Hey PJ/Search Engine Team, loved the episode, I found it really compassionate and informative. I'm a social worker who just completed a year-long qualitative thesis interviewing people who use fentanyl about what their use looks like, what their engagement with social services is, and what their goals are/what they need to achieve those goals. So I was especially engaged and really look forward to next week/the extra interview if you release it.
Thanks for these two episodes on fentanyl. My sister just died from a fentanyl OD and I found these an informative and thoughtful way of understanding what she may have been going through. It's a mind-boggling problem.
I'm so sorry about your sister Lisa. I can't even begin to imagine.
The only book I've ever read while grieving that felt useful was The Year of Magical Thinking, by Joan Didion. But it is a country without a map in my limited experience. I'm sorry that that's where you are. Thinking of you and of her.
Another great episode. Great work. Love to support you. I know it is a pipe dream but would love to have Alex join every once in a while for a yes yes no segment or something similar. I have been a fan of you guys since TLDR and love your banter and chemistry.
Cheers to you for more good work now and in the future!
"Isn't it bad business to kill your own customers?"
I think business can kill quite a few customers before anyone even starts to notice. Tobacco, Oil, Big Pharma, Military arms providers... the list is kind of long.
As far as drug dealers go, I kind of wonder if the dude that sells pot, or coke, or whatever on the streets is more of a threat to public health than Big Pharma. Even if you add up all the street dealers, and the trouble and expense they cause, I think Big Pharma has them beat both ways to Sunday.
So one thing that PJ touched on in the second episode is the fact that dealers are mixing stuff in so that you feel that extra special something. And they're experimenting with what that might be. Benzo's can stretch the legs of fentanyl, and/or make it feel that way.
I LOVED the analogy of chef's putting lots of salt (butter, garlic, etc) in their food and we're all thinking "how come my food at home never tastes this good". Somewhere out there right now there's a drug dealer writing their version of Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential and we're all going to learn so much from it!
So excited that you’re covering this topic! I do want to say, in the interest of reducing stigma on substance use/misuse in journalism, I would recommend avoiding using the word “addict”. Much like mental health and other health conditions, it’s important to use person-centered terms for folks who experience addiction, or who engage in drug use. “Persons with use disorders” or “people who use drugs/people in active use” are much less stigmatizing alternatives.
Indeed. Not just that but most folks who use don't actually meet the definition of someone with substance use disorder, so it's just not accurate. Just like everyone who drinks alcohol isn't an "alcoholic", everyone who uses fent isn't an addict.
But a great episode, I don't want to detract from the importance of people paying attention (hello This American Life...) but appreciate you pointing out the missed opportunity to use less stigmatising and more accurate language.
Yes! Same with “junkie,” which I heard at least once in today’s episode. Further, the AP style manual proscribes the use of “addict” and instead supports “person with a substance use disorder” or “person who uses drugs.”
Great episode! I checked out DrugsData.org and was shocked to see a disproportionately high number of entries from MA (my home state) and I can’t figure out why. Seems like a good question for Search Engine to investigate? Love the pod!
I would love to hear that interview that you mentioned. That sounds so fascinating!
Ditto.
+1
Hey PJ/Search Engine Team, loved the episode, I found it really compassionate and informative. I'm a social worker who just completed a year-long qualitative thesis interviewing people who use fentanyl about what their use looks like, what their engagement with social services is, and what their goals are/what they need to achieve those goals. So I was especially engaged and really look forward to next week/the extra interview if you release it.
I loved this episode. So exciting to see you broaden your curiousity beyond tech into some really interesting and thought provoking questions.
Such a good episode, P.J. - can't wait for next week!
Thanks for these two episodes on fentanyl. My sister just died from a fentanyl OD and I found these an informative and thoughtful way of understanding what she may have been going through. It's a mind-boggling problem.
I'm so sorry about your sister Lisa. I can't even begin to imagine.
The only book I've ever read while grieving that felt useful was The Year of Magical Thinking, by Joan Didion. But it is a country without a map in my limited experience. I'm sorry that that's where you are. Thinking of you and of her.
Another great episode. Great work. Love to support you. I know it is a pipe dream but would love to have Alex join every once in a while for a yes yes no segment or something similar. I have been a fan of you guys since TLDR and love your banter and chemistry.
Cheers to you for more good work now and in the future!
"Isn't it bad business to kill your own customers?"
I think business can kill quite a few customers before anyone even starts to notice. Tobacco, Oil, Big Pharma, Military arms providers... the list is kind of long.
As far as drug dealers go, I kind of wonder if the dude that sells pot, or coke, or whatever on the streets is more of a threat to public health than Big Pharma. Even if you add up all the street dealers, and the trouble and expense they cause, I think Big Pharma has them beat both ways to Sunday.
{shrugs}
great episode
where i live, benzos are now more and intertwined with supply and causing so much harm. i have the same question ... why?!?
So one thing that PJ touched on in the second episode is the fact that dealers are mixing stuff in so that you feel that extra special something. And they're experimenting with what that might be. Benzo's can stretch the legs of fentanyl, and/or make it feel that way.
I LOVED the analogy of chef's putting lots of salt (butter, garlic, etc) in their food and we're all thinking "how come my food at home never tastes this good". Somewhere out there right now there's a drug dealer writing their version of Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential and we're all going to learn so much from it!
So excited that you’re covering this topic! I do want to say, in the interest of reducing stigma on substance use/misuse in journalism, I would recommend avoiding using the word “addict”. Much like mental health and other health conditions, it’s important to use person-centered terms for folks who experience addiction, or who engage in drug use. “Persons with use disorders” or “people who use drugs/people in active use” are much less stigmatizing alternatives.
(https://www.reportingonaddiction.org/journalist-landing)
Indeed. Not just that but most folks who use don't actually meet the definition of someone with substance use disorder, so it's just not accurate. Just like everyone who drinks alcohol isn't an "alcoholic", everyone who uses fent isn't an addict.
But a great episode, I don't want to detract from the importance of people paying attention (hello This American Life...) but appreciate you pointing out the missed opportunity to use less stigmatising and more accurate language.
Yes! Same with “junkie,” which I heard at least once in today’s episode. Further, the AP style manual proscribes the use of “addict” and instead supports “person with a substance use disorder” or “person who uses drugs.”
def share the interview please!
Agree with Allie - so glad you are covering this and found it an insightful listen; and I echo the importance of terminology. Sharing another resource, from the Global Commission on Drug Policy http://www.globalcommissionondrugs.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/GCDP-Report-2017_Perceptions-ENGLISH.pdf
What is the mellow, uplifting song at the end?
I believe it’s an Armen Bazarian composition. You can find him on instagram at @bazarian
Great episode! I checked out DrugsData.org and was shocked to see a disproportionately high number of entries from MA (my home state) and I can’t figure out why. Seems like a good question for Search Engine to investigate? Love the pod!
I think that probably just represents that more people in Mass are sending drugs in to be tested!