According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drug overdose deaths have risen fivefold in the past two decades. What’s driving this crisis, and what can be done to alleviate it? Our hosts discuss the issue with Liz Chiarello, a sociologist who is finishing a book about how the dual US crises of pain and overdoses have transformed law enforcement and healthcare.

This episode was recorded on June 30, 2023.

Released on September 21, 2023.

Episode Transcript

Guest

Liz Chiarello, an associate professor of sociology at Saint Louis University, is a medical sociologist and sociolegal scholar whose research lies at the intersection of healthcare and law. During her fellowship year, Chiarello worked on a book about the US overdose and pain crises, using the overdose crisis as a case study in how medical providers make decisions about opioid provision—and in how these decisions affect patient care.

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Credits

Ivelisse Estrada is your cohost and the editorial lead at Harvard Radcliffe Institute (HRI), where she edits Radcliffe Magazine.

Alan Catello Grazioso is the executive producer of BornCurious and the senior multimedia manager at HRI.

Jeff Hayash is a freelance sound engineer and recordist.

Marcus Knoke is a multimedia intern at HRI, a Harvard College student, and the general manager of Harvard Radio Broadcasting.

Heather Min is your cohost and the senior manager of digital strategy at HRI.

Anna Soong is the production assistant at HRI.

Special thanks to Cabin 3 Media for their invaluable contributions to the editing of this podcast episode.