When “talking to someone” online feels safer than talking to a real person, what could go wrong? Steven MacDonald, Executive Director from Safer Schools Together, and Tall Cop Jermaine Galloway explore how kids’ search for connection in digital spaces can expose them to manipulation, misinformation, and risk. Learn how AI chatbots, chatrooms, and social platforms can create false trust, and what adults can do to stay informed, vigilant, and proactive in a tech-driven world.

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Save the Date for the 5th Annual Tall Cop Emerging Drug Trends Conference on 11/12-13/2026!

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In this episode, we dive into why relying solely on bulletins and reports isn’t enough when it comes to tracking drug trends in our communities. By the time those bulletins hit your desk, you’re already behind. The real intelligence lies in getting out into the community and scanning local stores, gas stations, vape shops, and malls. From asking clerks about the most popular products to understanding what works well with alcohol or what's considered "strong" or "cheap," this episode provides the tools to gather the real-time insights that keep you ahead of the curve. Learn how to identify what's really trending in your area—whether it’s a new substance or an emerging product—and why smoke shops and kiosks are becoming the new frontlines in the battle against substance misuse. Get ready to hit the streets and stay ahead of the trends that matter most.

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Don't forget to register for the 4th Annual Tall Cop Emerging Drug Trends Conference coming up next month!

Check us out here: https://safeandsound.swoogo.com/the-tall-cop-emerging-drug-trends-conference/agenda

Register here: https://emergingdrugtrends.regfox.com/2025-national-emerging-drug-trends-conference-

Once clearly defined spaces, liquor stores and vape shops are rapidly evolving into full-blown hybrid smoke shops. In this episode, we dive into the shifting landscape of retail drug culture — where gas stations, vape shops, and even liquor stores are now selling everything from nicotine and Delta-8 to powdered THC and kratom. If you've ever wondered whether that new logo in the corner store meant more than energy drinks — it probably does.

The Tall Cop breaks down:

• What vape shops used to be — and what they've turned into
  

• How disposables, pods, and stash items have reshaped youth access
  

• The growing presence of cannabis in places you'd least expect (yes, even next to the vodka)
  

• Why the lines between alcohol, nicotine, and cannabis retail are blurring fast
  

• What this trend means for public health, regulation, and access — especially among youth

  
  

  ****Don't forget about our 4th Annual Emerging Drug Trends conference coming up in Dallas in November!! Register now for the early bird rate!

One of today’s most requested topics is the rise of Feel Free—a small blue bottle making a big impact. Marketed as a dietary supplement, it combines kava root and kratom, raising major concerns about addiction, legality, and youth access. In this episode, Tall Cop unpacks the data and explains why this mix is risky, and explores the role of social media in driving its popularity. With no age restrictions, addictive potential, and misleading marketing, this is a trend parents, educators, and communities can’t afford to ignore.

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Don't forget to register for the 4th Annual Tall Cop Emerging Drug Trends Conference coming up in November!

Check us out here: https://safeandsound.swoogo.com/the-tall-cop-emerging-drug-trends-conference/agenda

Register here: https://emergingdrugtrends.regfox.com/2025-national-emerging-drug-trends-conference-

In this episode, Tall Cop breaks down the Tall Cop Trifecta of Drugs—ease of access, low price point, and flavored products—and what that means for students today. From $1 edibles to $3 vapes and kratom under $5, the affordability and concealability of these substances are changing the game inside schools.

We’ll cover:

• The most common substances showing up in schools: alcohol, cannabis, vapes, edibles, kratom, 7-hydroxy, and more

• Why fewer devices are being found—and how students are getting better at hiding them

• The rise of pouches and why metal detectors miss them

• New concerns with mushrooms, flavored pills, and over-the-counter cannabis products

• Policy shifts on the horizon for vaping and substance use in schools

• Why prevention requires looking at the bigger picture—accessibility, affordability, and unintended consequences, especially with addiction

Plus, hear Tall Cop’s take on Narcan in schools, flavored products, and even what a “summer breeze” really means.

🎙️ Real talk, practical insights, and a look at what’s coming next.

In this episode, the Tall Cop breaks down the rise of 7-hydroxy (7-OH), a powerful and dangerous derivative of kratom that has quickly become a national drug trend. He shares how he first identified it in communities long before the FDA’s warning, explains why it’s more potent than kratom, and highlights the growing risks as it appears in smoke shops across the country.

Why are we selling flavored drugs? If your doctor offered you mango or strawberry-flavored opioids, you’d be outraged—so why do we allow candy-flavored vapes, mushrooms, and other substances to be marketed to kids? In this episode, Jermaine Galloway, the Tall Cop, takes a hard look at the growing trend of flavored drugs, their impact on youth addiction, and why banning one substance while leaving similar ones on the shelves does little to curb the problem. Are our drug bans actually effective, or just good headlines? Tune in for an unfiltered discussion on how street-level drug culture adapts—and what we can do about it.

The vape industry is pedal to the metal, racing to keep up with tech trends and capture young users’ attention. In this episode, Tall Cop breaks down the latest innovations, from video game vapes with 20,000 puffs to smartwatch-style vapes that take selfies and check the weather. With boost modes, customizable flavors, and a growing presence in rural and metro areas, the industry is accelerating its grip on addiction. Tune in as we uncover how these high-tech devices are pushing boundaries and targeting the next generation.