Susan Salomone is the cofounder and Executive Director of Drug Crisis In Our Backyard, which was founded after the tragic loss of her son, Justin, to a heroin overdose. Susan was born and raised in New York State. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Education, Masters Degree in Counseling, and Masters Degree in Supervision at esteemed New York State universities. She has recently received her credential as a Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC). Susan was appointed to Governor Cuomo’s Heroin Task Force, is a member of the New York State Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Insurance and Provider Workgroup, and she has also received the Senate 2015 Award for Woman of Distinction. Susan is currently a family coach working individually and leading support groups for families struggling with the effects of addiction. 

Today Susan joins Brett to discuss her son, Justin’s past with addiction, and founding her organization after his tragic overdose in 2012. She talks about risk factors for addiction, increased awareness of the opioid crisis over the past decade, and how the pandemic has led to more overdose deaths. Susan breaks down her criticism of the McKinsey Opioid Settlement in New York State, and Brett asks whether advocates have perhaps gone too far and are preventing people who are really in pain from accessing the relief they need. Susan explains why she is against the legalization of recreational marijuana and dispensaries, but a proponent for the decriminalization of marijuana. And she tells Brett about embracing the support of family, friends, and other like-minded organizations to push through tragedy and help others who are suffering from addiction.

Episode Highlights:

• Her son, Justin’s past with drug addiction and his heroin overdose
• Early lack of understanding around how addictive opioids were
• Heroin education, treatment, and recovery
• Reasons people may be prone to addiction, including genetic factors, the age you start using drugs, and level of family support
• How she would have done things differently to help Justin, knowing what she knows now about addiction
• Increased awareness of the opioid crisis and Susan’s brave decision to write about her family’s experience
• How COVID has led to more overdose deaths due to treatment center closures, increased isolation, and not being able to assess people’s condition in person
• Susan’s criticism of the McKinsey Opioid Settlement in New York State
• Brett’s experience processing applications for Oxycontin as a data entry clerk at 18 years old, and mistakenly believing he was helping people in need
• Some people are truly in pain and need medication
• Doctors need to be diligent in their education and understanding about addiction
• Susan’s stance against legalizing recreational marijuana
• However, she believes marijuana should be decriminalized
• Dr. Kevin Sabet and his books, Reefer Sanity and Smokescreen - he is against legalization of recreational marijuana and believes the tobacco industry is behind this movement
• Concerns about opting out of local dispensaries fueling the black market
• Having emotional support from family and friends to push through tragedy
• Embracing other organizations who raise drug addiction awareness

Quotes:

“I would say that 90% of people on the planet didn't understand how addictive these drugs were, the opiods, Percocet, Vicodin. And they were being prescribed like candy. If you had a backache,...