207. Fentanyl Inc. | Ben Westhoff207. Fentanyl Inc. | Ben Westhoff
High Truths on Drugs and Addiction
Ben traveled to China to buy some fentanyl precursors. What he learned shapes health policy to this day. Now he is banned from China travel. Ben Westhoff is an award-winning investigative reporter whose books are taught around the country and have been translated around the world, including Fentanyl, Inc.: How Rogue Chemists Created the Deadliest Wave of the Opioid Epidemic, the bombshell first book about the fentanyl epidemic. He has advised officials at the top levels of government about the opioid crisis, writes the Substack newsletter Drugs + Hip-Hop, and is currently directing a film about the opioid treatment drug naltrexone, called Antagonist. His book Original Gangstas: Tupac Shakur, Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, Ice Cube and the Birth of West Coast Rap is the definitive book about West Coast Hip-Hop. He has written for The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Wall Street Journal, Rolling Stone, and the Guardian, and been interviewed as an expert commentator on CNN, NPR, and CSPAN, and on full, dedicated episodes of Fresh Air and the Joe Rogan Experience.
57:24•10 Dec 2024
Ben Westhoff's Undercover Journey into Fentanyl's Dark Origins
Episode Overview
- Ben Westhoff's undercover journey in China revealed the production and export of fentanyl precursors.
- Chinese labs play a significant role in the US opioid crisis.
- Government policies have struggled to curb fentanyl production effectively.
- Education and harm reduction strategies are crucial in tackling the opioid epidemic.
- Understanding the global complexities of drug distribution is essential for effective intervention.
“As a journalist, I'm interested in telling stories that haven't been told.”
In this episode of High Truths on Drugs and Addiction, Dr. Roneet Lev sits down with Ben Westhoff, an award-winning investigative reporter and author of 'Fentanyl, Inc.: How Rogue Chemists Created the Deadliest Wave of the Opioid Epidemic'. Ben shares his eye-opening journey to China where he uncovered the dark underbelly of fentanyl production. His daring investigation revealed how Chinese labs manufacture and export fentanyl precursors, significantly contributing to the opioid crisis in the United States.
Westhoff's experience is not just a tale of undercover journalism but a stark reminder of the global complexities surrounding drug production and distribution. His insights into the world of rogue chemists and synthetic drugs are both fascinating and alarming. Dr. Lev and Ben discuss the challenges of curbing fentanyl production, the role of government policies, and the importance of education and harm reduction strategies.
They also touch on personal anecdotes, such as Ben's early encounters with drugs at electronic music festivals, which fuelled his passion for investigative journalism. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to understand the intricate web of the opioid crisis and the efforts needed to combat it. Don't miss out on this compelling conversation that sheds light on one of the most pressing issues of our time.
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