In "One Pill Can Kill", hosts Jodie Sweetin and Amy McCarthy are joined by two distinguished guests who shed light on the perilous world of fake pills and fentanyl. Rich Lucey, a senior prevention program manager in the Drug Enforcement Administration's Community Outreach and Prevention Support Section, brings invaluable expertise in drug misuse prevention and education. Joe Bozenko, a Senior Research Chemist at DEA's Special Testing and Research Laboratory, is a global authority in investigating synthetic drug manufacturing.

Rich and Joe delve into the chilling potency of fentanyl and its profit-driven motivations, emphasizing the challenges in distinguishing these dangerous pills, even for professionals. They highlight the shift toward obtaining pills through social media, revealing the dire need for awareness and action.

The episode also tackles how parents can initiate critical conversations with their children about this looming danger, emphasizing the importance of information over scare tactics. Real-life stories underscore the gravity of the situation, while strategies for parental protection and community-based solutions are explored. Throughout the episode, Joe and Rich's expertise guides the discussion, providing essential insights into this pressing issue.

Key Takeaways:

• The "One Pill Can Kill" campaign underscores the dangers of fake pills.

• Fentanyl and fake pills are explained, highlighting the hidden perils within fake medications.

• Identifying fake pills is a significant challenge due to their visual similarity to genuine ones.

• Illicit labs play a role in producing dangerous pills, requiring rigorous quality control efforts.

• The motivations behind adding harmful substances to pills are driven by demand and profit.

• Online prescriptions can be risky, and their easy access through telehealth and social media is concerning.

• Parents are encouraged to engage in meaningful, fact-based conversations with their children about these dangers.

Jodie Sweetin is an actress, author, and advocate, best known for her role as Stephanie Tanner on the iconic sitcom "Full House" and its sequel "Fuller House". In 2009 she penned her memoir, "unSweetined", which chronicles her journey through addiction and into recovery. With her frank and open approach, Jodie has emerged as a compelling speaker and advocate who now seeks to use her platform and experiences to educate others and reduce the stigma associated with addiction and recovery. @jodiesweetin

Amy McCarthy, LICSW, is a Director of Clinical Social Work at Boston Children's Hospital's Division of Addiction Medicine. She has been working in the Adolescent Substance Use and Addiction Program since 2019. @amymccarthylicsw

Rich Lucey is a senior prevention program manager in the Drug Enforcement Administration's Community Outreach and Prevention Support Section. Rich plans and executes educational and public information programs, evaluates program goals and outcomes, and serves as an advisor to the Section Chief and other DEA officials on drug misuse prevention and education programs. Rich formerly served as special assistant to the director for the federal Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, and worked as an education program specialist in the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools.

Joe Bozenko is a Senior Research Chemist with the DEA's Special Testing and Research Laboratory at Dulles, Virginia and a Scientific Advisor to DEA's Special Operations Division. He's been with the DEA for 23+ years and investigates synthetic drug manufacturing around the world. Mr. Bozenko has processed some of the largest methamphetamine laboratories in the world, traveled extensively, and has authored and presented many reports and peer-reviewed scientific articles pertaining to the clandestine synthesis and analysis of controlled substances. Mr. Bozenko is closely involved with science-related officer safety and leads DEA's handheld instrumentation testing and evaluation. In addition to this, Mr. Bozenko has also been instrumental in the development of the DEA's High-Hazard Level 'A' Clandestine Laboratory Response Training Program. Mr. Bozenko is also charged with the specialized analysis of selected fentanyl, methamphetamine, and MDMA samples, both domestic and international, for intelligence purposes. Mr. Bozenko holds both Baccalaureate and Master's Degrees in Chemistry and is an Adjunct Professor of Chemistry at Shepherd University. Mr. Bozenko also holds a patent, jointly with Harvard University, on the Archimedes Magnetic Levitation System. Mr. Bozenko has been featured on television, periodicals and in Sam Quinones' new book The Least of Us: True Stories of American and Hope in the Times of Fentanyl and Meth.

Elks: As a 150-year-old organization, they are 100% inclusive with a membership of close to 1 million diverse men and women in over 2,000 Lodges nationally, and while they consider themselves faith based, they are nondenominational and open to all creeds. The Elks have always prided themselves on civic duty, and the Elks Drug and Alcohol Prevention (DAP) program is the nation's largest all volunteer Kids Drug & Alcohol Use Prevention program. The Elks are also strong supporters of our brave men and women in the military, having built and donated the nation's first VA Hospital to the U.S. government. The Elks have donated more than $3.6 billion in cash, goods, and services to enrich the lives of millions of people!

DEA: The United States Drug Enforcement Administration was created in 1973 by President Nixon after the government noticed an alarming rise in recreational drug use and drug-related crime. A division of the Department of Justice, DEA enforces controlled substances laws by apprehending offenders to be prosecuted for criminal and civil crimes. DEA is the largest and most effective antidrug organization in the world, with 241 domestic locations in 23 field divisions and 93 international field divisions in 69 countries.

Resources/Links

SAMHSA | Help and Treatment

Get Smart About Drugs

Growing Up Drug Free: A Parent's Guide to Substance Use Prevention

One Pill Could Kill

DEA Website

DEA on Instagram

DEA on Twitter

DEA on Facebook

DEA YouTube Channel

Elks Kid Zone Website

Elks Drug Awareness Program Website

Elks DAP on Twitter

Elks DAP on Facebook

Elks DAP on YouTube

Jodie Sweetin's Links

Jodie's Instagram

Jodie's TikTok

Amy McCarthy's Links

Amy's Instagram

Boston Children's Hospital Instagram

Boston Children's Hospital Addiction Medicine