Illicit fentanyl has transformed the U.S. drug crisis into a national emergency that affects all ages, incomes, and communities. Despite the staggering toll. Where is the policy change?

In this episode, we sit down with award-winning journalist and filmmaker Steffan Tubbs to uncover the harrowing truths behind America’s fentanyl epidemic, as seen in his documentary Devastated: Colorado’s Fentanyl Disaster. He examines the intersection of decriminalization policies, cartel operations, and societal complacency that have allowed this crisis to grow unchecked, and calls us to take action to tackle the crisis.

Listeners will learn:

• Why fentanyl deaths continue to rise in states like Colorado despite national trends leveling off.
• How cartels exploit America’s addiction crisis and the policy gaps that enable them.
• Why parents, policymakers, and the media need to start having real, uncomfortable conversations.
• What solutions could help reverse the trajectory of this crisis.

In the heart of America’s fentanyl crisis, one county is doing what many thought impossible—bringing overdose rates down. 

In this episode we are joined by Commander Tom Fallon, of Hamilton County’s Heroin Task Force, to discuss how local law enforcement, through strategic partnerships and innovative community outreach, has succeeded in reducing fentanyl overdoses in the county.  Commander Fallon also reveals that the real war is fought far from the public eye—with mothers who’ve lost their children, communities on the brink, and doctors who unknowingly set the stage for addiction.

We also discuss:

• How community-centric policing builds trust to drive effective intervention in Hamilton County’s fentanyl crisis.
• Why tackling the Dark Web’s role in trafficking is vital as cartels use digital channels to spread fentanyl, pushing law enforcement to adapt.
• The importance of Narcan access and addiction education in saving lives and reshaping public attitudes on addiction.
• The impact of a new generation of officers blending empathy with enforcement for sustainable change in communities.

Each person who struggles with drug addiction has a unique story. And regardless of how they got there, they are all humans and deserve to be treated with empathy. 

In this episode, we are joined by Dennis Lowe, Commander of the South Central Ohio Major Crimes Unit, who has spent 40 years in law enforcement and is leading a unique model of community-driven policing. Commander Lowe and Michael Brown discuss the challenges associated with transitioning towards a more empathetic law enforcement approach, without abandoning strict measures, and building trust around state’s institutions. 

We also discuss: 

• How the FORT Project helps reduce recidivism and foster long-term recovery by addressing the root causes of substance use.
• Why a balanced approach of empathy and enforcement can create lasting change in communities facing drug crises.
• The role of cultural sensitivity education in police officers to engage diverse communities affected by the opioid crisis.

Cartel operations go far beyond drugs—they are entrenched in the internal economies of countries, exercising control across multiple industries. 

In this episode, we are joined by Chris Dalby, Director of World of Crime and author of World of Crime Guides to Organized Crime, to explore the scope of the cartel networks. Chris shares all things about the Jalisco Cartel New Generation (CJNG), revealing this syndicate’s brutality, extortion tactics, and control over fentanyl and meth production globally. We discuss why traditional law enforcement strategies aren't working, and how the flow of precursor chemicals from China plays a pivotal role in fentanyl production. 

Listeners will learn:

• How the CJNG cartel became one of Mexico’s most violent and flexible criminal organizations, and why they pose a unique threat.
• The role of precursor chemicals from China, why seizures at the border aren’t enough, and how the cartel adapts to crackdowns.
• What can be done to tackle the cartel threat, from addressing money laundering to targeting the global supply chain of precursor chemicals.

To make sure you never miss an episode of The Opioid Matrix, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the website, or your favorite podcast player. 

Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for The Opioid Matrix in your favorite podcast player.

In today’s episode, we are once again joined by Margarito "Jay" Flores, Jr., a former distributor for the Sinaloa Cartel, for part two of our series inside one of the most notorious criminal organizations in the world.

Michael and Jay pick up the conversation right where they left off, delving deeper into the challenges of dismantling these criminal networks and examining the strategies in the war against drugs. They also talk about how Jay’s approach to the US government set a precedent of collaboration to put cartels down. 

You can learn more about Jay’s background and work by going to his websites https://kingpintoeducator.com/ and https://dynamicpolicetraining.com/. 

To make sure you never miss an episode of The Opioid Matrix, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the website, or your favorite podcast player.

Listening on a desktop and can’t see the links? Just search for The Opioid Matrix in your favorite podcast player.

Money is the engine of drug trafficking. Without it, organized crime would cease to exist.

Does this mean that efforts to end the drug crisis in America should focus more heavily on targeting money instead of drugs? Are there reasons why this hasn’t been the strategy in the past?

In this two-part series episode, we are joined by Margarito "Jay" Flores, Jr., who operated a distribution network for the Sinaloa cartel, as he pulls back the curtain on the financial empire of the world’s most notorious cartel, exposing the intricate web of drug trafficking and money laundering that fuels the opioid crisis and corrupts institutions and people both inside and outside of the United States. Michael and Jay explore the generational impact of drug trafficking on American cities and the challenges law enforcement faces in disrupting the flow of precursor chemicals essential for drug production.

Join us as we discuss:

• The supply chain systems behind smuggling vast amounts of cash and drugs across international borders and distributing them nationwide.
• The role of advanced technology in modern drug trafficking and money laundering
• The tactics used by the Sinaloa Cartel to avoid detection by law enforcement agencies.
• Personal stories of betrayal, survival, and redemption within the cartel world.

You can learn more about Jay’s background and work by going to his websites https://kingpintoeducator.com/ and https://dynamicpolicetraining.com/.

Stay tuned for Part 2. 

To make sure you never miss an episode of The Opioid Matrix, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the website, or your favorite podcast player. 

Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for The Opioid Matrix in your favorite podcast player.

Getting sober is often seen as the milestone of ending drug addiction, and many policies and projects are designed with this approach in mind.

However, without proper healthcare, supportive communities, and tools to stay sober, people often relapse into an endless cycle that continues to fuel the opioid crisis.

In this episode, we are joined by two unifying voices fighting the opioid crisis: Andrea Thomas, Founder and Executive Director of Voices for Awareness, and Michael Fiore, Founder of Inspire2Inspire, as well as the Director of Community Outreach at Voices for Awareness. Andrea and Michael share their deep bond that transcends their mission, and discuss their efforts to bring hope and practical solutions to those affected by fentanyl through prevention, education, and healthcare accessibility. They also discuss the importance of a unified legislative effort to address this critical issue, and how they are fighting for the future of the nation. 

Join us as we discuss:

• Overcoming addiction and transforming personal experiences into a message of hope
• Addressing the stigma surrounding drug use and addiction to drive empathetic, social transformations
• The importance of collaboration among various groups and organizations to achieve long-term solutions
• Upcoming initiatives for August 21 - National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day (check out Facing Fentanyl Now’s website for more details)

To make sure you never miss an episode of The Opioid Matrix, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the website, or your favorite podcast player. 

Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for The Opioid Matrix in your favorite podcast player. 

You can reach out to Andrea Thomas emailing her at [email protected], and follow Mike on Instagram @MikeFiore118.

No matter how much money is allocated to fight the opioid epidemic, if it’s not sustained by strong, systemic approaches and policies, the fight won’t succeed. 

In this episode, we are joined by a long-time guest of the show, Scott Silverman, CEO and Founder at Confidential Recovery, as he explores California's drug policies, the exploitation of legal marijuana by cartels, and the significant role of government in these crises. The author of The Opioid Epidemic: What You Don’t Know Will Destroy Your Family and Your Life, shares his thoughts on the need for better education, prevention strategies, and family support systems to fight drug addiction advocating for systemic approaches to end the opioid epidemic. 

Join us as we discuss:

• How the homelessness crisis in California is exponentially rising and it’s relation to the drug crisis
• The importance of strong family units and the impact of cultural and tribal thinking in community well-being, reducing the risk of drug abuse
• Why the US needs stringent criteria and accountability for both government leaders and social programs, advocating for better allocation of resources

To make sure you never miss an episode of The Opioid Matrix, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the website, or your favorite podcast player. 

Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for The Opioid Matrix in your favorite podcast player.

"How do prosecutors handle the evolving illicit drug market and how has it impacted our judicial system?"

As fentanyl-related deaths continue to rise nationwide, our legal system now faces a new paradigm in seeking justice for so many lives lost.

In this episode, we are joined by Paul Ostrow, Chairman of the Fentanyl Free Communities Policy Board. He and host Michael Brown delve into the urgent and complex opioid crisis affecting communities across the nation, with a focus on the Midwest. Paul, drawing on his prosecutorial experience and commitment to justice, community improvement, and policy-driven solutions, emphasizes the need to support law enforcement while advocating for systemic changes.

Join us as we discuss:

• The consequences of public drug policies and how that plays into an increase in criminal activity and court cases
• How the $200 million allocated budget is being used to combat substance abuse in Minnesota.
• Why fentanyl possession penalties need to be reassessed to be effective and prevent deaths.

To make sure you never miss an episode of The Opioid Matrix, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the website, or your favorite podcast player. 

Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for The Opioid Matrix in your favorite podcast player.

'It takes an entire country to protect the country.'

But when we're talking about deep and complex geopolitical dynamics, is a united country enough to tackle the illicit drug crisis our nation currently faces?

In this episode, we are honored to have Andrew Edelberg, Senior Trial Attorney at Aivazoglou & Mikropoulos - located in the Philadelphia area, share his extensive experience in the legal and law enforcement fields. Andrew addresses the systemic issues in mental health and substance abuse treatment and the harsh realities in cities like Philadelphia and San Diego, and he also exposes the deep-rooted challenges and corruption faced by the US, Mexican, and Chinese governments in combating the drug epidemic, and why it takes a worldwide effort to end the opioid crisis.

Join us as we discuss:

• The decrease in police presence, leading to increased violence and open-air drug markets, particularly in areas like Kensington.
• The increased crime and homelessness issues as a direct result of unchecked drug abuse and inadequate intervention measures.
• Different points of view around first-time offender programs, with some authorities preferring punitive measures over treatment.
• The challenges in prosecuting drug-related crimes due to trade and political partnerships between the US and Mexico.
• How the $50 billion opioid settlement is being used, raising concerns about transparency and proper allocation.

To make sure you never miss an episode of The Opioid Matrix, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the website, or your favorite podcast player. 

Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for The Opioid Matrix in your favorite podcast player.