Approximately one year ago, we interviewed Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi on the podcast and she spoke about action she was taking from her "hat" on the opioid epidemic. Last week, she filed suit against Walgreens, CVS and various pharmaceutical companies for their part in helping to create and prolong this epidemic. We wanted to replay our interview with her as it's timely.

Beating the drum once again for getting help BEFORE the holidays - addiction does NOT take a holiday. Also the Florida Attorney General - Pam Bondi - has filed a lawsuit against two of the major pharmacies and several drug companies who are responsible for a large part of the opioid epidemic. Go Pam!

A few weeks ago we interviewed Michael DeLeon.  Michael is a former addict, former felon and since leaving prison for the last time he has dedicated his life to educating youth and inmates about drugs and the consequences.  His story is one of the most harrowing stories we've featured on the podcast.  He happened to be in Florida so we invited him into the studio to update us on what he's been up to.  Once again, the holidays are upon us.  If you know of someone who needs help, do it now.  Do something now.  Don't wait until after the holidays.

July 5th, 1992 and Lillo Brancato is a young man on Jones Beach.  He is seen by a casting agent and ends up being cast in "A Bronx Tale" as Robert DeNiro's son.  After being introduced to marijuana on set by a fellow cast member, he began experimenting with more and more drugs to become a heroin addict.  Now, after spending 8 years in prison for robbery which resulted in the wrongful death of a police officer, he is sober and is warning youth and others about the dangers of addiction.  From the height of success to the depth of disaster, this story is riveting.

Since Jason is traveling, we are posting today a previous interview of Derek.  We interviewed Derek very near the beginning of the podcast and this interview really brought home the reason we are doing this podcast.  We want to offer help and hope to our listeners.  Addiction is a horrible situation but there is hope.  But you must get yourself or your loved one into treatment and you need to do it now.  Derek's interview is very near and dear to our hearts.  We wish you a happy and sober Thanksgiving.

This is Emily's story and that of her mom - Linda.  Emily is a recent Narconon graduate.  She started on drugs at 12 or 13 - drinking and smoking marijuana.  She gradually moved onto heroin.  She went to two different rehabs but neither of them got to the root of her deep seated issues for which drugs became a solution.  Her mother was familiar with the concept of sauna detox so when Narconon was brought to her attention, she knew that this was going to be the rehab that would work.  Emily is now clean and is a different person. Linda has her daughter back and Emily has herself back.

This episode is an interview with two of the producers of a new feature-length documentary by Award-winning Editor Mary Sue Connolly.  The film is an 80-minute documentary set in the small town of Petersburg, West Virginia, a rural community tragically impacted by the opioid epidemic in our country.  Why West Virginia?  Because West Virginia was specifically targeted by pharmaceutical companies as a dumping ground of pain pills.  Hard to believe? Not so much.

Even those in the medical field are susceptible to addiction.  You might think that because they are more educated in the effects of drugs on the body that this would not be the case but today's episode is the story of a nurse who became addicted to Fentanyl and lost everything.  She's regained what she lost and more and has been sober for more than 10 years.  Her name is Kris Waite Labott and she wrote about her addiction in her book "An Unlikely Addict" available on Amazon or at www.unlikelyaddict.com. 

Recently Canada legalized recreational marijuana countrywide.  This is really such a bad idea.  States in the US have legalized marijuana because they think they will make money, yet the states where it has been legalized are making less than 1% or their total budget from the taxes on the sale of recreational marijuana.  If you then add in the law enforcement and medical costs of people becoming addicted to marijuana, the math doesn't work.

Kathy Dion has worked inside the addiction arena for more than 20 years.  She's worked with addicts and rehab facilities.  She is a certified specialist in addiction.  In her book - After Rehab - A Simple Guide to Aid in Lasting Sobriety - she gives 10 simple tips on how to help maintain sobriety and live a happy life.