What’s Missing From the Overdose Crisis Conversation
a passionate but friendly debate about drug policy with someone who got sober
In our new episode, I talk with writer James T. Morrison about his experience with substance use disorder, housing instability, and the criminal justice system. Listen here.
James first started abusing drugs as a young teenager, when he was put on anti-anxiety medication and immediately started taking more than was prescribed. He’s had many interventions over the years, including 12-step programs, sober living environments, and hospital stays for mental crises and after an overdose, as he wrote about in an essay for Slate.
Now James takes suboxone along with prescribed psychiatric medication. He and I talk about how he wishes he could update the public debate about addiction and illegal substance use.
Over the years, we’ve done many episodes about addiction, substance use, and recovery on Death, Sex & Money, including last week with our episode with San Francisco Mayor London Breed.
Here are some other episodes I found myself thinking back on as we put together this episode:
I also want to recommend a few more listens that have changed and updated my thinking about drug policy:
This Is A Very Weird Moment in the History of Drug Laws — a conversation from The Ezra Klein Show in May where I learned a lot of things and had my assumptions about the drug policy and recovery debate scrambled.
The Call — from my Slate colleagues Mary Harris at What Next and This American Life, a profile of a hotline people can call when they’re using alone, to try to get them the emergency care they need if they overdose.
Why Are Drug Dealers Putting Fentanyl In Everything (Part 1 and Part 2) — On the podcast Search Engine, PJ Vogt goes deep on the economic puzzle of why dealers might be poisoning their customers. I also really liked this (paywalled) interview with a cocaine dealer about how he tries to keep his supply safe.
As I write, I’m also thinking about Demon Copperhead, a novel I read last summer on a backcountry pack trip. I’m about to take off again for a few days in the unconnected woods with my family. I won’t miss the news, but I will miss your voice memos about the surprises you’ve discovered during perimenopause and menopause. You can keep sending them in while I’m away to deathsexmoney@slate.com.
Until next week,
Anna
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So glad you had this convo! I did notice you seemed a little less empathetic towards him than some of your other guests. I wondered about that and whether maybe that’s a result of your experience parenting in an area with a lot of drug use? I’d love to hear more.