Send us Fan Mail Summary: In this episode of the PIO podcast, Robert interviews Brian Townsend, a retired DEA agent and founder of Only2MG, a nonprofit focused on raising awareness about the fentanyl crisis. Brian shares his extensive experience in law enforcement and discusses the alarming rise of fentanyl-related deaths in the United States. He explains the historical context of how fentanyl became prevalent in the drug supply, its integration into other drugs, and the dangers it poses. The conversation emphasizes the need for community engagement, consistent messaging, and a holistic approach to tackling the crisis, including reducing stigma and addressing the root causes of addiction. Brian also highlights the role of organized crime in the fentanyl epidemic and the importance of collaboration between law enforcement and public health sectors to create effective solutions. Brian's Email Brian's Website Brian Townsend is a retired Supervisory Special Agent/Resident Agent in Charge with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Brian proudly served in law enforcement for 28 years; 5 years as a police officer in Joplin, Missouri, and 23 years with the DEA, where he held a variety of assignments with increasing responsibility. Within the DEA, Brian served in three different formal leadership roles, managing multiple people, programs, and resources. He worked in Corpus Christi, Texas, Little Rock, Arkansas, and Springfield, Missouri, to combat drug trafficking and reduce drug-related crime. In addition to serving in enforcement operations, Brian was assigned at the DEA Training Academy in Quantico, Virginia. There, Brian managed DEA’s specialized training unit and developed the leadership and development training unit. The leadership and development training unit still serves as the primary resource for leadership development throughout DEA and its extensive workforce of over 10,000 personnel. Currently, Brian serves as a Law Enforcement Training Coordinator for the Mid-States Organized Crime Information Center (MOCIC), a Regional Information Sharing System (RISS) Center supporting law enforcement in nine states (Kansas, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin). He is also the founder and principal of Eagle 6 Training, providing speaking, training, and consulting services to organizations worldwide. Brian’s training expertise extends far beyond drug-related topics. He is frequently invited to deliver training and presentations on a wide range of subjects, including leadership development, cryptocurrency investigations, and the dark web. Brian’s diverse training portfolio equips law enforcement and private organizations with the knowledge and skills needed to address both emerging digital threats and organizational challenges. Most recently, Brian launched Only 2mg Inc. 501(c)(3), where he leverages his extensive experience and knowledge in the field of opioids. Brian is regularly invited to speak to audiences throughout the United States about fentanyl, focusing on raising awareness andfostering a deeper understanding of the opioid epidemic and illicit fentanyl crisis. His insights shed light on the evolving drug landscape and its devastating impact. Additionally, Brian serves on the Board of Directors for the Drug Support the show Our premiere sponsor, Social News Desk, has an exclusive offer for PIO Podcast listeners. Head over to socialnewsdesk.com/pio to get three months free when a qualifying agency signs up.
