Today’s guest has founded a unique harm reduction center. In fact, what makes it unique is that it is the only openly drug user run syringe exchange in Tennessee.
In this episode, Jen and Michael are joined by Daniel Patrick Garret, Founding Director of Tennessee Harm Reduction. THR is a community based organization operating at the intersection of Public Health, Drug User Advocacy and Drug Policy Reform.
Join us as we discuss:
Daniel’s journey through and perspective on non-abstinence based drug recovery
The stigma against being an open user fighting actively to change drug policy
Peer recovery and Addiction Services 


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Regardless of how many deterrent drug policies are put into place, some pills and substances always find their way through. In those cases, federal policies can only go so far. It’s time to take a deeper look at harm reduction strategies.
In this episode, Michael and Jen are joined by Maggie Seldeen, Founder & Director of High Rockies Harm Reduction.
In this episode they explore:
A clear definition of Harm Reduction Strategies
How Harm Reduction Strategies serve as a “Final Safety Net” when Drugs do get through the Border
Establishing cause and effect is tricky – What caused increased Drug Usage in Colorado since 2019Was it decriminalization labor shortages or something else completely?

How rebuilding grassroot community initiatives may help solve the increased dependence on substances pervading the country  


Explore High Rockies Harm Reduction Here: https://highrockiesharmreduction.com/
Check Out Maggie’s Podcast here: https://plinkhq.com/i/1521755732?to=page
To make sure you never miss an episode of The Opioid Matrix, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the website, or your favorite podcast player.
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About a month ago, Australian Police busted the largest shipment of Fentanyl in the country’s history. Michael and Jen jump on the mic to discuss the implications of this bust and what this could mean in the larger geopolitical context.
Join us as we discuss:
The larger implications of this bust – Could this start a Fentanyl War?
The upcoming Fentanyl production war between Chinese Triads and Mexican Cartels
How this ties into Michael’s DEA experience in Asia 


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

In this episode, Michael Speaks with Jeff Johnston,  Founder of The Living Undeterred Project.
After losing his oldest son, Seth, to fentanyl poisoning in 2016, and later his wife, Prudence, to alcoholism in 2021, Jeff has dedicated his life to making a difference in the mental health and substance abuse space (source).
Join us as we discuss:
The purpose and impact of the Live Undeterred Tour
How a co-strategy approach that includes both harm reduction and overdose prevention can be effective
The importance of Harm Reduction and preventative Strategies when combating Synthetic Opioid Use
Why First time Drug users are at higher risk of death than ever before 


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In this episode we are honored to be joined by Retired DEA Special Agent Steve Murphy.
Steve Murphy is a retired DEA Special Agent involved in the successful manhunt for narcotics kingpin Pablo Escobar, and his story formed part of the backbone for the Netflix series Narcos. Mr. Murphy began his law enforcement career in his home state of West Virginia. In the mid 1980s he joined the DEA and was assigned to Miami, Florida, home to an exploding cocaine trade. In 1991 Mr. Murphy was transferred to Bogota, Colombia to track down the Escobar Cocaine Cartel (source).
Join us as we discuss:
How has the war on drugs changed since his time in Colombia?
The Role China has Played in the Production and Manufacturing of Synthetic Opioids
How state supported injection sites are changing the conceptions of Drug use in America
The Failure of the Portugal Model
The Importance of Diplomatic Engagement when it comes to solving the Opioid Crisis 


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.

We’re seeing an alarming and rapid increase in the rates of opioid addiction and overdoses in African American communities across the country.
Disparities in prescription procedures, improper pain management strategies, the pandemic, the defunding of dedicated task forces — these factors are all contributing to this growing problem.
Michael Brown, the Global Director of Counter-Narcotics Interdiction Partnerships at Rigaku Analytical Devices and one of our expert co-hosts, breaks down the elemental reasons for this rise, and what we can do to stop it.
Join us as we discuss:
Addressing inequalities in specific communities such as lack of access to treatment centers and economic opportunities
Investing in and rebuilding areas afflicted with drug-related violence
Eliminating trafficking routes
Instituting harm-reduction programs and rebuilding community infrastructure   


To make sure you never miss an episode of The Opioid Matrix, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the website, or your favorite podcast player.
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As the Opioid Crisis continues to ravage the country, what is being done to solve the prevalence of these drugs in our communities? Today, we breakdown how different states are tackling handling opioid use and how these strategies can lead to various consequences in terms of the future of drug use in America and how drug use is prosecuted.
Michael and Jen Speak About:
The Decriminalization Strategy – A Path to Harm Reduction
The Increased Importance of successfully arresting Central Cartel-Based Distributors
Oregon’s Bill 110 and California’s Bill 119: What they did well and what they didn’t
The reality of Portugal’s Drug Policies
How decriminalization policies are Negatively Affecting the DEA’s Community Level Intelligence Gathering Initiatives


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The war on drugs was a misdriven effort to stop addiction, but in decades past, the nation has shifted to focus on harm reduction and education.
In this episode, Phil Owen, founder of Austin Area Opioid Workgroup and Peer Recovery Coach Coordinator at Communities for Recovery shares his experience with addiction and how he has dedicated decades to stopping the distribution of and potential harm of narcotics within at-risk communities.
Join us as we discuss:
Opioid Supply and Demand
Current routes for harm reduction
The social side of addiction


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.

What are the key factors that cause Generational cycles of Drug Trafficking? How can City-Based-Communities fight against this cycle? And how can we bridge the political, law enforcement and funding gap that allows a majority of these problems to prevade?
In today’s episode, Jen and Michael speak with Bradly Johnson, Chief Community Officer at BUILD Inc. Chicago.
They discuss:
The Mission of Build Inc. Chicago
How has the view on the War on Drugs and Drug-Related crimes affected Chicago’s Youth since the 90’s?
The Generational Cycle of Drug Trafficking
How to Address Concentrated Poverty in Cities


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.

The current government approach to drug control is mainly focused on harm reduction. While these efforts are commendable, they often fall short because of the large number of agencies involved.
How should the current National Drug Control Policy switch strategies to boost its effectiveness in preventing fentanyl-related deaths?
In this Episode, Michael and Jen talk about:
The Current Administration’s National Drug Control Policy
Michael’s Experience as a DEA Subject Matter Expert for the US Council on Transnational Organized Crime
Whether the strategy be effective when there are so many groups involved
Why the strategy must prioritize disrupting the supply chain


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.