The Opioid Matrix: A Journey Into the Rabbit Hole Rigaku

In today’s episode, Julie Waters, founder of the Jace Waters Foundation shares her journey of losing her son to addiction and the work she is doing to support others in the fight against opioid addiction. She discusses the importance of long-term recovery programs and the need for supportive communities. Julie goes into detail about the stigma surrounding substance use disorder and the need for open conversations and advocacy. She also highlights the role of parents in prevention, education and the challenges of modernization and technology on family dynamics. 

Join us as we discuss:
Exploring the unseen impact of addiction in small-town America.Julie Waters' heartfelt story of loss and her efforts to fight addiction through the Jace Waters Foundation.Insights into the rising danger of fentanyl and the complex journey toward recovery.

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 children represent the very future of society. However, without vigorously confronting the opioid crisis, how can we guarantee their protection?

In today’s episode, Javon Williams, Founder of the Lamont Meyers Foundation, bravely opens her heart about the heart-wrenching loss of her son to Fentanyl poisoning and the journey of resilience this has led her to. Javon highlights the danger of the lack of public awareness surrounding the opioid crisis and emphasizes why we need to speak out to bring the invisible enemy, and the network under which it operates, out of the shadows.

Join us as we discuss:
Challenges of parenting amidst societal pressure on drug abuse and consumptionThe urgent need for community education, awareness and collective action in combating the opioid crisisThe emotional trauma and ongoing struggle experienced by parents who have lost children to drugsWhy prescription pills can become a death threat nowadays
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.

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, Chris Cull 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 useAddressing substance abuse among youthThe opioid crisis in Canada: overprescribing, drug diversion, and the involvement of cartelsThe significance of advocacy, collaboration, and hope in addressing addiction, drug abuse and mental health
Tap here 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 Jaime Ignacio Puerto Gonzales, President of V.O.I.D "Victims Of Illicit Drugs" and Co-Chair of Facing Fentanyl Now, 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 distributionHow Proposition 47 and 57 are impacting law enforcement and public safety in CaliforniaImpact of harm reduction groups in addressing the Fentanyl crisisThe role that schools and educational institutions can play in raising awareness about Fentanyl and preventing its distribution among young peopleAdditional Link: Dead on Arrival Documentary

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, Danielle Burkett, 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, "Unlikely Journeys" 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 traumaThe importance of teaching crucial aspects in schools that might be overlooked at homeThe practice of gratitude and its transformative powerThe 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 Larry Villalobos, 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 borderThe negative effects of drug legalization, including the societal impact of the crisisForeign partnerships in combating drug traffickingPushing back on progressive dreamsTo 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.