayal, survival, and redemption within the cartel world.

You can learn more about Jay’s background and work by going to his websites https://kingpintoeducator.com/ and https://dynamicpolicetraining.com/.

Stay tuned for Part 2. 

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.

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>3195false80fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/from-personal-pain-to-public-outreach-andrea-thomas-and-michael-fiore-face-the-opioid-crisis-head-on--60999928
However, without proper healthcare, supportive communities, and tools to stay sober, people often relapse into an endless cycle that continues to fuel the opioid crisis.

In this episode, we are joined by two unifying voices fighting the opioid crisis: Andrea Thomas, Founder and Executive Director of Voices for Awareness, and Michael Fiore, Founder of Inspire2Inspire, as well as the Director of Community Outreach at Voices for Awareness. Andrea and Michael share their deep bond that transcends their mission, and discuss their efforts to bring hope and practical solutions to those affected by fentanyl through prevention, education, and healthcare accessibility. They also discuss the importance of a unified legislative effort to address this critical issue, and how they are fighting for the future of the nation. 

Join us as we discuss:

• Overcoming addiction and transforming personal experiences into a message of hope
• Addressing the stigma surrounding drug use and addiction to drive empathetic, social transformations
• The importance of collaboration among various groups and organizations to achieve long-term solutions
• Upcoming initiatives for August 21 - National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day (check out Facing Fentanyl Now’s website for more details)

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. 

You can reach out to Andrea Thomas emailing her at andrea@voicesforawareness.com, and follow Mike on Instagram @MikeFiore118.

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60999928Tue, 13 Aug 2024 09:00:09 +0000RigakuGetting sober is often seen as the milestone of ending drug addiction, and many policies and projects are designed with this approach in mind. However, without proper healthcare, supportive communities, and tools to stay sober, people often relapse...
However, without proper healthcare, supportive communities, and tools to stay sober, people often relapse into an endless cycle that continues to fuel the opioid crisis.

In this episode, we are joined by two unifying voices fighting the opioid crisis: Andrea Thomas, Founder and Executive Director of Voices for Awareness, and Michael Fiore, Founder of Inspire2Inspire, as well as the Director of Community Outreach at Voices for Awareness. Andrea and Michael share their deep bond that transcends their mission, and discuss their efforts to bring hope and practical solutions to those affected by fentanyl through prevention, education, and healthcare accessibility. They also discuss the importance of a unified legislative effort to address this critical issue, and how they are fighting for the future of the nation. 

Join us as we discuss:

• Overcoming addiction and transforming personal experiences into a message of hope
• Addressing the stigma surrounding drug use and addiction to drive empathetic, social transformations
• The importance of collaboration among various groups and organizations to achieve long-term solutions
• Upcoming initiatives for August 21 - National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day (check out Facing Fentanyl Now’s website for more details)

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. 

You can reach out to Andrea Thomas emailing her at andrea@voicesforawareness.com, and follow Mike on Instagram @MikeFiore118.

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>2732false79fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/how-the-opioid-crisis-and-homelessness-are-impacting-the-golden-state--60846753
In this episode, we are joined by a long-time guest of the show, Scott Silverman, CEO and Founder at Confidential Recovery, as he explores California's drug policies, the exploitation of legal marijuana by cartels, and the significant role of government in these crises. The author of The Opioid Epidemic: What You Don’t Know Will Destroy Your Family and Your Life, shares his thoughts on the need for better education, prevention strategies, and family support systems to fight drug addiction advocating for systemic approaches to end the opioid epidemic. 

Join us as we discuss:

• How the homelessness crisis in California is exponentially rising and it’s relation to the drug crisis
• The importance of strong family units and the impact of cultural and tribal thinking in community well-being, reducing the risk of drug abuse
• Why the US needs stringent criteria and accountability for both government leaders and social programs, advocating for better allocation of resources

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. 

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60846753Tue, 30 Jul 2024 09:00:09 +0000RigakuNo matter how much money is allocated to fight the opioid epidemic, if it’s not sustained by strong, systemic approaches and policies, the fight won’t succeed.  In this episode, we are joined by a long-time guest of the show,...
In this episode, we are joined by a long-time guest of the show, Scott Silverman, CEO and Founder at Confidential Recovery, as he explores California's drug policies, the exploitation of legal marijuana by cartels, and the significant role of government in these crises. The author of The Opioid Epidemic: What You Don’t Know Will Destroy Your Family and Your Life, shares his thoughts on the need for better education, prevention strategies, and family support systems to fight drug addiction advocating for systemic approaches to end the opioid epidemic. 

Join us as we discuss:

• How the homelessness crisis in California is exponentially rising and it’s relation to the drug crisis
• The importance of strong family units and the impact of cultural and tribal thinking in community well-being, reducing the risk of drug abuse
• Why the US needs stringent criteria and accountability for both government leaders and social programs, advocating for better allocation of resources

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. 

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>3219false78fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-impact-cartel-fentanyl-has-on-the-u-s-judicial-system--60632441
As fentanyl-related deaths continue to rise nationwide, our legal system now faces a new paradigm in seeking justice for so many lives lost.

In this episode, we are joined by Paul Ostrow, Chairman of the Fentanyl Free Communities Policy Board. He and host Michael Brown delve into the urgent and complex opioid crisis affecting communities across the nation, with a focus on the Midwest. Paul, drawing on his prosecutorial experience and commitment to justice, community improvement, and policy-driven solutions, emphasizes the need to support law enforcement while advocating for systemic changes.

Join us as we discuss:

• The consequences of public drug policies and how that plays into an increase in criminal activity and court cases
• How the $200 million allocated budget is being used to combat substance abuse in Minnesota.
• Why fentanyl possession penalties need to be reassessed to be effective and prevent 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. ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60632441Tue, 16 Jul 2024 09:00:09 +0000Rigaku"How do prosecutors handle the evolving illicit drug market and how has it impacted our judicial system?" As fentanyl-related deaths continue to rise nationwide, our legal system now faces a new paradigm in seeking justice for so many lives lost. In...
As fentanyl-related deaths continue to rise nationwide, our legal system now faces a new paradigm in seeking justice for so many lives lost.

In this episode, we are joined by Paul Ostrow, Chairman of the Fentanyl Free Communities Policy Board. He and host Michael Brown delve into the urgent and complex opioid crisis affecting communities across the nation, with a focus on the Midwest. Paul, drawing on his prosecutorial experience and commitment to justice, community improvement, and policy-driven solutions, emphasizes the need to support law enforcement while advocating for systemic changes.

Join us as we discuss:

• The consequences of public drug policies and how that plays into an increase in criminal activity and court cases
• How the $200 million allocated budget is being used to combat substance abuse in Minnesota.
• Why fentanyl possession penalties need to be reassessed to be effective and prevent 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. ]]>3978false77fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-legal-political-and-social-perspective-from-inside-the-fentanyl-epicenter--60467005
But when we're talking about deep and complex geopolitical dynamics, is a united country enough to tackle the illicit drug crisis our nation currently faces?

In this episode, we are honored to have Andrew Edelberg, Senior Trial Attorney at Aivazoglou & Mikropoulos - located in the Philadelphia area, share his extensive experience in the legal and law enforcement fields. Andrew addresses the systemic issues in mental health and substance abuse treatment and the harsh realities in cities like Philadelphia and San Diego, and he also exposes the deep-rooted challenges and corruption faced by the US, Mexican, and Chinese governments in combating the drug epidemic, and why it takes a worldwide effort to end the opioid crisis.

Join us as we discuss:

• The decrease in police presence, leading to increased violence and open-air drug markets, particularly in areas like Kensington.
• The increased crime and homelessness issues as a direct result of unchecked drug abuse and inadequate intervention measures.
• Different points of view around first-time offender programs, with some authorities preferring punitive measures over treatment.
• The challenges in prosecuting drug-related crimes due to trade and political partnerships between the US and Mexico.
• How the $50 billion opioid settlement is being used, raising concerns about transparency and proper allocation.

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.

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60467005Tue, 25 Jun 2024 09:00:07 +0000Rigaku'It takes an entire country to protect the country.' But when we're talking about deep and complex geopolitical dynamics, is a united country enough to tackle the illicit drug crisis our nation currently faces? In this episode, we are honored to...
But when we're talking about deep and complex geopolitical dynamics, is a united country enough to tackle the illicit drug crisis our nation currently faces?

In this episode, we are honored to have Andrew Edelberg, Senior Trial Attorney at Aivazoglou & Mikropoulos - located in the Philadelphia area, share his extensive experience in the legal and law enforcement fields. Andrew addresses the systemic issues in mental health and substance abuse treatment and the harsh realities in cities like Philadelphia and San Diego, and he also exposes the deep-rooted challenges and corruption faced by the US, Mexican, and Chinese governments in combating the drug epidemic, and why it takes a worldwide effort to end the opioid crisis.

Join us as we discuss:

• The decrease in police presence, leading to increased violence and open-air drug markets, particularly in areas like Kensington.
• The increased crime and homelessness issues as a direct result of unchecked drug abuse and inadequate intervention measures.
• Different points of view around first-time offender programs, with some authorities preferring punitive measures over treatment.
• The challenges in prosecuting drug-related crimes due to trade and political partnerships between the US and Mexico.
• How the $50 billion opioid settlement is being used, raising concerns about transparency and proper allocation.

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.

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>3973false76fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/building-community-in-dea-operations--60342141
With cartels employing increasingly sophisticated trafficking tactics, leveraging community engagement and education has become a priority.

In this episode, Orville Greene, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. DEA Detroit Field Division, joins host Michael Brown to delve into how the DEA's jurisdiction is adding value to agency operations. They explore the value of forging strategic partnerships with community organizations, gaining firsthand insight into local challenges and concerns. SAC Orville also sheds light on the complexities of combating internet drug trafficking and discusses both the existing tools and areas needing improvement in addressing the opioid crisis. 

We also discuss: 

• SAC Greene’s partnerships with organizations like Fentanyl Fathers and their significant societal contributions
• The potential impact of progressive drug policies on DEA operations and the battle against drug addiction
• The imperative of a multi-agency approach in dismantling the drug 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. 

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60342141Tue, 11 Jun 2024 09:00:09 +0000RigakuTo tackle the drug crisis, relying solely on law enforcement is no longer sufficient.  With cartels employing increasingly sophisticated trafficking tactics, leveraging community engagement and education has become a priority. In this episode,...
With cartels employing increasingly sophisticated trafficking tactics, leveraging community engagement and education has become a priority.

In this episode, Orville Greene, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. DEA Detroit Field Division, joins host Michael Brown to delve into how the DEA's jurisdiction is adding value to agency operations. They explore the value of forging strategic partnerships with community organizations, gaining firsthand insight into local challenges and concerns. SAC Orville also sheds light on the complexities of combating internet drug trafficking and discusses both the existing tools and areas needing improvement in addressing the opioid crisis. 

We also discuss: 

• SAC Greene’s partnerships with organizations like Fentanyl Fathers and their significant societal contributions
• The potential impact of progressive drug policies on DEA operations and the battle against drug addiction
• The imperative of a multi-agency approach in dismantling the drug 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. 

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>2802false75fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/marijuana-rescheduling-consequences-potency-policy-and-public-health--60074487
In this episode, we take a deep dive into the history and trends of marijuana with Jaime Zerbe, Chief of Staff at Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM).  Sam is made up of an alliance of organizations and individuals dedicated to a health-first approach to marijuana policy.  Jaime shares her perspective on marijuana consumption based on science.
Join us as we discuss: 

• How marijuana is often marketed
• The cultural shift toward normalizing drug use
• The analysis of marijuana legalization

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. 

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60074487Tue, 21 May 2024 09:00:06 +0000RigakuHow has marijuana changed since the days when Paul McCartney composed ‘Got to Get You into My Life’ in 1966? In this episode, we take a deep dive into the history and trends of marijuana with https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaime-zerbe-ab535118b/, Chief...
In this episode, we take a deep dive into the history and trends of marijuana with Jaime Zerbe, Chief of Staff at Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM).  Sam is made up of an alliance of organizations and individuals dedicated to a health-first approach to marijuana policy.  Jaime shares her perspective on marijuana consumption based on science.
Join us as we discuss: 

• How marijuana is often marketed
• The cultural shift toward normalizing drug use
• The analysis of marijuana legalization

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. 

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.]]>3079false74fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-mother-s-journey-advocating-for-a-fentanyl-free-future--59616806
In this powerful conversation, our guest Michele Hein, shares her tragic story as a mother who has faced unimaginable loss and emerged as a front-line activist in the battle against Fentanyl. After losing her beloved son, Tyler, to fentanyl poisoning, Michele's grief is transformed into advocacy as she leads the charge with Fentanyl Free Communities to save other families from a similar fate.

As fentanyl-related deaths skyrocket, we’ll examine why existing legislation falls short and what it truly means to approach substance use disorder and mental health stigmas with hope for substantive change. This episode is not just a discussion; it's a call to arms. We can’t afford to look away any longer.

Join us as we discuss:

• The piercing insight Michele provides on how fentanyl isn't just a poisoning crisis but a national security threat that's been largely ignored.
• Broken policies that are causing a delay in the response to the opioid crisis
•  The cohesive work between Fentanyl Free Communities and their collaboration with law enforcement to bring stability and hope to those in need.

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. ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/59616806Tue, 07 May 2024 08:00:04 +0000RigakuFind purpose from loss In this powerful conversation, our guesthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-hein-8b77012/, shares her tragic story as a mother who has faced unimaginable loss and emerged as a front-line activist in the battle against Fentanyl....
In this powerful conversation, our guest Michele Hein, shares her tragic story as a mother who has faced unimaginable loss and emerged as a front-line activist in the battle against Fentanyl. After losing her beloved son, Tyler, to fentanyl poisoning, Michele's grief is transformed into advocacy as she leads the charge with Fentanyl Free Communities to save other families from a similar fate.

As fentanyl-related deaths skyrocket, we’ll examine why existing legislation falls short and what it truly means to approach substance use disorder and mental health stigmas with hope for substantive change. This episode is not just a discussion; it's a call to arms. We can’t afford to look away any longer.

Join us as we discuss:

• The piercing insight Michele provides on how fentanyl isn't just a poisoning crisis but a national security threat that's been largely ignored.
• Broken policies that are causing a delay in the response to the opioid crisis
•  The cohesive work between Fentanyl Free Communities and their collaboration with law enforcement to bring stability and hope to those in need.

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. ]]>2636false73fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/narco-cash-unveiling-the-mexico-china-money-laundering-connection--59585029
Listen in as Gary Lawrence draws from his own experiences as a retired DEA Supervisory Special Agent, current Financial Crimes Advisor, and Veteran,  to share how crucial it is that we stop the enemy at America’s gates. Gary reveals the secrets behind Chinese money laundering and how current government policies could be enabling addiction, as well as encouraging our enemies to keep pursuing drug trafficking.

Join us as we discuss:

• Gary’s background in law enforcement and the DEA
• Synergy Between Mexican Cartels and Chinese Companies
• The pressing need for strategic policy response to drug trafficking 
• The perceived reduction in legal risk leading to increased drug use in America

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. 

]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/59585029Tue, 23 Apr 2024 08:00:04 +0000RigakuIn today’s episode, we dive deep into the shadowy world of drug production and its far-reaching financial tentacles. We're peeling back layers of the global drug trade, estimated at a staggering $2 trillion that is led by some formidable players who...
Listen in as Gary Lawrence draws from his own experiences as a retired DEA Supervisory Special Agent, current Financial Crimes Advisor, and Veteran,  to share how crucial it is that we stop the enemy at America’s gates. Gary reveals the secrets behind Chinese money laundering and how current government policies could be enabling addiction, as well as encouraging our enemies to keep pursuing drug trafficking.

Join us as we discuss:

• Gary’s background in law enforcement and the DEA
• Synergy Between Mexican Cartels and Chinese Companies
• The pressing need for strategic policy response to drug trafficking 
• The perceived reduction in legal risk leading to increased drug use in America

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. 

]]>2604false72fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/parenting-in-the-shadows-addressing-substance-use-and-broken-homes--59471501Dr. Cristina Utti,  an educator and author of 'Breaking Infinity.'  speaks from the heart about her journey through her near fatal substance abuse and eating disorders. Together we’ll reflect on the complex web of family dynamics and the repeating cycles of behavior passed down through generations.

We dive deep into the reality of growing up in a broken home, the normalization of risky behaviors among our youth, and the pressing need for supportive conversations between parents and children.

Join us as we discuss:

• Cristina's Childhood and Personal Journey to Recovery
• The Effects of a Broken Family and How to Prevent it 
• The Danger of Potential Drug Addiction for Future Generations

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. 

If you would like to know more or purchase Dr. Crisitina Utti's book, Breaking Infinity: A Memoir, you can do so by going to Amazon.com. 

]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/59471501Tue, 16 Apr 2024 08:00:04 +0000Rigakuhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-cristina-utti-a8736957  an educator and author of 'Breaking Infinity.'  speaks from the heart about her journey through her near fatal substance abuse and eating disorders. Together we’ll reflect on the complex web of...Dr. Cristina Utti,  an educator and author of 'Breaking Infinity.'  speaks from the heart about her journey through her near fatal substance abuse and eating disorders. Together we’ll reflect on the complex web of family dynamics and the repeating cycles of behavior passed down through generations.

We dive deep into the reality of growing up in a broken home, the normalization of risky behaviors among our youth, and the pressing need for supportive conversations between parents and children.

Join us as we discuss:

• Cristina's Childhood and Personal Journey to Recovery
• The Effects of a Broken Family and How to Prevent it 
• The Danger of Potential Drug Addiction for Future Generations

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. 

If you would like to know more or purchase Dr. Crisitina Utti's book, Breaking Infinity: A Memoir, you can do so by going to Amazon.com. 

]]>2998false71fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-mother-s-mission-to-address-the-stigma-of-substance-addiction--59245958Julie Waters, founder of the Jace Waters Foundation shares her journey of losing her son to addiction and the work she is doing to support others in the fight against opioid addiction. She discusses the importance of long-term recovery programs and the need for supportive communities. Julie goes into detail about the stigma surrounding substance use disorder and the need for open conversations and advocacy. She also highlights the role of parents in prevention, education and the challenges of modernization and technology on family dynamics. 

Join us as we discuss:

• Exploring the unseen impact of addiction in small-town America.
• Julie Waters' heartfelt story of loss and her efforts to fight addiction through the Jace Waters Foundation.
• Insights into the rising danger of fentanyl and the complex journey toward recovery.

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. ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/59245958Tue, 02 Apr 2024 08:05:01 +0000RigakuIn today’s episode, https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-waters-19054975, founder of the https://www.jacewatersfoundation.org/ shares her journey of losing her son to addiction and the work she is doing to support others in the fight against opioid...Julie Waters, founder of the Jace Waters Foundation shares her journey of losing her son to addiction and the work she is doing to support others in the fight against opioid addiction. She discusses the importance of long-term recovery programs and the need for supportive communities. Julie goes into detail about the stigma surrounding substance use disorder and the need for open conversations and advocacy. She also highlights the role of parents in prevention, education and the challenges of modernization and technology on family dynamics. 

Join us as we discuss:

• Exploring the unseen impact of addiction in small-town America.
• Julie Waters' heartfelt story of loss and her efforts to fight addiction through the Jace Waters Foundation.
• Insights into the rising danger of fentanyl and the complex journey toward recovery.

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. ]]>2554false70fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-mother-s-story-of-loss-from-pain-to-purpose--58834590
In today’s episode, Javon Williams, Founder of the Lamont Meyers Foundation, bravely opens her heart about the heart-wrenching loss of her son to Fentanyl poisoning and the journey of resilience this has led her to. Javon highlights the danger of the lack of public awareness surrounding the opioid crisis and emphasizes why we need to speak out to bring the invisible enemy, and the network under which it operates, out of the shadows.

Join us as we discuss:

• Challenges of parenting amidst societal pressure on drug abuse and consumption
• The urgent need for community education, awareness and collective action in combating the opioid crisis
• The emotional trauma and ongoing struggle experienced by parents who have lost children to drugs
• Why prescription pills can become a death threat nowadays

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.

]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/58834590Tue, 27 Feb 2024 08:00:02 +0000RigakuOur children represent the very future of society. However, without vigorously confronting the opioid crisis, how can we guarantee their protection? In today’s episode, Javon Williams, Founder of the https://www.lamontmeyersfoundation.org/, bravely...
In today’s episode, Javon Williams, Founder of the Lamont Meyers Foundation, bravely opens her heart about the heart-wrenching loss of her son to Fentanyl poisoning and the journey of resilience this has led her to. Javon highlights the danger of the lack of public awareness surrounding the opioid crisis and emphasizes why we need to speak out to bring the invisible enemy, and the network under which it operates, out of the shadows.

Join us as we discuss:

• Challenges of parenting amidst societal pressure on drug abuse and consumption
• The urgent need for community education, awareness and collective action in combating the opioid crisis
• The emotional trauma and ongoing struggle experienced by parents who have lost children to drugs
• Why prescription pills can become a death threat nowadays

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.

]]>2581false69fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-journey-through-addiction-recovery-and-across-canada--58436439
In this powerful and inspiring episode, Chris Cull dives deep into the challenges of addressing substance abuse, the impact of the opioid crisis in Canada, and the crucial role of authentic and relatable communication in prevention efforts. Chris, a former opioid user turned inspirational figure, shares his journey throughout addiction and recovery that ultimately led to his journey across Canada. His story of resilience offers hope in the fight against addiction. Tune in for an insightful discussion on tackling addiction and the resilience that arises from difficult experiences.

Join us as we discuss:

• Chris's story, highlighting his successful transition away from drug use
• Addressing substance abuse among youth
• The opioid crisis in Canada: overprescribing, drug diversion, and the involvement of cartels
• The significance of advocacy, collaboration, and hope in addressing addiction, drug abuse and mental health

Tap here for all links pertaining to Chris Cull, his story, and the meaningful work he’s doing today.

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.

]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/58436439Tue, 06 Feb 2024 08:00:02 +0000RigakuTo anyone out there with a loved one who’s struggling, don't ever give up compassion because it's not a moral failing; your loved one simply doesn’t know how to handle what’s going on in their life. In this powerful and inspiring episode,...
In this powerful and inspiring episode, Chris Cull dives deep into the challenges of addressing substance abuse, the impact of the opioid crisis in Canada, and the crucial role of authentic and relatable communication in prevention efforts. Chris, a former opioid user turned inspirational figure, shares his journey throughout addiction and recovery that ultimately led to his journey across Canada. His story of resilience offers hope in the fight against addiction. Tune in for an insightful discussion on tackling addiction and the resilience that arises from difficult experiences.

Join us as we discuss:

• Chris's story, highlighting his successful transition away from drug use
• Addressing substance abuse among youth
• The opioid crisis in Canada: overprescribing, drug diversion, and the involvement of cartels
• The significance of advocacy, collaboration, and hope in addressing addiction, drug abuse and mental health

Tap here for all links pertaining to Chris Cull, his story, and the meaningful work he’s doing today.

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.

]]>2810false68fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/inside-the-fentanyl-crisis-what-no-parent-should-ever-see--58406059
In today's episode, we are honored to have Jaime Ignacio Puerto Gonzales, President of V.O.I.D "Victims Of Illicit Drugs" and Co-Chair of Facing Fentanyl Now, joining us to shed light on the far-reaching impact of Fentanyl and the legislative and societal challenges that have hindered efforts to combat this deadly substance.

Jaime, a US Marine Corps veteran, shares his personal journey and the heart-wrenching loss of his son, Daniel, to Fentanyl poisoning on April 6, 2020. As he delves into his advocacy work and the mission of V.O.I.D., we gain valuable insights into the deceitful tactics of drug cartels, the need for legislative reform, and the urgent call for awareness and collaboration on a global scale.

Join us as we discuss:

• Social media and its disturbing trends in Fentanyl distribution
• How Proposition 47 and 57 are impacting law enforcement and public safety in California
• Impact of harm reduction groups in addressing the Fentanyl crisis
• The role that schools and educational institutions can play in raising awareness about Fentanyl and preventing its distribution among young people

Additional Link: Dead on Arrival Documentary

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.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/58406059Tue, 23 Jan 2024 08:00:02 +0000RigakuFentanyl is the bullet, but it's the Mexican cartels that are pointing the gun at our children and pulling the trigger. In today's episode, we are honored to have https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaime-ignacio-puerta-gonzalez-81a271267/, President of...
In today's episode, we are honored to have Jaime Ignacio Puerto Gonzales, President of V.O.I.D "Victims Of Illicit Drugs" and Co-Chair of Facing Fentanyl Now, joining us to shed light on the far-reaching impact of Fentanyl and the legislative and societal challenges that have hindered efforts to combat this deadly substance.

Jaime, a US Marine Corps veteran, shares his personal journey and the heart-wrenching loss of his son, Daniel, to Fentanyl poisoning on April 6, 2020. As he delves into his advocacy work and the mission of V.O.I.D., we gain valuable insights into the deceitful tactics of drug cartels, the need for legislative reform, and the urgent call for awareness and collaboration on a global scale.

Join us as we discuss:

• Social media and its disturbing trends in Fentanyl distribution
• How Proposition 47 and 57 are impacting law enforcement and public safety in California
• Impact of harm reduction groups in addressing the Fentanyl crisis
• The role that schools and educational institutions can play in raising awareness about Fentanyl and preventing its distribution among young people

Additional Link: Dead on Arrival Documentary

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.]]>3645false67fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/sometimes-it-s-our-secrets-that-can-kill-us-breaking-the-chains-of-addiction--58230344Danielle Burkett, had everything stacked against her. Even when navigating an unstable upbringing and childhood trauma, she knew at a young age helping children in her position is something she wanted to do. This desire stuck with her through years of substance use, mental health issues, crime, and eventually incarceration.

Now as a single mother who recently suffered from a stroke, she is still driven by that childhood passion, achieving her Master’s degree in Social Work, and beginning her own non-profit, "Unlikely Journeys" geared toward youth and parents. Danielle has made it her purpose to plant seeds of compassion, love, non-judgment, and gratitude in the lives of youth through her initiative.

Join us as we discuss:

• The power of having a clear mind and being able to voice repressed trauma
• The importance of teaching crucial aspects in schools that might be overlooked at home
• The practice of gratitude and its transformative power
• The concept of having a "peer coach" and its pivotal role in personal development

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.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/58230344Tue, 09 Jan 2024 10:00:03 +0000RigakuOur guest, https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-burkett-086442157/, had everything stacked against her. Even when navigating an unstable upbringing and childhood trauma, she knew at a young age helping children in her position is something she wanted...Danielle Burkett, had everything stacked against her. Even when navigating an unstable upbringing and childhood trauma, she knew at a young age helping children in her position is something she wanted to do. This desire stuck with her through years of substance use, mental health issues, crime, and eventually incarceration.

Now as a single mother who recently suffered from a stroke, she is still driven by that childhood passion, achieving her Master’s degree in Social Work, and beginning her own non-profit, "Unlikely Journeys" geared toward youth and parents. Danielle has made it her purpose to plant seeds of compassion, love, non-judgment, and gratitude in the lives of youth through her initiative.

Join us as we discuss:

• The power of having a clear mind and being able to voice repressed trauma
• The importance of teaching crucial aspects in schools that might be overlooked at home
• The practice of gratitude and its transformative power
• The concept of having a "peer coach" and its pivotal role in personal development

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.]]>2433false66fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/drug-cartel-operations-a-perspective-on-the-drugs-violence-and-cooperation--57974235
In this episode, we delve into the complex and harrowing world of Mexican cartel and crime along the U.S. southern border, featuring a discussion with Larry Villalobos, a seasoned DEA analyst who has worked with the State Department in Mexico, the US military, DHS components, and a local university. Our guest shares eye-opening insights about the impact of drug legalization, the shifting dynamics of drug cartels, and the urgent need for international cooperation to combat the fentanyl precursor chemical supply chain.

Join us as we discuss:

• Differences on opposing sides of the border
• The negative effects of drug legalization, including the societal impact of the crisis
• Foreign partnerships in combating drug trafficking
• Pushing back on progressive dreams

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.
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/57974235Tue, 12 Dec 2023 05:00:03 +0000RigakuWithout International partnerships and cooperation, we’re not going to win this battle. In this episode, we delve into the complex and harrowing world of Mexican cartel and crime along the U.S. southern border, featuring a discussion with...
In this episode, we delve into the complex and harrowing world of Mexican cartel and crime along the U.S. southern border, featuring a discussion with Larry Villalobos, a seasoned DEA analyst who has worked with the State Department in Mexico, the US military, DHS components, and a local university. Our guest shares eye-opening insights about the impact of drug legalization, the shifting dynamics of drug cartels, and the urgent need for international cooperation to combat the fentanyl precursor chemical supply chain.

Join us as we discuss:

• Differences on opposing sides of the border
• The negative effects of drug legalization, including the societal impact of the crisis
• Foreign partnerships in combating drug trafficking
• Pushing back on progressive dreams

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.
]]>2567false65fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/mental-health-resilience-strategies-for-combating-addiction--56663765
Gina Tabrizy, our latest guest, is an inspirational keynote speaker, author, radio host of The Recovery Show, and a trauma/addiction expert. She is currently Chief Clinical Liaison at Sierra by the Sea, an adult residential treatment facility. Gina has a zest for providing excellent clinical care with a high success rate.

Join us as we discuss:

• The connection between trauma and addiction, particularly prevalent in affluent neighborhoods where electronic devices replace genuine family connections
• The effectiveness of harm reduction strategies and the normalization of drug use, particularly with the legalization of marijuana.
• The power of holistic approaches that combine psychological, emotional, and spiritual healing

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.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56663765Tue, 14 Nov 2023 10:00:02 +0000RigakuExploring the intricate web of trauma's influence, addiction's grasp, and the erosion of genuine connections, this episode unearths the need for holistic healing, emotional empowerment, and a renewed focus on nurturing our youth's mental well-being....
Gina Tabrizy, our latest guest, is an inspirational keynote speaker, author, radio host of The Recovery Show, and a trauma/addiction expert. She is currently Chief Clinical Liaison at Sierra by the Sea, an adult residential treatment facility. Gina has a zest for providing excellent clinical care with a high success rate.

Join us as we discuss:

• The connection between trauma and addiction, particularly prevalent in affluent neighborhoods where electronic devices replace genuine family connections
• The effectiveness of harm reduction strategies and the normalization of drug use, particularly with the legalization of marijuana.
• The power of holistic approaches that combine psychological, emotional, and spiritual healing

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.]]>3339false64fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/nurturing-resilience-breaking-free-from-victim-mentality--57487439
On today’s episode, we welcome back Dr. Geri-Lynn Utter, a Clinical Psychologist and the Author of Mainlining Philly: Survival, Hope and Resisting Drug Addiction, as well as Aftershock: How Past Events Shake up Your Life Today. Dr. Utter specializes in individuals struggling with substance use disorders and other psychiatric illnesses. Her experiences, dating back to childhood, provide unique insight into the nature of addiction and have given her the tools to offer solutions to those addicted, as well as those who love them.

Join us as we discuss:

• The importance of acknowledging and seeking help for mental health issues, even in response to normal life challenges
• Addiction: genetics vs. environment
• Utilizing anger as motivation to rise up
• The evolution of the drug market and the need for accurate education on the dangers
• The psychology of addiction

Additional Link: Utter Nonsense - Documentary

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. ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/57487439Tue, 07 Nov 2023 05:00:02 +0000RigakuIt's okay to not feel okay. On today’s episode, we welcome back https://www.linkedin.com/in/geri-lynn-utter-psyd-9384423/, a Clinical Psychologist and the https://drgerilynnutter.com/writing/ of Mainlining Philly: Survival, Hope and Resisting Drug...
On today’s episode, we welcome back Dr. Geri-Lynn Utter, a Clinical Psychologist and the Author of Mainlining Philly: Survival, Hope and Resisting Drug Addiction, as well as Aftershock: How Past Events Shake up Your Life Today. Dr. Utter specializes in individuals struggling with substance use disorders and other psychiatric illnesses. Her experiences, dating back to childhood, provide unique insight into the nature of addiction and have given her the tools to offer solutions to those addicted, as well as those who love them.

Join us as we discuss:

• The importance of acknowledging and seeking help for mental health issues, even in response to normal life challenges
• Addiction: genetics vs. environment
• Utilizing anger as motivation to rise up
• The evolution of the drug market and the need for accurate education on the dangers
• The psychology of addiction

Additional Link: Utter Nonsense - Documentary

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. ]]>3323false63fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/faith-community-collaboration-in-the-fight-against-substance-addiction--57357906
Our special guest, Tj Ward, a man of faith and a visionary in the fight against substance use disorder, shares his powerful insights and experiences. We discuss the role of faith in recovery, the importance of addressing mental health alongside addiction, and the need for collaboration and outreach to vulnerable communities. We explore the impact of substance use disorder on individuals, families, and society as a whole, while also discussing potential solutions, such as education, policy change, and innovative treatment approaches.

Join us as we discuss:

• What parents need to know regarding the alarming rise of teen drug addiction
• Progressive drug policies in US cities
• Differences in opinions on the bipartisan issue
• Ripple effect of substance use on family dynamics
• Importance of faith in recovery from addiction

Relevant links: anythingbutobvious.com; projectopioidnfl.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. ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/57357906Tue, 31 Oct 2023 05:00:02 +0000RigakuDEA seizures reveal a chilling reality — 60% of the pills taken off the streets pack a lethal dose of fentanyl. Our special guest, https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjwardfl/, a man of faith and a visionary in the fight against substance use disorder,...
Our special guest, Tj Ward, a man of faith and a visionary in the fight against substance use disorder, shares his powerful insights and experiences. We discuss the role of faith in recovery, the importance of addressing mental health alongside addiction, and the need for collaboration and outreach to vulnerable communities. We explore the impact of substance use disorder on individuals, families, and society as a whole, while also discussing potential solutions, such as education, policy change, and innovative treatment approaches.

Join us as we discuss:

• What parents need to know regarding the alarming rise of teen drug addiction
• Progressive drug policies in US cities
• Differences in opinions on the bipartisan issue
• Ripple effect of substance use on family dynamics
• Importance of faith in recovery from addiction

Relevant links: anythingbutobvious.com; projectopioidnfl.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. ]]>2965false62fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/operation-fast-and-furious-arming-mexican-cartels-with-u-s-weapons--57262278
Today on the show, Pete Forcelli, retired Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) executive and author of The Deadly Path, sheds light on the world of firearms trafficking. We explore the stark reality of crime-ridden parks in New York City housing projects, where children live in fear and are locked inside their homes for safety. But it doesn't end there. Peter takes us to the heart of the matter — the prosecution, or lack thereof, of gun crimes.

We uncover the startling truth behind ATF Operation Fast and Furious, a whistleblower's account that reveals a pattern of allowing firearms to flow into Mexico, leading to a staggering number of guns in the wrong hands. And as we discuss the impact of this operation and its consequences, we also touch on the current crisis of fentanyl and the arming of Mexican cartels with US military spec weapons. This episode will leave you questioning the state of our justice system and the policies that guide it.

Join us as we discuss:

• The scale, implications and consequences of Operation Fast and Furious, ultimately fueling the fire of gun violence
• The opioid crisis in conjunction with cartel activities; turning internally to address the fentanyl situation
• The Broken Windows theory and the regression in policy of prosecuting low-level crimes
• Lack of utilization of parks in NYC housing projects due to crime and safety concerns

Pete Forcelli’s Personal Website: https://www.peterjforcelli.com/ His book The Deadly Path: How Operation Fast & Furious and Bad Lawyers Armed Mexican Cartelsreleases on March 5th, 2024.

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. ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/57262278Tue, 24 Oct 2023 05:00:02 +0000RigakuWeapons are hitting the streets and killing Americans. They're fueling cartel and domestic drug trafficking violence. We have layers of complex problems that are all surrounded by policy decisions, which seem to be enabling criminal activity. Today...
Today on the show, Pete Forcelli, retired Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) executive and author of The Deadly Path, sheds light on the world of firearms trafficking. We explore the stark reality of crime-ridden parks in New York City housing projects, where children live in fear and are locked inside their homes for safety. But it doesn't end there. Peter takes us to the heart of the matter — the prosecution, or lack thereof, of gun crimes.

We uncover the startling truth behind ATF Operation Fast and Furious, a whistleblower's account that reveals a pattern of allowing firearms to flow into Mexico, leading to a staggering number of guns in the wrong hands. And as we discuss the impact of this operation and its consequences, we also touch on the current crisis of fentanyl and the arming of Mexican cartels with US military spec weapons. This episode will leave you questioning the state of our justice system and the policies that guide it.

Join us as we discuss:

• The scale, implications and consequences of Operation Fast and Furious, ultimately fueling the fire of gun violence
• The opioid crisis in conjunction with cartel activities; turning internally to address the fentanyl situation
• The Broken Windows theory and the regression in policy of prosecuting low-level crimes
• Lack of utilization of parks in NYC housing projects due to crime and safety concerns

Pete Forcelli’s Personal Website: https://www.peterjforcelli.com/ His book The Deadly Path: How Operation Fast & Furious and Bad Lawyers Armed Mexican Cartelsreleases on March 5th, 2024.

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. ]]>3528false61fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-overlapping-crisis-cartels-fentanyl-and-sex-trafficking--57093030will be solicited by a sex buyer, or engaged with a trafficker.

In this revealing conversation, our guest Heidi Chance shares her powerful transition from a routine patrol officer to an undercover detective focused on combating sex trafficking. Heidi sheds light on the face-to-face encounters she’s had with vulnerable juveniles as well as their captors, and the heart-wrenching stories that led her to take action. You'll hear about the challenges of working with limited resources in a high-demand field, as she paints a vivid picture of the complexities and dangers involved in her work. Heidi’s passion for mitigating this crisis has led to the conception of A Chance for Awareness, a program that offers law enforcement training, as well as community sex trafficking awareness via her coaching, training and presentations.

Join us as we discuss:

• The pivotal role of technology, including the dark web and social media, in perpetuating the problem
• The evolving dynamics of sex trafficking, including the disturbing trend of younger victims, both boys and girls
• The tactics used by traffickers to control their victims, including substance addiction, and the interconnection between the opioid crisis and sex trafficking
• Heidi’s mission: dedicated to raising awareness about sex trafficking and educating law enforcement officers on how to tackle these investigations effectively
• The significance of community involvement, reporting, and Good Samaritan laws in combating sex trafficking

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. ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/57093030Tue, 17 Oct 2023 05:00:02 +0000Rigaku1 in 3 runaways that are out on the streets will be solicited by a sex buyer, or engaged with a trafficker. In this revealing conversation, our guest https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidi-chance-86868334/ shares her powerful transition from a routine...will be solicited by a sex buyer, or engaged with a trafficker.

In this revealing conversation, our guest Heidi Chance shares her powerful transition from a routine patrol officer to an undercover detective focused on combating sex trafficking. Heidi sheds light on the face-to-face encounters she’s had with vulnerable juveniles as well as their captors, and the heart-wrenching stories that led her to take action. You'll hear about the challenges of working with limited resources in a high-demand field, as she paints a vivid picture of the complexities and dangers involved in her work. Heidi’s passion for mitigating this crisis has led to the conception of A Chance for Awareness, a program that offers law enforcement training, as well as community sex trafficking awareness via her coaching, training and presentations.

Join us as we discuss:

• The pivotal role of technology, including the dark web and social media, in perpetuating the problem
• The evolving dynamics of sex trafficking, including the disturbing trend of younger victims, both boys and girls
• The tactics used by traffickers to control their victims, including substance addiction, and the interconnection between the opioid crisis and sex trafficking
• Heidi’s mission: dedicated to raising awareness about sex trafficking and educating law enforcement officers on how to tackle these investigations effectively
• The significance of community involvement, reporting, and Good Samaritan laws in combating sex trafficking

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. ]]>2088false60fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/overcoming-stigma-treating-opioid-addiction-with-compassion--57034451love.

Today on the show we’re joined by Dr. Schuyler Geller, who has an extensive background in international teaching, patient care, and health care leadership. Previously a Medication Assisted Recovery Physician, and currently a Hospitalist for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, his humanitarian spirit shines bright in this episode. Together we delve into the need for comprehensive approaches, including medication-assisted treatment and harm reduction strategies, to save lives and support recovery. Dr. Geller highlights the importance of understanding addiction as a chronic relapsing brain disease and emphasizes the significance of immediate intervention and treatment due to the high risk of relapse and mortality associated with opioid use.

Join us as we discuss:

• Addiction as a chronic relapsing brain disease vs. deviant criminal behavior
• How physical and emotional abuse impacts the growing brain, and can ultimately lead to substance addiction — all beginning in the womb
• The critical role of buprenorphine in medication-assisted treatment
• The need to combat the stigma associated with harm reduction approaches
• Resilience as the key to reducing opioid 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.
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/57034451Tue, 10 Oct 2023 05:00:03 +0000RigakuSuboxone will protect an individual from a fentanyl overdose, but the one thing that will keep them in recovery is love. Today on the show we’re joined by https://www.linkedin.com/in/schuyler-k-geller-4341658/, who has an extensive background in...love.

Today on the show we’re joined by Dr. Schuyler Geller, who has an extensive background in international teaching, patient care, and health care leadership. Previously a Medication Assisted Recovery Physician, and currently a Hospitalist for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, his humanitarian spirit shines bright in this episode. Together we delve into the need for comprehensive approaches, including medication-assisted treatment and harm reduction strategies, to save lives and support recovery. Dr. Geller highlights the importance of understanding addiction as a chronic relapsing brain disease and emphasizes the significance of immediate intervention and treatment due to the high risk of relapse and mortality associated with opioid use.

Join us as we discuss:

• Addiction as a chronic relapsing brain disease vs. deviant criminal behavior
• How physical and emotional abuse impacts the growing brain, and can ultimately lead to substance addiction — all beginning in the womb
• The critical role of buprenorphine in medication-assisted treatment
• The need to combat the stigma associated with harm reduction approaches
• Resilience as the key to reducing opioid 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.
]]>3359false59fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/narco-terrorism-unveiled-inside-mexico-s-cartel-chronicles--56997734
In this episode, we dive deep into the heart of Mexico, exploring its complex relationship with the drug cartels. With over 25 years of experience in the field, we have retired DEA agent Ralph Villarruel on the show, giving us the ground truth.. the reality of what's happening south of the border. Ralph was one of the lead investigators for the cartel murder of DEA Special Agent Kiki Camerena in 1985, and has seen things that most cannot fathom. In this riveting conversation, we take a closer look at the chilling transformation of Mexican cartels into more violent and sadistic organizations, including their changing tactics and the disturbing trends in violence and brutality. We also delve into the dark world of money laundering, migrant exploitation, and the unintended consequences of border policies.

Join us as we discuss:

• The dramatic evolution of Mexican cartels, from the 1980s to 2023, including their shift from cocaine to synthetic drugs like fentanyl
• The inner workings of Mexican cartels, including their recruitment strategies, use of foreign experts, and international connections, especially with Chinese criminal organizations
• The interconnected issues of cartels, migrants, and the fentanyl crisis
• Whether US policy is indirectly contributing and causing more problems than it's solving

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.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56997734Tue, 03 Oct 2023 05:00:03 +0000RigakuOne thousand pesos — that’s $59 — to go out and commit murder. In this episode, we dive deep into the heart of Mexico, exploring its complex relationship with the drug cartels. With over 25 years of experience in the field, we have retired DEA agent...
In this episode, we dive deep into the heart of Mexico, exploring its complex relationship with the drug cartels. With over 25 years of experience in the field, we have retired DEA agent Ralph Villarruel on the show, giving us the ground truth.. the reality of what's happening south of the border. Ralph was one of the lead investigators for the cartel murder of DEA Special Agent Kiki Camerena in 1985, and has seen things that most cannot fathom. In this riveting conversation, we take a closer look at the chilling transformation of Mexican cartels into more violent and sadistic organizations, including their changing tactics and the disturbing trends in violence and brutality. We also delve into the dark world of money laundering, migrant exploitation, and the unintended consequences of border policies.

Join us as we discuss:

• The dramatic evolution of Mexican cartels, from the 1980s to 2023, including their shift from cocaine to synthetic drugs like fentanyl
• The inner workings of Mexican cartels, including their recruitment strategies, use of foreign experts, and international connections, especially with Chinese criminal organizations
• The interconnected issues of cartels, migrants, and the fentanyl crisis
• Whether US policy is indirectly contributing and causing more problems than it's solving

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.]]>3708false58fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-need-for-a-narco-hazmat-response-to-the-opioid-epidemic--56898984
Our guest, hazmat expert David DiGregorio, brings a career of unique experience that includes serving in the U.S. Army's medical field and as Director of Hazmat Emergency Response in Massachusetts. With a background in medical, CBRN, and hazmat - David has a special skill set in improving readiness and response tactics in emergency situations.

Together we discuss the fentanyl crisis from all angles, including its potential weaponization and the challenges faced by law enforcement and first responders. David reveals how hazmat teams are working hand in hand with law enforcement to combat clandestine drug labs, as well as the importance of breaking down silos among various agencies, the obstacles around fentanyl testing, and the critical need for improved communication.

Join us as we discuss:

• What hazmat means in today's context
• The role of technology in the field
• Innovative strategies for tackling the fentanyl crisis
• Complexities of regulating substances like xylazine
• The need for a comprehensive approach to address this growing epidemic

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. ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56898984Tue, 26 Sep 2023 05:00:02 +0000RigakuBetween 250 and 300 people will die today from a fentanyl-related overdose. Are we faced with a weapon of mass destruction? An epidemic? A mental health crisis? Or all of the above? Our guest, hazmat expert...
Our guest, hazmat expert David DiGregorio, brings a career of unique experience that includes serving in the U.S. Army's medical field and as Director of Hazmat Emergency Response in Massachusetts. With a background in medical, CBRN, and hazmat - David has a special skill set in improving readiness and response tactics in emergency situations.

Together we discuss the fentanyl crisis from all angles, including its potential weaponization and the challenges faced by law enforcement and first responders. David reveals how hazmat teams are working hand in hand with law enforcement to combat clandestine drug labs, as well as the importance of breaking down silos among various agencies, the obstacles around fentanyl testing, and the critical need for improved communication.

Join us as we discuss:

• What hazmat means in today's context
• The role of technology in the field
• Innovative strategies for tackling the fentanyl crisis
• Complexities of regulating substances like xylazine
• The need for a comprehensive approach to address this growing epidemic

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. ]]>2994false57fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/law-enforcement-vs-america-s-new-progressive-social-agenda--56815403When you remove social restraints, you get chaos.

In this episode, two former DEA agents reunite to discuss the implications of government support on motivation, disparities in education, and the role of law enforcement. They unpack harsh realities of modern day drug smuggling, as well as the impact of immigration policies on the job market, the rise of fentanyl overdoses, and the conflicting messages about drug use. Needless to say, these seasoned law enforcement agents unwind the complicated intersection of immigration, drug policy, and modern American culture with its evolving societal values.

Join us as we discuss:

• The conflicting messages surrounding drug use, from the "drugs are bad" narrative to the movement for drug decriminalization in progressive cities
• Societal implications of dependency on government support, questioning whether it encourages or hinders motivation to achieve personal success
• The role of law enforcement amidst the larger debate about the direction America is heading, from democracy to social policies

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. ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56815403Tue, 19 Sep 2023 05:05:01 +0000RigakuWhen you remove social restraints, you get chaos. In this episode, two former DEA agents reunite to discuss the implications of government support on motivation, disparities in education, and the role of law enforcement. They unpack harsh realities...When you remove social restraints, you get chaos.

In this episode, two former DEA agents reunite to discuss the implications of government support on motivation, disparities in education, and the role of law enforcement. They unpack harsh realities of modern day drug smuggling, as well as the impact of immigration policies on the job market, the rise of fentanyl overdoses, and the conflicting messages about drug use. Needless to say, these seasoned law enforcement agents unwind the complicated intersection of immigration, drug policy, and modern American culture with its evolving societal values.

Join us as we discuss:

• The conflicting messages surrounding drug use, from the "drugs are bad" narrative to the movement for drug decriminalization in progressive cities
• Societal implications of dependency on government support, questioning whether it encourages or hinders motivation to achieve personal success
• The role of law enforcement amidst the larger debate about the direction America is heading, from democracy to social policies

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. ]]>2595false56fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-history-of-addiction-unraveling-america-s-affair-with-the-drug-trade--56766260Can America break free from the grip of addiction? Are innovative solutions like alcohol purchase licenses and safe drug supply the answer? And what role should medical professionals play in arresting this widespread disease?
Our latest guest is Dr. Brian Johnson, Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry and Anesthesia at SUNY Upstate and recently retired Director of Addiction Medicine at Upstate University Hospital. As the author of The Mass Psychology of Addiction, Dr. Johnson challenges conventional narratives and confronts uncomfortable truths, providing a space for open dialogue and innovative thinking to pave the way toward a healthier, more informed future.
In this candid conversation, we explore the psychology behind cravings, the alarming rise of new drug trends like chroming, and the stark reality of an America seemingly caught in a downward spiral of addiction. Dr. Johnson dissects the historical ties between addiction and societal issues, revealing how racism, slavery, and even government complicity have shaped the landscape we face today.
Join us as we discuss:

• Cigarette’s role in the Fentanyl crisis
• The roots of drug addiction in history, including racism, slavery, and the drug trade's legacy
• The mass psychology of addiction and government complicity
• Where the focus needs to be in eradicating 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. ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56766260Tue, 12 Sep 2023 05:00:02 +0000RigakuCan America break free from the grip of addiction? Are innovative solutions like alcohol purchase licenses and safe drug supply the answer? And what role should medical professionals play in arresting this widespread disease? Our latest guest is...Can America break free from the grip of addiction? Are innovative solutions like alcohol purchase licenses and safe drug supply the answer? And what role should medical professionals play in arresting this widespread disease?
Our latest guest is Dr. Brian Johnson, Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry and Anesthesia at SUNY Upstate and recently retired Director of Addiction Medicine at Upstate University Hospital. As the author of The Mass Psychology of Addiction, Dr. Johnson challenges conventional narratives and confronts uncomfortable truths, providing a space for open dialogue and innovative thinking to pave the way toward a healthier, more informed future.
In this candid conversation, we explore the psychology behind cravings, the alarming rise of new drug trends like chroming, and the stark reality of an America seemingly caught in a downward spiral of addiction. Dr. Johnson dissects the historical ties between addiction and societal issues, revealing how racism, slavery, and even government complicity have shaped the landscape we face today.
Join us as we discuss:

• Cigarette’s role in the Fentanyl crisis
• The roots of drug addiction in history, including racism, slavery, and the drug trade's legacy
• The mass psychology of addiction and government complicity
• Where the focus needs to be in eradicating 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. ]]>2955false55fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/how-a-mother-is-making-an-impact-on-the-fentanyl-crisis--56556284According to the CDC, 107,000 people in the United States have died from drug poisoning related to fentanyl, yet the country fails to recognize it as the weapon of mass destruction that it is. Prevalent substance addiction in the United States is a persistent problem — with fentanyl at the helm of the ship. Lisa Deane, the CEO and founder of Demand Zero, a nonprofit working towards eradicating Mexican cartel fentanyl, joins the show. Lisa founded Demand Zero after losing her son in 2018 from fentanyl poisoning, and she has since made it her mission to end fentanyl’s disastrous toll. Join us as we discuss:

• Is substance addiction being normalized? What is behind the growing demand for dangerous narcotics
• Fentanyl’s easy pathway to children and schools
• Enforcing accountability; halting Mexican cartels and controlling precursor chemicals

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. ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56556284Tue, 29 Aug 2023 05:00:02 +0000RigakuAccording to the https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/trends-statistics/overdose-death-rates, 107,000 people in the United States have died from drug poisoning related to fentanyl, yet the country fails to recognize it as the weapon of mass...According to the CDC, 107,000 people in the United States have died from drug poisoning related to fentanyl, yet the country fails to recognize it as the weapon of mass destruction that it is. Prevalent substance addiction in the United States is a persistent problem — with fentanyl at the helm of the ship. Lisa Deane, the CEO and founder of Demand Zero, a nonprofit working towards eradicating Mexican cartel fentanyl, joins the show. Lisa founded Demand Zero after losing her son in 2018 from fentanyl poisoning, and she has since made it her mission to end fentanyl’s disastrous toll. Join us as we discuss:

• Is substance addiction being normalized? What is behind the growing demand for dangerous narcotics
• Fentanyl’s easy pathway to children and schools
• Enforcing accountability; halting Mexican cartels and controlling precursor chemicals

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. ]]>2730false54fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/facing-fentanyl-head-on-with-andrea-thomas--56504536When Andrea Thomas’ daughter Ashley lost her life to half of a pill that contained illicit fentanyl, her world was turned upside down. Since her daughter’s death in 2018, Andrea has thrown herself into activism, starting the prevention and awareness organization Voices For Awareness and later working with other activists with Facing Fentanyl Now, an awareness and education organization.

Andrea is on a mission to educate families and youth about the dangers of illicit fentanyl and counterfeit pills. She hopes education will save others from the painful realities of the deadly drugs that circulate on the black market today.
Join us as we discuss:

• The deadly dangers of counterfeit pills
• The tragic toll of fentanyl poisoning
• Driving change through prevention and awareness

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. ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56504536Mon, 21 Aug 2023 05:00:03 +0000RigakuWhen Andrea Thomas’ daughter Ashley lost her life to half of a pill that contained illicit fentanyl, her world was turned upside down. Since her daughter’s death in 2018, Andrea has thrown herself into activism, starting the prevention and awareness...When Andrea Thomas’ daughter Ashley lost her life to half of a pill that contained illicit fentanyl, her world was turned upside down. Since her daughter’s death in 2018, Andrea has thrown herself into activism, starting the prevention and awareness organization Voices For Awareness and later working with other activists with Facing Fentanyl Now, an awareness and education organization.

Andrea is on a mission to educate families and youth about the dangers of illicit fentanyl and counterfeit pills. She hopes education will save others from the painful realities of the deadly drugs that circulate on the black market today.
Join us as we discuss:

• The deadly dangers of counterfeit pills
• The tragic toll of fentanyl poisoning
• Driving change through prevention and awareness

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. ]]>3084false53fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/reshaping-addiction-recovery-with-human-centered-harm-reduction--56476679Opioid addiction isn’t just about the drug—the problem is usually much deeper. Addressing the crisis and waging a war on fentanyl will not be successful until those on the frontlines start treating people who suffer from addiction as humans.

In this episode, we’re joined by CJ Syas and Adam Tripp of Mantra Recovery. Having struggled with opioid addiction themselves, CJ and Adam joined together to work together, one-on-one with people facing addiction to provide resources, guidance and recovery support. According to them, the missing piece of the puzzle is harm reduction and professional intervention.

Join us as we discuss:

• Necessary resources and support for overcoming addiction
• Striking a balance between helping people, enabling addiction and keeping communities healthy and safe
• Addiction, mental health and the unique needs of underserved communities

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. ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56476679Tue, 15 Aug 2023 13:47:21 +0000RigakuOpioid addiction isn’t just about the drug—the problem is usually much deeper. Addressing the crisis and waging a war on fentanyl will not be successful until those on the frontlines start treating people who suffer from addiction as humans. In this...Opioid addiction isn’t just about the drug—the problem is usually much deeper. Addressing the crisis and waging a war on fentanyl will not be successful until those on the frontlines start treating people who suffer from addiction as humans.

In this episode, we’re joined by CJ Syas and Adam Tripp of Mantra Recovery. Having struggled with opioid addiction themselves, CJ and Adam joined together to work together, one-on-one with people facing addiction to provide resources, guidance and recovery support. According to them, the missing piece of the puzzle is harm reduction and professional intervention.

Join us as we discuss:

• Necessary resources and support for overcoming addiction
• Striking a balance between helping people, enabling addiction and keeping communities healthy and safe
• Addiction, mental health and the unique needs of underserved communities

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. ]]>2576true52fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/from-crisis-to-solution-a-round-table-conversation-on-battling-the-opioid-crisis--56350661Join us for a special 50th episode of The Opioid Matrix as we bring together four leading experts in the field of mental health and substance addiction disorder: Dr. Sofia Georgoulias, Scott Silverman, Brian Townsend and Dr. Michael Miller. In this thought-provoking panel discussion, we delve into the complex issues surrounding addiction, drug use, treatment, and mental health.

Together, we explore the root causes of addiction and treatment options that can make a difference. Our expert guests, who specialize in different aspects of addiction issues, shed light on the shortcomings of current mainstream treatments, educational approaches, and the ongoing debate around decriminalization.

Join us at the virtual roundtable as our experts try to unravel the complexities of addiction and treatment. We strive to make progress by identifying effective strategies to reach those who are deeply affected by the opioid crisis.

Join us as we discuss:

• Addiction’s causes and treatments available
• Faults with current mainstream treatments
• Making progress through education

Don't miss this milestone episode where insights from these leading voices in the field address the urgent need for action. Join us as we embark on a collective journey toward ending the drug crisis and paving the way for a healthier, more compassionate society.

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.

]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56350661Tue, 08 Aug 2023 05:00:02 +0000RigakuJoin us for a special 50th episode of The Opioid Matrix as we bring together four leading experts in the field of mental health and substance addiction disorder: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sofiageorgoulias/,...Join us for a special 50th episode of The Opioid Matrix as we bring together four leading experts in the field of mental health and substance addiction disorder: Dr. Sofia Georgoulias, Scott Silverman, Brian Townsend and Dr. Michael Miller. In this thought-provoking panel discussion, we delve into the complex issues surrounding addiction, drug use, treatment, and mental health.

Together, we explore the root causes of addiction and treatment options that can make a difference. Our expert guests, who specialize in different aspects of addiction issues, shed light on the shortcomings of current mainstream treatments, educational approaches, and the ongoing debate around decriminalization.

Join us at the virtual roundtable as our experts try to unravel the complexities of addiction and treatment. We strive to make progress by identifying effective strategies to reach those who are deeply affected by the opioid crisis.

Join us as we discuss:

• Addiction’s causes and treatments available
• Faults with current mainstream treatments
• Making progress through education

Don't miss this milestone episode where insights from these leading voices in the field address the urgent need for action. Join us as we embark on a collective journey toward ending the drug crisis and paving the way for a healthier, more compassionate society.

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.

]]>3102false51fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-battle-against-transnational-crime-with-anthony-stephen-malone--56268441In this gripping episode of The Opioid Matrix with Michael Brown, we continue our insightful conversation with former Intelligence agent and author, Anthony Stephen Malone. Join us for an eye-opening exploration of the global fight against transnational organized crime, as we delve into the realms of human trafficking and the growing militarization of drug cartels.Anthony sheds light on the urgent need to confront the evolving strategies employed by cartels and highlights their alarming connection to harboring and assisting known terrorists.
Join us as we navigate through these complex issues, seeking solutions to combat the ever-evolving world of transnational crime. Discover the courage and determination required to confront these challenges head-on, as we strive to dismantle the sinister networks that perpetuate human suffering and drug-related crises.
In this episode we will discuss:

• World Wide Human Trafficking
• The Sophistication of Modern Drug Smuggling Tactics
• International Money Laundering Empowering Cartels
• The Will to Stop Drug Cartels

Don't miss this thought-provoking episode, where Anthony Stephen Malone's expertise and insights shed light on the global battle to end human trafficking and confront militarized cartels.
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. ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56268441Tue, 01 Aug 2023 05:00:03 +0000RigakuIn this gripping episode of The Opioid Matrix with Michael Brown, we continue our insightful conversation with former Intelligence agent and author, Anthony Stephen Malone. Join us for an eye-opening exploration of the global fight against...In this gripping episode of The Opioid Matrix with Michael Brown, we continue our insightful conversation with former Intelligence agent and author, Anthony Stephen Malone. Join us for an eye-opening exploration of the global fight against transnational organized crime, as we delve into the realms of human trafficking and the growing militarization of drug cartels.Anthony sheds light on the urgent need to confront the evolving strategies employed by cartels and highlights their alarming connection to harboring and assisting known terrorists.
Join us as we navigate through these complex issues, seeking solutions to combat the ever-evolving world of transnational crime. Discover the courage and determination required to confront these challenges head-on, as we strive to dismantle the sinister networks that perpetuate human suffering and drug-related crises.
In this episode we will discuss:

• World Wide Human Trafficking
• The Sophistication of Modern Drug Smuggling Tactics
• International Money Laundering Empowering Cartels
• The Will to Stop Drug Cartels

Don't miss this thought-provoking episode, where Anthony Stephen Malone's expertise and insights shed light on the global battle to end human trafficking and confront militarized cartels.
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. ]]>2689false50fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/shifting-frontiers-mexico-s-drug-trade-national-security--56128997The US war on terror has shifted — from Afghanistan and terrorism to Mexico and deadly drugs. The discussion on terrorism is calling for Mexican drug cartels to be reclassified as narco-terrorist organizations and fentanyl as a class one controlled substance.Kevin Ofchus, CEO at HNPSWA, former DEA special agent, and repeat guest joins us to help break down some of these issues. With years of hands-on experience at the forefront of the war on terror, Kevin dives into what differentiates today’s challenges from previous adversaries. Join us as we discuss:

• Defining and addressing national security threats
• Leveraging AI as a tool for tracking and fighting the opioid epidemic
• Building a Blueprint for interagency collaboration for addressing threats

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. ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56128997Tue, 25 Jul 2023 05:00:02 +0000RigakuThe US war on terror has shifted — from Afghanistan and terrorism to Mexico and deadly drugs. The discussion on terrorism is calling for Mexican drug cartels to be reclassified as narco-terrorist organizations and fentanyl as a class one controlled...The US war on terror has shifted — from Afghanistan and terrorism to Mexico and deadly drugs. The discussion on terrorism is calling for Mexican drug cartels to be reclassified as narco-terrorist organizations and fentanyl as a class one controlled substance.Kevin Ofchus, CEO at HNPSWA, former DEA special agent, and repeat guest joins us to help break down some of these issues. With years of hands-on experience at the forefront of the war on terror, Kevin dives into what differentiates today’s challenges from previous adversaries. Join us as we discuss:

• Defining and addressing national security threats
• Leveraging AI as a tool for tracking and fighting the opioid epidemic
• Building a Blueprint for interagency collaboration for addressing threats

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. ]]>3632false49fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-mother-s-journey-healing-trauma-addiction-and-resilience-with-lakeydra-houston--56051631In this powerful episode of The Opioid Matrix, join host Michael Brown as he engages in a profound conversation with Lakeydra Houston, a veteran, advocate, coach and mother. As an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran, Lakeydra opens up about her experiences with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the challenging journey of mothering a son who battles addiction. With unwavering honesty, Lakeydra delves into the impact of her military service on her family, from the demands of active duty to the enduring effects of PTSD. She fearlessly shares her personal struggles, including guilt, shame, and the heart-wrenching journey through her son's addiction. As a true warrior and advocate, Lakeydra sheds light on the unique challenges faced by military families and emphasizes the vital importance of seeking help and support. She passionately advocates for open conversations surrounding mental health issues within the military, impressing the importance of veterans being able to seek help without damaging their reputation. Throughout the episode, Lakeydra discusses:

• Talking to your children about the dangers of recreational drug use.
• The dangers of normalizing drug abuse among young people.
• The high cost of addiction treatment.
• The significance of addressing emotional trauma to escape its grip.

Don't miss this compelling episode of The Opioid Matrix, where real stories shed light on the path to healing and recovery.

To make sure you never miss an episode of The Opioid Matrix, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the website, or your favorite podcast player.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56051631Tue, 18 Jul 2023 05:00:02 +0000RigakuIn this powerful episode of The Opioid Matrix, join host Michael Brown as he engages in a profound conversation with Lakeydra Houston, a veteran, advocate, coach and mother. As an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran, Lakeydra opens up about her...In this powerful episode of The Opioid Matrix, join host Michael Brown as he engages in a profound conversation with Lakeydra Houston, a veteran, advocate, coach and mother. As an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran, Lakeydra opens up about her experiences with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the challenging journey of mothering a son who battles addiction. With unwavering honesty, Lakeydra delves into the impact of her military service on her family, from the demands of active duty to the enduring effects of PTSD. She fearlessly shares her personal struggles, including guilt, shame, and the heart-wrenching journey through her son's addiction. As a true warrior and advocate, Lakeydra sheds light on the unique challenges faced by military families and emphasizes the vital importance of seeking help and support. She passionately advocates for open conversations surrounding mental health issues within the military, impressing the importance of veterans being able to seek help without damaging their reputation. Throughout the episode, Lakeydra discusses:

• Talking to your children about the dangers of recreational drug use.
• The dangers of normalizing drug abuse among young people.
• The high cost of addiction treatment.
• The significance of addressing emotional trauma to escape its grip.

Don't miss this compelling episode of The Opioid Matrix, where real stories shed light on the path to healing and recovery.

To make sure you never miss an episode of The Opioid Matrix, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the website, or your favorite podcast player.]]>3120false48fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/battling-drug-smuggling-and-protecting-local-communities-with-lt-christopher-olivarez--55154684In this thought-provoking installment, we shed light on the collateral victims of the devastating fentanyl crisis and expose the criminals who prey on migrants. Join us for this eye-opening conversation with Lieutenant Christopher Olivarez, the spokesperson for the Texas Department of Public Safety. Lieutenant Olivarez offers a stark and unfiltered look into the reality of drug smuggling at the US-Mexican border.

Prepare to confront the challenges faced by law enforcement in their relentless war on drugs. Gain insights into the shocking involvement of legitimate pharmacies in narco-trafficking, uncovering a dark underbelly that undermines public safety and exacerbates the crisis.
Join us as we navigate the treacherous landscape where drug smuggling intertwines with the fates of innocent lives. Together, let's forge a path toward understanding and explore the urgent need for comprehensive solutions in this ongoing battle against the opioid crisis.
Join us as we discuss:

• The challenges law enforcement faces in the war on drugs
• Legitimate pharmacies that participate in narco trafficking
• How an unsecure border puts Americans at risk

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. ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/55154684Tue, 11 Jul 2023 05:00:02 +0000RigakuIn this thought-provoking installment, we shed light on the collateral victims of the devastating fentanyl crisis and expose the criminals who prey on migrants. Join us for this eye-opening conversation with Lieutenant Christopher Olivarez, the...In this thought-provoking installment, we shed light on the collateral victims of the devastating fentanyl crisis and expose the criminals who prey on migrants. Join us for this eye-opening conversation with Lieutenant Christopher Olivarez, the spokesperson for the Texas Department of Public Safety. Lieutenant Olivarez offers a stark and unfiltered look into the reality of drug smuggling at the US-Mexican border.

Prepare to confront the challenges faced by law enforcement in their relentless war on drugs. Gain insights into the shocking involvement of legitimate pharmacies in narco-trafficking, uncovering a dark underbelly that undermines public safety and exacerbates the crisis.
Join us as we navigate the treacherous landscape where drug smuggling intertwines with the fates of innocent lives. Together, let's forge a path toward understanding and explore the urgent need for comprehensive solutions in this ongoing battle against the opioid crisis.
Join us as we discuss:

• The challenges law enforcement faces in the war on drugs
• Legitimate pharmacies that participate in narco trafficking
• How an unsecure border puts Americans at risk

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. ]]>3267false47fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/from-oxycontin-to-fentanyl-addicting-america--54104275In this episode, Michael speaks with Pharmacist Mike. They discuss the effects of narcotics, such as oxycontin, heroin, and fentanyl, and the difficulty of breaking addiction.

This episode also touches on the American Pharmaceutical Industry's pricing power and the need for a balance between regulation and promotion for research and development.
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. ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/54104275Tue, 27 Jun 2023 05:00:02 +0000RigakuIn this episode, Michael speaks with Pharmacist Mike. They discuss the effects of narcotics, such as oxycontin, heroin, and fentanyl, and the difficulty of breaking addiction. This episode also touches on the American Pharmaceutical Industry's...In this episode, Michael speaks with Pharmacist Mike. They discuss the effects of narcotics, such as oxycontin, heroin, and fentanyl, and the difficulty of breaking addiction.

This episode also touches on the American Pharmaceutical Industry's pricing power and the need for a balance between regulation and promotion for research and development.
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. ]]>3481false46fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/understanding-the-mind-of-an-addict-with-teresa-whitney--54104244Teresa Whitney, a drug counselor with a powerful personal story. From battling heroin addiction to becoming a beacon of hope, Teresa's years of experience bring a dynamic perspective on addiction and recovery from someone who has been through the trenches herself.
With an unwavering commitment to marginalized communities, Teresa sheds light on the unrelenting grip of addiction. Her life is a story of resilience, as she survived addiction and relapse before rediscovering herself in long-term recovery in her forties.
Join Michael Brown and Teresa Whitney as they delve into the heart of the matter, illuminating the far-reaching impact of addiction. Brace yourself for an episode brimming with personal triumphs, professional insights, and a relentless pursuit of understanding addiction to fuel outreach and recovery.
Join us as we discuss:

• Relapse on the road to recovery
• Holistic rehabilitation treatment
• Working through trauma for sustainable recovery

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. ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/54104244Tue, 20 Jun 2023 05:00:01 +0000RigakuGet ready to venture deep into the rabbit hole and emerge with a newfound perspective on the battle against addiction. Host Michael Brown welcomes https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresa-whitney-77510a18/, a drug counselor with a powerful personal story....Teresa Whitney, a drug counselor with a powerful personal story. From battling heroin addiction to becoming a beacon of hope, Teresa's years of experience bring a dynamic perspective on addiction and recovery from someone who has been through the trenches herself.
With an unwavering commitment to marginalized communities, Teresa sheds light on the unrelenting grip of addiction. Her life is a story of resilience, as she survived addiction and relapse before rediscovering herself in long-term recovery in her forties.
Join Michael Brown and Teresa Whitney as they delve into the heart of the matter, illuminating the far-reaching impact of addiction. Brace yourself for an episode brimming with personal triumphs, professional insights, and a relentless pursuit of understanding addiction to fuel outreach and recovery.
Join us as we discuss:

• Relapse on the road to recovery
• Holistic rehabilitation treatment
• Working through trauma for sustainable recovery

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. ]]>3068false45fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/300-lives-a-day-the-perseverance-to-save-lives-with-derek-maltz--54104202Every single day, 300 Americans lose their lives to drug overdoses. This is not just a statistic — it’s a tragedy that demands our attention.

In this episode, we hear a whirlwind conversation with Derek Maltz, who is a retired Special Agent who was in Charge of the DEAs Special Operations Division. Derek shares an inside account of the astonishing evolution of drug cartels into sinister multi-national criminal networks.

Through their storytelling and wealth of experience, Michael Brown and Derek Maltz deliver a poignant wake-up call, urging us to confront the true depths of this crisis.
Join us as we discuss:

• The alliance between the Chinese Communist Party and Mexican Drug Cartels
• International money laundering and counterintelligence
• How and why drug trafficking strategies have evolved

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.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/54104202Tue, 13 Jun 2023 05:00:02 +0000RigakuEvery single day, 300 Americans lose their lives to drug overdoses. This is not just a statistic — it’s a tragedy that demands our attention. In this episode, we hear a whirlwind conversation with https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-maltz-7a291333/,...Every single day, 300 Americans lose their lives to drug overdoses. This is not just a statistic — it’s a tragedy that demands our attention.

In this episode, we hear a whirlwind conversation with Derek Maltz, who is a retired Special Agent who was in Charge of the DEAs Special Operations Division. Derek shares an inside account of the astonishing evolution of drug cartels into sinister multi-national criminal networks.

Through their storytelling and wealth of experience, Michael Brown and Derek Maltz deliver a poignant wake-up call, urging us to confront the true depths of this crisis.
Join us as we discuss:

• The alliance between the Chinese Communist Party and Mexican Drug Cartels
• International money laundering and counterintelligence
• How and why drug trafficking strategies have evolved

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.]]>3266false44fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/michael-fiore-turning-pain-into-purpose--54077030Today, recreational drug use poses a threat that was unimaginable twenty years ago. In this episode, we’re joined by Michael Fiore, a man who has survived the depths of addiction to find purpose in helping others. Now Fiore aims to inspire others to stay clean from drugs through the organization's Voices of Awareness and Facing Fentanyl. His story is about finding a way through the darkness of addiction into the light of recovery.
Join us as we discuss:

• Breaking the generational cycle of addiction
• The recovery community fighting on the front lines of the drug war
• Thriving in recovery

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.
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/54077030Tue, 06 Jun 2023 05:00:02 +0000RigakuToday, recreational drug use poses a threat that was unimaginable twenty years ago. In this episode, we’re joined by https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelfiore118/, a man who has survived the depths of addiction to find purpose in helping others. Now...Today, recreational drug use poses a threat that was unimaginable twenty years ago. In this episode, we’re joined by Michael Fiore, a man who has survived the depths of addiction to find purpose in helping others. Now Fiore aims to inspire others to stay clean from drugs through the organization's Voices of Awareness and Facing Fentanyl. His story is about finding a way through the darkness of addiction into the light of recovery.
Join us as we discuss:

• Breaking the generational cycle of addiction
• The recovery community fighting on the front lines of the drug war
• Thriving in recovery

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.
]]>2720false43fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/understanding-stimulant-use-disorder--53961121Substance use disorders may be a societal problem the world over, but not all substances are the same — which means approaches to tackling the problem can’t be one-size-fits-all.In this episode, Jon Peeples, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Affect Therapeutic, joins to explain stimulant use disorder, its neurological effects and what makes treating it unique.We discuss:

• The mental and physical components of stimulant use disorder
• The reason for making a distinction between stimulant use disorder and substance use disorder
• A doctor’s perspective on harm-reduction efforts like safe injection sites and decriminalization

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. ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53961121Tue, 23 May 2023 05:00:03 +0000RigakuSubstance use disorders may be a societal problem the world over, but not all substances are the same — which means approaches to tackling the problem can’t be one-size-fits-all.In this episode, Jon Peeples, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Affect...Substance use disorders may be a societal problem the world over, but not all substances are the same — which means approaches to tackling the problem can’t be one-size-fits-all.In this episode, Jon Peeples, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Affect Therapeutic, joins to explain stimulant use disorder, its neurological effects and what makes treating it unique.We discuss:

• The mental and physical components of stimulant use disorder
• The reason for making a distinction between stimulant use disorder and substance use disorder
• A doctor’s perspective on harm-reduction efforts like safe injection sites and decriminalization

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. ]]>2826false42fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-real-talk-about-fake-pills-with-song-for-charlie-founder-ed-ternan--53595252After 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:

• https://www.songforcharlie.org/
• https://www.fentanylawarenessday.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. ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53595252Tue, 09 May 2023 05:00:02 +0000RigakuAfter 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...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:

• https://www.songforcharlie.org/
• https://www.fentanylawarenessday.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. ]]>2956false41fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/love-loss-and-the-fight-against-counterfeit-pills--53644482Every 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

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. ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53644482Tue, 25 Apr 2023 18:28:26 +0000RigakuEvery 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...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

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. ]]>2327false40fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/beating-the-odds-from-addiction-to-advocacy-meet-elissa-tierney--53560946When 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

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.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53560946Tue, 25 Apr 2023 05:00:02 +0000RigakuWhen 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...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

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.]]>2614false39fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/fenblock-a-new-tool-for-getting-clean--53442528The 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

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. ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53442528Tue, 11 Apr 2023 05:00:02 +0000RigakuThe 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...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

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. ]]>2896false38fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/harm-reduction-the-many-paths-to-recovery--53442484The 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

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.
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53442484Tue, 04 Apr 2023 17:09:24 +0000RigakuThe 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...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

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.
]]>2245false37fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/how-oxycontin-paved-the-path-to-fentanyl-a-doctor-s-perspective--53392538When 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

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. ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53392538Thu, 30 Mar 2023 16:02:16 +0000RigakuWhen 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...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

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. ]]>1523false36fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/survival-hope-and-breaking-the-cycle-of-substance-use--53380498Family 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

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. ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53380498Wed, 29 Mar 2023 16:16:07 +0000RigakuFamily 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, https://www.linkedin.com/in/geri-lynn-utter-psyd-9384423/, Clinical Psychologist in...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

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. ]]>3018false35fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-science-behind-drug-addiction-and-treatment--53369003We 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

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. ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53369003Tue, 28 Mar 2023 18:54:09 +0000RigakuWe 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...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

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. ]]>3748false34fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/combatting-the-transnational-organized-criminal-economy--52806200Transnational 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

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. ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52806200Tue, 28 Feb 2023 05:00:02 +0000RigakuTransnational 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...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

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. ]]>3370false33fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/from-drug-dealing-to-harm-reduction-the-story-of-narcan-nate--52682833This 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.

]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52682833Tue, 14 Feb 2023 05:00:01 +0000RigakuThis 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...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.

]]>2799false132fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-opioid-epidemic-a-dea-agent-s-insider-perspective--52585082In this episode of the podcast, we welcome Brian Townsend, a former DEA special agent, to discuss his career fighting the war on drugs and the current opioid crisis.
Brian shares his insight on how trends have changed over the years and the reasons behind the staggering statistic of over 100,000 overdose deaths a year. We delve into the evolving landscape of synthetic drugs and their growing threat to law enforcement.
Brian also speaks about the need to change our approach to treating pain and the controversial statement made by Purdue pharmaceuticals claiming a low addiction rate among patients. Join us as we uncover the harsh realities of the opioid epidemic and the urgent steps needed to address it.
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.

]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52585082Tue, 07 Feb 2023 05:00:02 +0000RigakuIn this episode of the podcast, we welcome Brian Townsend, a former DEA special agent, to discuss his career fighting the war on drugs and the current opioid crisis. Brian shares his insight on how trends have changed over the years and the reasons...In this episode of the podcast, we welcome Brian Townsend, a former DEA special agent, to discuss his career fighting the war on drugs and the current opioid crisis.
Brian shares his insight on how trends have changed over the years and the reasons behind the staggering statistic of over 100,000 overdose deaths a year. We delve into the evolving landscape of synthetic drugs and their growing threat to law enforcement.
Brian also speaks about the need to change our approach to treating pain and the controversial statement made by Purdue pharmaceuticals claiming a low addiction rate among patients. Join us as we uncover the harsh realities of the opioid epidemic and the urgent steps needed to address it.
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.

]]>2492false131fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/part-two-terrorist-organizations-or-criminal-cartels-the-debate-on-fentanyl-production-in-mexico-w-kevin-ofchus--52585027In this episode, Michael speaks with Kevin Ofchus, - a former Supervisory Special Agent with the U.S. DEA and is now CEO of Host Nation Perspectives of SouthWest Asia, as well as Associate Fellow at Narrative Strategies. His projects have covered a wide range of areas focused on countering Afghan insurgency and violent extremism via intelligence and counter-intelligence, threat finance, counter-terrorism, rule of law initiatives, and post-conflict stabilization. This is part two of a two part series with Kevin.
Join us as we delve into the growing problem of fentanyl production and distribution in Mexico. We explore the current state of the epidemic and discuss the various opinions on whether these cartels should be designated as terrorist organizations. We also examine the role of congressional action and political will in tackling this issue, and the need for a more robust international presence to combat the production and distribution of fentanyl. This podcast is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of the opioid crisis and the challenges facing Mexico as it attempts to address the problem.

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.

]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52585027Tue, 31 Jan 2023 05:00:02 +0000RigakuIn this episode, Michael speaks with Kevin Ofchus, - a former Supervisory Special Agent with the U.S. DEA and is now CEO of Host Nation Perspectives of SouthWest Asia, as well as Associate Fellow at Narrative Strategies. His projects have covered a...In this episode, Michael speaks with Kevin Ofchus, - a former Supervisory Special Agent with the U.S. DEA and is now CEO of Host Nation Perspectives of SouthWest Asia, as well as Associate Fellow at Narrative Strategies. His projects have covered a wide range of areas focused on countering Afghan insurgency and violent extremism via intelligence and counter-intelligence, threat finance, counter-terrorism, rule of law initiatives, and post-conflict stabilization. This is part two of a two part series with Kevin.
Join us as we delve into the growing problem of fentanyl production and distribution in Mexico. We explore the current state of the epidemic and discuss the various opinions on whether these cartels should be designated as terrorist organizations. We also examine the role of congressional action and political will in tackling this issue, and the need for a more robust international presence to combat the production and distribution of fentanyl. This podcast is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of the opioid crisis and the challenges facing Mexico as it attempts to address the problem.

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.

]]>1584false130fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/part-one-navigating-corruption-and-degradations-in-afghanistan-w-kevin-ofchus--52585005In this episode, Michael speaks with Kevin Ofchus - a former Supervisory Special Agent with the U.S. DEA and is now CEO of Host Nation Perspectives of SouthWest Asia, as well as Associate Fellow at Narrative Strategies. His projects have covered a wide range of areas focused on countering Afghan insurgency and violent extremism via intelligence and counter-intelligence, threat finance, counter-terrorism, rule of law initiatives, and post-conflict stabilization. This is the first part of a two-part series with Kevin.
This episode focuses on how he got into this field and the importance of building strong tribal affiliations in order to create an environment that supports the rule of law. We also discuss the international community's approach to separating drug trafficking as a law enforcement initiative and insurgency as another, and the potential implications of this decision. We delve into the challenges of managing the situation in Afghanistan, including issues of corruption, lack of clean water, and the current relationship between Afghanistan and the Taliban. Lastly, we examine the US embassy's role in the Afghan stabilization program and explore the concept of ghost soldiers.
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.

]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52585005Tue, 31 Jan 2023 05:00:02 +0000RigakuIn this episode, Michael speaks with Kevin Ofchus - a former Supervisory Special Agent with the U.S. DEA and is now CEO of Host Nation Perspectives of SouthWest Asia, as well as Associate Fellow at Narrative Strategies. His projects have covered a...In this episode, Michael speaks with Kevin Ofchus - a former Supervisory Special Agent with the U.S. DEA and is now CEO of Host Nation Perspectives of SouthWest Asia, as well as Associate Fellow at Narrative Strategies. His projects have covered a wide range of areas focused on countering Afghan insurgency and violent extremism via intelligence and counter-intelligence, threat finance, counter-terrorism, rule of law initiatives, and post-conflict stabilization. This is the first part of a two-part series with Kevin.
This episode focuses on how he got into this field and the importance of building strong tribal affiliations in order to create an environment that supports the rule of law. We also discuss the international community's approach to separating drug trafficking as a law enforcement initiative and insurgency as another, and the potential implications of this decision. We delve into the challenges of managing the situation in Afghanistan, including issues of corruption, lack of clean water, and the current relationship between Afghanistan and the Taliban. Lastly, we examine the US embassy's role in the Afghan stabilization program and explore the concept of ghost soldiers.
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.

]]>4244false129fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/breaking-the-cycle-preventing-drug-abuse-in-the-next-generation--52402601In this episode, we delve into how drug abuse disproportionately affects young people in America. We discuss the devastating consequences of drug addiction, and how it can ruin lives and destroy families. We also explore the role that schools can play in preventing drug abuse and promoting a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.
We speak with Rockwell “Rocky” Herron, Drug Abuse Prevention Ambassador and former DEA Agent. Since 2007, Rocky has delivered more than 700 presentations To over 140,000 students in schools around the world focusing on cultivating awareness in our youth about the current drug threat. In this conversation, Rocky focuses on:

• His experiences working at the DEA
• Strategies he uses to get through to at-risk youth about drug abuse
• The pivotal role a family unit and community play in the effective prevention of drug abuse in adolescents

Join us as we strive to raise awareness about this critical issue and work towards solutions to keep our children safe and healthy.
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. ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52402601Mon, 23 Jan 2023 05:00:01 +0000RigakuIn this episode, we delve into how drug abuse disproportionately affects young people in America. We discuss the devastating consequences of drug addiction, and how it can ruin lives and destroy families. We also explore the role that schools can play...In this episode, we delve into how drug abuse disproportionately affects young people in America. We discuss the devastating consequences of drug addiction, and how it can ruin lives and destroy families. We also explore the role that schools can play in preventing drug abuse and promoting a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.
We speak with Rockwell “Rocky” Herron, Drug Abuse Prevention Ambassador and former DEA Agent. Since 2007, Rocky has delivered more than 700 presentations To over 140,000 students in schools around the world focusing on cultivating awareness in our youth about the current drug threat. In this conversation, Rocky focuses on:

• His experiences working at the DEA
• Strategies he uses to get through to at-risk youth about drug abuse
• The pivotal role a family unit and community play in the effective prevention of drug abuse in adolescents

Join us as we strive to raise awareness about this critical issue and work towards solutions to keep our children safe and healthy.
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. ]]>2981false128fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/discussing-the-effectiveness-of-dialectical-behavior-therapy-dbt-on-individuals-with-addiction-and-substance-dependence--52247287As the debate around harm reduction continues, it is important to remember that there are mental health strategies those suffering from substance dependencies can use with the help of a professional.
In this episode, Michael speaks with Shaudi Adel, Clinical Director at Centered Mind Therapy. The mission at Centered Mind Therapy is to connect clients with a provider that will help them discover healing and build a balanced life. Check out more about the program here: https://centeredmindtherapy.com/


This episode covers:

• A Breakdown of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
• How Harm Reduction Programs Influence the Treatment of those with addiction
• Can A Harm-Reduction Approach Work Effectively when Paired with Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)?

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. ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52247287Tue, 17 Jan 2023 05:00:02 +0000RigakuAs the debate around harm reduction continues, it is important to remember that there are mental health strategies those suffering from substance dependencies can use with the help of a professional. In this episode, Michael speaks with Shaudi Adel,...As the debate around harm reduction continues, it is important to remember that there are mental health strategies those suffering from substance dependencies can use with the help of a professional.
In this episode, Michael speaks with Shaudi Adel, Clinical Director at Centered Mind Therapy. The mission at Centered Mind Therapy is to connect clients with a provider that will help them discover healing and build a balanced life. Check out more about the program here: https://centeredmindtherapy.com/


This episode covers:

• A Breakdown of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
• How Harm Reduction Programs Influence the Treatment of those with addiction
• Can A Harm-Reduction Approach Work Effectively when Paired with Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)?

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. ]]>2511false27fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-realities-of-decriminalization-is-it-a-double-edged-sword--52166489
He is also the founder of second chance, a nonprofit human services agency that assists economically disadvantaged individuals and families, transforming their lives to become self-sufficient and contributing members of society.

This episode covers

Scott’s story with substance abuse
How and why he wrote his book: The Opioid Epidemic
How Decriminalization can have unforeseen ramifications
How the Opioid Epidemic has changed since he published his book

Get Scott’s Book Here: https://www.amazon.com/Opioid-Epidemic-What-Destroy-Family/dp/1736745603

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.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52166489Mon, 09 Jan 2023 19:00:02 +0000RigakuIn this episode, we are joined by Scott Silverman. Scott was was once a substance abuser near suicide. He has since turned his life around to become a crisis coach and family navigator, helping at risk individuals also turn their lives around. He is...
He is also the founder of second chance, a nonprofit human services agency that assists economically disadvantaged individuals and families, transforming their lives to become self-sufficient and contributing members of society.

This episode covers

Scott’s story with substance abuse
How and why he wrote his book: The Opioid Epidemic
How Decriminalization can have unforeseen ramifications
How the Opioid Epidemic has changed since he published his book

Get Scott’s Book Here: https://www.amazon.com/Opioid-Epidemic-What-Destroy-Family/dp/1736745603

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.]]>3454false26fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/normalizing-drug-use-the-future-of-legalization-and-re-defining-rehab-through-harm-reduction--52342197Today’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 career
• The difference between rehabilitation and harm reduction?
• How mental health relates to potential substance abuse behaviors

Barbara’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. ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52342197Tue, 03 Jan 2023 14:12:39 +0000RigakuToday’s guest is https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-jacobs-fistanic-lcsw-a146682/, Clinical Director of the Outpatient Program at http://www.harmonyplace.com. She has been part of the co-occurring mental health and addiction treatment fields since...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 career
• The difference between rehabilitation and harm reduction?
• How mental health relates to potential substance abuse behaviors

Barbara’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. ]]>3957false25fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-conversation-with-congressman-seth-moulton-about-the-988-suicide-and-crisis-lifeline-and-better-efforts-to-degrade-fentanyl-in-the-us--52229342In 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 Bill
• How the state can hold big pharma accountable
• How to enforce the border and deter the influx of fentanyl and its precursor chemicals

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. ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52229342Tue, 03 Jan 2023 05:00:02 +0000RigakuIn 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...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 Bill
• How the state can hold big pharma accountable
• How to enforce the border and deter the influx of fentanyl and its precursor chemicals

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. ]]>1335false24fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-discussion-about-the-future-of-pharmaceutical-psychedelics-for-the-treatment-of-mental-health--52166524
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.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52166524Tue, 27 Dec 2022 05:00:02 +0000RigakuAs 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...
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.]]>3501false23fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/how-real-time-drug-checking-programs-can-help-save-lives--52111194Drug Checking - why it matters
The technology that changed Ashley’s drug checking program
The 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/1000582108619
Reach out to Ashley here: ashley@highlevelhealthsolutions.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 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.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52111194Tue, 13 Dec 2022 05:00:02 +0000RigakuThis 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...Drug Checking - why it matters
The technology that changed Ashley’s drug checking program
The 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/1000582108619
Reach out to Ashley here: ashley@highlevelhealthsolutions.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 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.]]>2630false22fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/breaking-down-the-debate-around-safe-injection-sites--52122285
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 safely
The Legal vs. Ethical issue of safe injection sites - do they violate the "crack house statute of The Controlled Substances Act

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=page


Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for The Opioid Matrix in your favorite podcast player.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52122285Wed, 07 Dec 2022 17:18:54 +0000RigakuWith 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...
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 safely
The Legal vs. Ethical issue of safe injection sites - do they violate the "crack house statute of The Controlled Substances Act

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=page


Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for The Opioid Matrix in your favorite podcast player.]]>2218false21fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/what-is-the-off-ramp-for-a-harm-reduction-strategy--51976529This episode covers:
The research and rationale behind harm reduction strategies
The long terms effectiveness of safe injection sites
The 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.]]>c0c1b77c-d0dc-403a-9d0b-d3d86bccb378Tue, 22 Nov 2022 05:00:00 +0000RigakuIn 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....This episode covers:
The research and rationale behind harm reduction strategies
The long terms effectiveness of safe injection sites
The 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.]]>2831false20fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-evolution-of-narco-cartels-into-narco-insurgencies--51904952In this episode of the Opioid Matrix, Michael and Jen talk about:
The Rise of the Super Cartels
If there is a difference between Cartels and Insurgency Groups
What 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=page
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for The Opioid Matrix in your favorite podcast player.]]>58dd5d03-e471-40d4-98e3-117fc5b35028Tue, 08 Nov 2022 05:00:00 +0000RigakuBy 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...In this episode of the Opioid Matrix, Michael and Jen talk about:
The Rise of the Super Cartels
If there is a difference between Cartels and Insurgency Groups
What 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=page
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for The Opioid Matrix in your favorite podcast player.]]>2197false19fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/an-open-user-s-journey-to-reform-drug-policy-in-tennessee--51904956In 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 recovery
The stigma against being an open user fighting actively to change drug policy
Peer 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.]]>46e86bf5-5950-418b-badb-353705855799Mon, 17 Oct 2022 05:00:00 +0000RigakuToday’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...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 recovery
The stigma against being an open user fighting actively to change drug policy
Peer 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.]]>4027false18fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/how-harm-reduction-strategies-serve-as-an-effective-safety-net-w-maggie-seldeen-founder-director-of-high-rockies-harm-reduction--51904951In 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.]]>6a632f17-4cae-4a60-bd57-e99056b37c8aMon, 10 Oct 2022 05:00:00 +0000RigakuRegardless 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...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.]]>2844false17fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/how-the-largest-fentanyl-seizure-in-australian-history-could-spark-a-fentanyl-production-war-between-the-mexican-cartels-and-chinese-triads--51904966Join 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.]]>70191594-ffab-483e-9fc1-bce7eda4c80bMon, 03 Oct 2022 05:00:00 +0000RigakuAbout 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...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.]]>1744false16fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/why-first-time-substance-users-are-at-a-higher-risk-of-death-than-ever-before--51904967After 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.]]>dbfcea2a-5324-4c47-93a1-ea1087c96577Mon, 26 Sep 2022 05:00:00 +0000RigakuIn 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...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.]]>4049false14fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/retired-dea-special-agent-steve-murphy-on-the-opioid-crisis-china-s-100-year-plan-and-the-ever-changing-nature-of-the-war-on-drugs--51904957Steve 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.]]>8d7914ea-601a-4cb0-ae98-1950b8ae42d4Mon, 19 Sep 2022 05:00:00 +0000RigakuIn 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...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.]]>4759false13fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/battling-increasing-addiction-rates-in-african-american-communities--51904953Disparities 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.]]>2990f5a3-cc0c-419a-a9a9-dd3c8120f38dMon, 05 Sep 2022 05:00:00 +0000RigakuWe’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...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.]]>1701false12fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-breakdown-of-different-u-s-state-bills-and-their-consequences--51904947Michael 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.]]>f7866034-2130-4da3-8f4e-c6a822bd136dMon, 22 Aug 2022 05:00:00 +0000RigakuAs 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...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.]]>1904false11fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/communities-for-recovery-w-phil-owen-founder-of-austin-area-opioid-workgroup-peer-recovery-coach-coordinator-at-communities-for-recovery--51904948In 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.]]>83170246-327a-4da5-a874-a3f3e733319aTue, 02 Aug 2022 05:00:00 +0000RigakuThe 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...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.]]>2233false10fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/generational-cycles-of-drug-trafficking-how-we-can-fix-it-w-bradly-johnson-of-build-inc-chicago--51904949In 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.]]>b25a112c-8a8a-412a-a709-97e200db37a8Tue, 26 Jul 2022 05:00:00 +0000RigakuWhat 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...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.]]>2313false9fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/taking-a-hard-look-at-the-u-s-national-drug-control-strategy--51904954How 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.]]>8d473ca2-77d8-4bd1-b4d6-4025422f01b5Tue, 19 Jul 2022 05:00:00 +0000RigakuThe 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...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.]]>1985false8fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/how-fentanyl-changed-the-paradigm-by-deceiving-a-new-customer-base--51904962They 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.]]>b24bebf2-b4f1-4386-b087-ec929a201c4fTue, 12 Jul 2022 05:00:00 +0000RigakuDo 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...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.]]>4081false7fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/discussing-the-increased-threat-posed-by-trans-national-criminal-organizations-in-pakistan-and-afghanistan--51904965In 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.]]>b2e1dabd-f7d3-4d63-add0-2a2193607a68Tue, 05 Jul 2022 05:00:00 +0000RigakuWhy 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...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.]]>2038false6fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-role-of-the-taliban-in-the-international-drug-trade--51904959In 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.]]>9f0f35a2-a547-42dd-a937-9dd35a175df0Tue, 28 Jun 2022 05:00:00 +0000RigakuWelcome 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...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.]]>1541false5fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/finding-the-weak-links-how-to-target-cartel-capabilities--51904961In 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.]]>efcd5041-45e1-4ff7-80db-22e8ec2cf919Tue, 21 Jun 2022 05:00:00 +0000RigakuWelcome 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...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.]]>1482false4fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/fruit-of-the-poisonous-tree-origins-of-the-fentanyl-problem--51904963In 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.]]>219d9420-e37a-415b-b27b-f53356d190f3Tue, 14 Jun 2022 05:00:00 +0000RigakuWelcome 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...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.]]>1289false3fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-international-drug-war-breaking-down-the-fentanyl-supply-chain--51904955In 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.]]>fb7c846b-c365-4752-99d3-e4c5ea861f46Tue, 07 Jun 2022 05:00:00 +0000RigakuWelcome 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...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.]]>1875false2fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-u-s-domestic-drug-war-is-this-battle-a-lost-cause--51904960In 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.]]>3ac4bc2c-c42d-40f7-a983-28eb7e879d09Tue, 31 May 2022 05:00:00 +0000RigakuWelcome 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...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.]]>1352false1fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/has-the-war-on-drugs-been-a-failure--51904958Hear 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.]]>367453e4-cb80-417f-8995-e03eadb08d5bThu, 19 May 2022 15:16:01 +0000RigakuIn 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...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.]]>485falsetrailer