Cover2 Resources

In this episode of the Cover2 Resources podcast, Greg interviews Harriet Ryan, an investigative reporter at the Los Angeles Times who frequently writes about the opioid epidemic. On January 19, 2017, Harriet wrote an article about a recent lawsuit in the city of Everett—located just north of Seattle, Washington. The city was prompted to sue the drug producer Purdue Pharma after reviewing another article published by Ryan last year. Harriet says that her investigation found the roots of the issue: dirty physicians and pharmacies. She goes on to say why Purdue Pharma waited to disclose findings of these dirty physicians and pharmacies, rather than reporting them immediately. Listen to the podcast to hear how Everett plans to proceed with the case against this massive drug manufacturer.

In this episode of the Cover2 Resources podcast, Greg interviews Eric Eyre, a Journalist at Charleston Gazette-Mail. Eric reports on healthcare issues, including the current opioid epidemic sweeping across the nation and, more specifically, in West Virginia. Eric’s team analyzed opioid shipments in WV between 2007 and 2012. Through this deep research, they learned that wholesalers shipped enough opioids to supply every man, woman and child with 433 pills during that time period. Eric’s team also found that a disproportionate number of pain pills went to the poorest and most rural counties in West Virginia. In the podcast, he shares why the number was so disproportionate compared to less rural counties. Listen to the podcast for Eric’s highly-researched perspective on the opioid epidemic.

In this episode of the Cover2 Resources podcast, Greg interviews Lenny Bernstein, a journalist at The Washington Post. Recently, Lenny’s team spent a year investigating the rising death rate of rural white Americans. They found some startling evidence for why many rural Americans were falling victim to diseases of despair—alcoholism, suicide, and drug overdose. His team discovered that some distribution companies were giving rural pharmacies much more pills than they could possibly sell or store. Listen to the podcast to hear Lenny explain what the DEA did about the distribution companies and why the epidemic continues today.

Greg makes a return visit to the Cuyahoga County Needle Exchange truck to interview clients. You can listen to his other Cuyahoga County Needle Exchange podcasts here. Greg interviews three clients: Rick, Ray, and Danny. Each has a unique story of the increasingly isolated worlds of substance abuse in which they live. Listen to the podcast to hear Danny’s story and more about the lives of these three gentlemen.

In this episode of the Cover2 Resources PPT Podcast, Greg interviews Janis Beckett, the Director of Chemical Dependency Services at the Cleveland Clinic, Akron General Hospital and Edwin Shaw Rehabilitation Hospital. Janis decided to enter the field of Chemical Dependency after struggling with substance use disorder herself. Janis dispels some misconceptions about the early stages of treatment. “People in early recovery need to be around other healthy people in early recovery,” she says. Listen to the podcast to learn how you can help support a loved one who has entered early recovery.

In this episode of the Cover2 Resources PPT Podcast, Greg interviews Sarah Nerad. She is the Program Manager for the Ohio State University Collegiate Recovery Community in Columbus, Ohio, and the Director of Recovery for the Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Drug Misuse Prevention in Recovery. Sarah struggled with addiction herself at age 15, and she describes herself as in recovery. She credits her high school community in Houston, TX, for helping her enter recovery. “I never stopped receiving services, and that’s what made it so successful for me,” she says. Now Sarah is giving back. She has built an incredible recovery community at OSU for students struggling with substance abuse disorder. To hear how Sarah is fighting the opioid epidemic one life at a time, check out the episode here.

In this episode of the Cover2 Resources PPT Podcast, Greg interviews Jennifer Biddinger, the Director of Drug Abuse Outreach Initiatives for Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine. In her role, Jennifer helps Ohioans fight drugs in their communities. As a part of the heroin outreach program, her team goes into specific communities to create initiatives. Jennifer discusses how the team allocates resources in the face of the overwhelming epidemic. “We generally look for people who are in the worst shape,” she says. “Where is our time best utilized to save lives?” Listen to the episode to hear the incredible success stories of these grassroots initiatives.

In this episode of the Cover2 Resources PPT Podcast, Greg interviews community leaders, administrators and students at a recent rally for Drug Free Clubs of America (DFCA). Drug Free Clubs are high school and middle school clubs in which students agree to remain drug free and submit to random drug screenings throughout the year. In return, they receive perks like prizes and discount cards. Greg starts by interviewing Wayne Campbell, Founder of Tyler’s Light. Wayne has helped start 18 drug free clubs. He explains what happens to students’ work ethic as a result of their DFCA membership. “These students have pledged to be drug free and want to prove it,” he says. “Their attendance, grades, and test scores get better, while necessary disciplinary action declines.”

In this episode of the Cover2 Resources PPT Podcast, Greg talks to Angie Ferguson, Executive Director of Drug Free Clubs of America (DFCA). Angie discusses the origin of Drug Free Clubs of America. The idea started in 2005 when Angie’s father and his colleague told Angie that they had an idea for combatting drug abuse. As firefighters, they had witnessed a lack of heartfelt preventative efforts by others. What if a club existed that offered high school students incentives for passing drug tests? Angie says, “Instantly, I thought of my high school friends who struggled with substance use disorder…Something like [DFCA] could have worked for them.”

In this episode of the Cover2 Resources PPT Podcast, Greg interviews Sam Quinones, author of the best-selling book Dreamland. Sam found the title for his award-winning book when he investigated the origins of the opioid epidemic in Portsmouth, OH. The town used to have a gigantic swimming pool called Dreamland, where the whole community would come together to watch each other’s kids and socialize. The pool was eventually dug up, and a strip mall took its place. “[The pool] was almost a stand-in for the communities we’ve destroyed in so many parts of the country,” Sam says. Sam traces the causes of America’s opioid epidemic. He discusses the role that prescription oxycodone played, as well as the cheap heroin from Mexico that people could get on the street once their prescriptions ran out. Sam is a true expert on the opioid epidemic. Listen to his analysis here, and check out Sam’s book for more information.

Greg interviews Jeff Mozingo and Joe Richardson, founders of Awaken Project. Awaken Project is an in-school presentation reinforcing a strong drug use prevention message with a live multimedia music event. Jeff and Joe met at a golf tournament. At the tournament, Jeff was asked to pray for Joe and his son—who sadly passed away from a heroin overdose. Jeff describes the Awaken Project as, “God bringing us together for a positive message.”

In this episode of the Cover2 Resources PPT Podcast, Greg interviews Dr. Mark Rosenberg, the Chairman of Emergency Medicine and the Medical Director for Population Health at St. Joseph’s Healthcare System in Patterson, New Jersey. Alternatives to Opioids Program (ALTO) was born in the emergency wing of St. Joseph’s Healthcare System. The program uses music and other alternative therapies instead of opioids to relieve pain. The ALTO program is truly making a difference. “The numbers are just staggering,” says Dr. Rosenberg. Listen to the episode here to learn more about the impact ALTO has had on the community in Patterson, NJ.

Greg McNeil Interviewed by Grace Roberts of 1073 the Wave by Cover 2 Resources

In this episode of the Cover2 Resources PPT Podcast, Greg interviews Craig Wigley, Dr. Vanessa Clark, and William Zylinski, administrators from the Lacey Township School District in Lanoka Harbor, NJ. The panel talks about drug testing in schools, which was recently implemented in the Lacey Township School District. The panel discusses the importance of hearing student voices on the matter, as well as the lengthy process of policy development.

Greg interviews Dr. Brian Welsh, the Chief Medical Officer at Coleman Professional Services in Kent, Ohio. Coleman is a nonprofit medical organization committed to fostering recovering, building independence and changing the destinies of individuals in the Kent community. Dr. Welsh describes his position as overseeing clinical protocols and procedures, as well as supervision of psychiatry procedures for all the Coleman locations.

Ricardo Tull, who works for Philadelphia’s Department of Behavioral Health and leads the CRAFT (Coordinated Response to Addiction Facilitating Treatment) Program. He explains CRAFT as an extension to the long Prevention Point program with four basic elements: assertive outreach and engagement, affectively screen and assess addicts, unconditional support, harm reduction and treatment encouragement. He says that the program has been in effect since 2006 and a positive impact on the community.

Greg interviews Sergeant Pat Greenhill, the Sergeant of the Berea Police Department and PAARI (The Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative) Program Coordinator for Community Engagement. They are joined by PAARI State Representative Nicole Walmsley. You can listen to her first podcast episode here. As Sergeant Greenhill explains, PAARI is a national organization started in Gloucester, Massachusetts by the Gloucester Police Department. Its mission is to help opioid addicts find proper addiction treatment. “We don’t turn anyone away, we will provide them with access to resources,” says Sergeant Greenhill.

Greg interviews Orlando Howard, the Manager of Outpatient Services at Rosary Hall of St. Vincent Charity Medical Center in Cleveland. Started in 1865, the medical center has provided healing services to the Cleveland community for over 150 years! Dedicated to the healing ministry of Jesus, the center has been quite involved in the Northeast Ohio opioid epidemic. Orlando shares how St. Vincent is reaching out into the opioid addict community by actively responding to the changing face of addiction.

Greg interviews Garrett Hart, the Creative Content Director for Summit Radio Station and the Host of Rock and Recovery. Behind the music, Rock and Recovery enables the community to heal together through the therapeutic power of music. With messages of hope and inspiration, the specially chosen music provide encouragement for each individual journey. Garrett describes it as, “A mix of positive upbeat songs along with short messages meant to inspire people who are in a recovery program or dealing with any trauma in their lives...to hit that restart button in the brain, to think more positively, to think what in your life is of value and what you enjoy.”

Greg interviews Michael, a Summit County Narcotics-Anonymous Member. Nar-Anon provides a community for those who have felt the agony of seeing a friend or family member struggle with drug addiction. The Nar-Anon program itself consists of twelve steps, centered around grace, wisdom and love.