To anyone out there with a loved one who’s struggling, don't ever give up compassion because it's not a moral failing; your loved one simply doesn’t know how to handle what’s going on in their life. In this powerful and inspiring episode, https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-cull-6558828a/?originalSubdomain=ca dives deep into the challenges of addressing substance abuse, the impact of the opioid crisis in Canada, and the crucial role of authentic and relatable communication in prevention efforts. Chris, a former opioid user turned inspirational figure, shares his journey throughout addiction and recovery that ultimately led to his journey across Canada. His story of resilience offers hope in the fight against addiction. Tune in for an insightful discussion on tackling addiction and the resilience that arises from difficult experiences. Join us as we discuss: - Chris's story, highlighting his successful transition away from drug use - Addressing substance abuse among youth - The opioid crisis in Canada: overprescribing, drug diversion, and the involvement of cartels - The significance of advocacy, collaboration, and hope in addressing addiction, drug abuse and mental health Tap https://linktr.ee/inspirebyexample for all links pertaining to Chris Cull, his story, and the meaningful work he’s doing today. 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.

Fentanyl is the bullet, but it's the Mexican cartels that are pointing the gun at our children and pulling the trigger. In today's episode, we are honored to have https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaime-ignacio-puerta-gonzalez-81a271267/, President of https://stopthevoid.org/ "Victims Of Illicit Drugs" and Co-Chair of https://facingfentanylnow.org/, joining us to shed light on the far-reaching impact of Fentanyl and the legislative and societal challenges that have hindered efforts to combat this deadly substance. Jaime, a US Marine Corps veteran, shares his personal journey and the heart-wrenching loss of his son, Daniel, to Fentanyl poisoning on April 6, 2020. As he delves into his advocacy work and the mission of V.O.I.D., we gain valuable insights into the deceitful tactics of drug cartels, the need for legislative reform, and the urgent call for awareness and collaboration on a global scale. Join us as we discuss: - Social media and its disturbing trends in Fentanyl distribution - How Proposition 47 and 57 are impacting law enforcement and public safety in California - Impact of harm reduction groups in addressing the Fentanyl crisis - The role that schools and educational institutions can play in raising awareness about Fentanyl and preventing its distribution among young people Additional Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJgPmrLjkuo 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.

Our guest, https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-burkett-086442157/, had everything stacked against her. Even when navigating an unstable upbringing and childhood trauma, she knew at a young age helping children in her position is something she wanted to do. This desire stuck with her through years of substance use, mental health issues, crime, and eventually incarceration. Now as a single mother who recently suffered from a stroke, she is still driven by that childhood passion, achieving her Master’s degree in Social Work, and beginning her own non-profit, "https://unlikelyjourneys.org/" geared toward youth and parents. Danielle has made it her purpose to plant seeds of compassion, love, non-judgment, and gratitude in the lives of youth through her initiative. Join us as we discuss: - The power of having a clear mind and being able to voice repressed trauma - The importance of teaching crucial aspects in schools that might be overlooked at home - The practice of gratitude and its transformative power - The concept of having a "peer coach" and its pivotal role in personal development 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.

Without International partnerships and cooperation, we’re not going to win this battle. In this episode, we delve into the complex and harrowing world of Mexican cartel and crime along the U.S. southern border, featuring a discussion with https://www.linkedin.com/in/l-d-larry-villalobos-748bb710/, a seasoned DEA analyst who has worked with the State Department in Mexico, the US military, DHS components, and a local university. Our guest shares eye-opening insights about the impact of drug legalization, the shifting dynamics of drug cartels, and the urgent need for international cooperation to combat the fentanyl precursor chemical supply chain. Join us as we discuss: - Differences on opposing sides of the border - The negative effects of drug legalization, including the societal impact of the crisis - Foreign partnerships in combating drug trafficking - Pushing back on progressive dreams 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.

Exploring the intricate web of trauma's influence, addiction's grasp, and the erosion of genuine connections, this episode unearths the need for holistic healing, emotional empowerment, and a renewed focus on nurturing our youth's mental well-being. https://www.linkedin.com/in/gina-tabrizy-09031b9/, our latest guest, is an inspirational keynote speaker, https://www.amazon.com/Healing-Love-Story-Reimagining-Trauma/dp/1458334953, radio host of https://therecoveryshow.com/, and a trauma/addiction expert. She is currently Chief Clinical Liaison at https://www.acadiahealthcare.com/locations/sierra-by-the-sea/, an adult residential treatment facility. Gina has a zest for providing excellent clinical care with a high success rate. Join us as we discuss: - The connection between trauma and addiction, particularly prevalent in affluent neighborhoods where electronic devices replace genuine family connections - The effectiveness of harm reduction strategies and the normalization of drug use, particularly with the legalization of marijuana. - The power of holistic approaches that combine psychological, emotional, and spiritual healing 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's okay to not feel okay. On today’s episode, we welcome back https://www.linkedin.com/in/geri-lynn-utter-psyd-9384423/, a Clinical Psychologist and the https://drgerilynnutter.com/writing/ of Mainlining Philly: Survival, Hope and Resisting Drug Addiction, as well as Aftershock: How Past Events Shake up Your Life Today. Dr. Utter specializes in individuals struggling with substance use disorders and other psychiatric illnesses. Her experiences, dating back to childhood, provide unique insight into the nature of addiction and have given her the tools to offer solutions to those addicted, as well as those who love them. Join us as we discuss: - The importance of acknowledging and seeking help for mental health issues, even in response to normal life challenges - Addiction: genetics vs. environment - Utilizing anger as motivation to rise up - The evolution of the drug market and the need for accurate education on the dangers - The psychology of addiction Additional Link: https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/utter-nonsense/umc.cmc.4ci7r9t351wp6b9vm83nxny05 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.

DEA seizures reveal a chilling reality — 60% of the pills taken off the streets pack a lethal dose of fentanyl. Our special guest, https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjwardfl/, a man of faith and a visionary in the fight against substance use disorder, shares his powerful insights and experiences. We discuss the role of faith in recovery, the importance of addressing mental health alongside addiction, and the need for collaboration and outreach to vulnerable communities. We explore the impact of substance use disorder on individuals, families, and society as a whole, while also discussing potential solutions, such as education, policy change, and innovative treatment approaches. Join us as we discuss: - What parents need to know regarding the alarming rise of teen drug addiction - Progressive drug policies in US cities - Differences in opinions on the bipartisan issue - Ripple effect of substance use on family dynamics - Importance of faith in recovery from addiction Relevant links:http://anythingbutobvious.com/;http://projectopioidnfl.org/ 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.

Weapons are hitting the streets and killing Americans. They're fueling cartel and domestic drug trafficking violence. We have layers of complex problems that are all surrounded by policy decisions, which seem to be enabling criminal activity. Today on the show, https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-j-forcelli-26597122/, retired Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) executive and author of https://www.amazon.com/Deadly-Path-Operation-Furious-Lawyers/dp/B0CCMMQKCQ, sheds light on the world of firearms trafficking. We explore the stark reality of crime-ridden parks in New York City housing projects, where children live in fear and are locked inside their homes for safety. But it doesn't end there. Peter takes us to the heart of the matter — the prosecution, or lack thereof, of gun crimes. We uncover the startling truth behind ATF Operation Fast and Furious, a whistleblower's account that reveals a pattern of allowing firearms to flow into Mexico, leading to a staggering number of guns in the wrong hands. And as we discuss the impact of this operation and its consequences, we also touch on the current crisis of fentanyl and the arming of Mexican cartels with US military spec weapons. This episode will leave you questioning the state of our justice system and the policies that guide it. Join us as we discuss: - The scale, implications and consequences of Operation Fast and Furious, ultimately fueling the fire of gun violence - The opioid crisis in conjunction with cartel activities; turning internally to address the fentanyl situation - The Broken Windows theory and the regression in policy of prosecuting low-level crimes - Lack of utilization of parks in NYC housing projects due to crime and safety concerns Pete Forcelli’s Personal Website: https://www.peterjforcelli.com/ His book The Deadly Path: How Operation Fast & Furious and Bad Lawyers Armed Mexican Cartelsreleases on March 5th, 2024. 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.

1 in 3 runaways that are out on the streets will be solicited by a sex buyer, or engaged with a trafficker. In this revealing conversation, our guest https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidi-chance-86868334/ shares her powerful transition from a routine patrol officer to an undercover detective focused on combating sex trafficking. Heidi sheds light on the face-to-face encounters she’s had with vulnerable juveniles as well as their captors, and the heart-wrenching stories that led her to take action. You'll hear about the challenges of working with limited resources in a high-demand field, as she paints a vivid picture of the complexities and dangers involved in her work. Heidi’s passion for mitigating this crisis has led to the conception of https://www.achanceforawareness.com/, a program that offers law enforcement training, as well as community sex trafficking awareness via her coaching, training and presentations. Join us as we discuss: - The pivotal role of technology, including the dark web and social media, in perpetuating the problem - The evolving dynamics of sex trafficking, including the disturbing trend of younger victims, both boys and girls - The tactics used by traffickers to control their victims, including substance addiction, and the interconnection between the opioid crisis and sex trafficking - Heidi’s mission: dedicated to raising awareness about sex trafficking and educating law enforcement officers on how to tackle these investigations effectively - The significance of community involvement, reporting, and Good Samaritan laws in combating sex trafficking 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.

Suboxone will protect an individual from a fentanyl overdose, but the one thing that will keep them in recovery is love. Today on the show we’re joined by https://www.linkedin.com/in/schuyler-k-geller-4341658/, who has an extensive background in international teaching, patient care, and health care leadership. Previously a Medication Assisted Recovery Physician, and currently a Hospitalist for the https://www.va.gov/, his humanitarian spirit shines bright in this episode. Together we delve into the need for comprehensive approaches, including medication-assisted treatment and harm reduction strategies, to save lives and support recovery. Dr. Geller highlights the importance of understanding addiction as a chronic relapsing brain disease and emphasizes the significance of immediate intervention and treatment due to the high risk of relapse and mortality associated with opioid use. Join us as we discuss: - Addiction as a chronic relapsing brain disease vs. deviant criminal behavior - How physical and emotional abuse impacts the growing brain, and can ultimately lead to substance addiction — all beginning in the womb - The critical role of buprenorphine in medication-assisted treatment - The need to combat the stigma associated with harm reduction approaches - Resilience as the key to reducing opioid 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.