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In honor of the FREE showing of ‘How To Be A Respectable Junkie’ that takes place this coming Thursday, April 19th, we are re-releasing Episode 104 featuring Greg Vovos.

Greg is the playwright and director of HTBARJ and will be putting on the show at the Cuyahoga County Public Library (Parma Branch, 2121 Snow Road), you can register for the FREE showing here

Greg interviews Greg Vovos, a playwright and director who has worked in Cleveland theater since 1998. While Greg has written a myriad of plays, he’s also worked consistently for the Theatre of Healthy Living at the Fine Arts Association; crafting plays for high schools, detention centers, and youth prisons about issues like racism, teen pregnancy, obesity, and drug and alcohol abuse. His most recent play, titled “How to Be a Respectable Junkie,” at the Cuyahoga County Public Library in Parma, tells the story of Brian, a heroin addict set on taking his own life to spare everyone around him from his problems.

Listen to the podcast to discover how through his friendship, playwright Vovos was able to craft a play about the day-to-day realities of someone living with substance use disorder.

Greg interviews Dr. Nora Volkow, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) who has also been named one of Time Magazine’s “Top 100 People Who Shape Our World.” Focusing on the science of addiction and the effects it can have on the human brain, Dr. Volkow discusses how physically addiction can take hold of the person and how each person has a unique fight with addiction due to their genetic makeup. Some environments can have a direct impact on each situation. Whether you come from an extremely protective environment or an environment of neglect, these elements can have a direct effect on your battle with addiction.

Take a listen to discover more about the science and anatomy of addiction and how we as a community can support others through their battle.

The week of April 9th through the 13th, Summit County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board (ADM) recognizes the first responders. These are the individuals on the frontlines of the opioid epidemic, and the first responders who witness the effects of the crisis firsthand. Greg McNeil sat down with Jerry Craig, Executive Director of the ADM Board, and with Barberton Police Chief, Vince Morber. The panel discussed the role of the quick response teams (QRTs) and how they took off, especially in Summit County.

The QRTs partnered with the Fire Department to assist overdose victims and added another aspect to their plan by following-up. Chief Morber stated that, “You show up at a time that is a non-crisis situation, and [by doing so] you bring a message of caring.” People are more receptive to treatment when they see genuine concern and how these quick response teams come back multiple times after an overdose visit. It shows that these first responders are truly here to help and offer support.

In the past two years, safety forces have responded to 4,700 overdoses within the community. This was an open door to deploy the quick response teams. In 2017, ten jurisdictions with QRTs made 2,986 post overdose visits to try and offer help to the victims. The community is encouraged to share messages and get involved in showing appreciation for those fighting the epidemic so selflessly and courageously.

Listen to the podcast here and learn more about First Responders Appreciation Week.

Greg sat down with New York Times best-selling author David Sheff to discuss the devastating effects the opioid epidemic has had on families. Sheff has also been named one Time Magazine’s “Top 100 Most Influential People,” and is no stranger to the opioid crisis. His award-winning books “Clean: Overcoming Addiction and Ending America's Greatest Tragedy” and the memoir “Beautiful Boy: A Father's Journey Through His Son's Addiction” have made their literary mark and “Beautiful Boy” also won Barnes and Noble’s “Discover Great New Writers Award.

During the podcast, Sheff discussed the stigma that unfortunately society has placed on those that are fighting addiction. He reminded listeners that the opioid crisis is an actual epidemic in that people are battling a disease. It is not only a mental battle, but a battle against genetics and environmental influence. This is not an internal fight, nor should those that battle addiction, fight with shame or secrecy.

The hard facts are most programs don’t have the medical resources to fight the epidemic. Sheff stated, “In many programs, a person can go into treatment and they never, ever see a doctor.” It is a shocking realization that someone fighting a disease often goes without medical attention. Almost everyone ends up in a program that may not be fully equipped to help them.

The two discussed treatment methods and how the plans need to be as unique as each individual, as everyone is fighting their own battle in various ways.

Listen to today’s podcast for more great ways Sheff and McNeil discuss treatment options and resources for those taking on addiction.

Welcome to the 5th and final episode in our five-part podcast series on the Showtime program “The TRADE,” a docu-series providing a front row seat to the opioid epidemic through the eyes of those most affected.

We invite you to Binge, Listen and Share this series to make a difference in the opioid epidemic.

First: Binge on all 5 episodes of The TRADE available for free at Cover2.org.

Next: Listen to the podcasts with back stories from each episode and related programs that are making a difference in the opioid epidemic.

And: Share with those you know, to make a difference in the opioid epidemic.

In this final episode in our series on The TRADE we revisit the Franklin County Sheriff's Department to talk about investigating drug dealers and the HOPE task force. Next, we’ll hear about Quick Response Teams and why they work so well to get people into treatment from Dan Meloy, one of the originators of QRT teams. Later we’ll revisit Jen Walton from Atlanta to get an update on Skyler’s story and Richard Confer in Dayton to hear more on Brittany’s success.

We close our series with a song from emerging Country Music CMA Award winning artist Shane Runion and his hit song about compassion, forgiveness and recovery. It’s called “Tattoos”.

This is the fourth episode of our five-part series on the Showtime original program “The TRADE,” a docu-series providing a front row seat to the opioid epidemic through the eyes of those most affected: the growers and cartel bosses, addicts and their families and law enforcement. In this episode, once again veteran documentary producer Pagan Harleman, who serves as executive producer of The TRADE, offers her insights and the backstories behind episode 4.

Following the introduction to today’s episode from Pagan, we hear from Recovery Coach, John Stuckey, who provides insight and analysis on the role of a recovery coach. Later, we talk with Barb, Andrew’s aunt about her role in connecting Andrew with drug court. Next, we talk with Judge Tom Teodosio about Andrew’s participation in the Turning Point drug court. We conclude this episode once again with remarks from Pagan Harleman.

Listen as Greg explores the stories behind episode 4 of The TRADE and profiles people, places and things making a difference in the opioid epidemic.

This is the third episode of our five-part series on the Showtime original program “The TRADE,” a docu-series providing a front row seat to the opioid epidemic through the eyes of those most affected: the growers and cartel bosses, addicts and their families and law enforcement. In this episode, once again veteran documentary producer Pagan Harleman, who serves as executive producer of The TRADE, offers her insights and the backstories behind episode 3.

Following the introduction to today’s episode from Pagan, we hear from Family Coach, Robin Star, who provides insight and analysis of the family dynamics that play out in episode 3 between John, an addict in Atlanta who we meet in this episode and his sister and father. Later, we’re introduced to the nation’s first opioid court by Judge Craig Hannah from Buffalo New York. We conclude this episode with US Senator Rob Portman who offers hope for stopping the flow of illicit drugs into our country.

Listen as Greg explores the stories behind episode 3 of The TRADE and profiles people, places and things making a difference in the opioid epidemic.

This is the second podcast in a five-part series on the Showtime original program “The TRADE,” a docu-series that provides a front row seat to the grim realities of the opioid epidemic through the eyes of those most affected: the growers and cartel bosses, addicts and their families and law enforcement. Each podcast features an introduction by veteran documentary producer Pagan Harleman who serves as Executive Producer of The TRADE and offers backstories for each episode. She is followed by interviews with subject matter experts on issues related to each TRADE episode.

In this episode, Pagan shares additional insight into the back story behind the drug cartels in Guererro, Mexico, the primary location for shooting conversations with growers. Next, Greg speaks with Brian Bailys, founder of Ascent, who together with Dr. Joan Papp from Cleveland MetroHealth, created a program to fast track overdose victims from the E.D. into treatment. Next, Greg interviews Judge Tony Capizzi, who runs a family court that is reclaiming futures for parents with opioid dependence in Dayton, Ohio. We close out this episode with Richard, who founded a successful treatment center in Dayton, Ohio when he could not find a program to help his daughter recover.

Listen as Greg explores these emotional stories that cover a wide stretch of territory on the opioid epidemic battleground.

Greg interviews emerging CMA award winning artist, Shane Runion. Shane talks about growing up in Portsmouth, Ohio and the journey from 8th grade history teacher to a Country Music Award winning artist in little more than two years.

Shane helped his struggling community go after a multi-million dollar grant by recording a music video for his song, “I’m Proud of Where I’m From,” about small-town U.S.A. and the people that make up the city known for southern hospitality. The goal was to simply boost local morale, but the video quickly went viral. That break gave Runion the opportunity to take a chance he had only yet dared to dream.

Shane also details the back story behind his favorite work: “Tattoos”. Next, Shane shares the story of how doing a concert for the Drug Free Clubs of America (DFCA) in Ross County turned into a tour with concerts at Drug Free Clubs in 38 school districts.

Listen as Shane shares his incredible, improbable rise to award winning country music artist and enjoy his latest hit “Tattoos” on episode #168 of the Cover2 PPT podcast series.

This is the first episode in a five-part series on the Showtime original program “The TRADE,” a docu-series providing a front row seat to the grim realities of the opioid epidemic through the eyes of those most affected: the growers and cartel bosses, addicts and their families and law enforcement. Each podcast features an introduction by veteran documentary producer Pagan Harleman who serves as executive producer of The TRADE and offers backstories for each episode. She is followed by interviews with subject matter experts on issues related to each TRADE episode.

Listen as Greg explores these emotional stories that cover a wide stretch of territory on the opioid epidemic battleground.