Marshall Poe
Marshall Poe
Beth Macy, “Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company That Addicted America” (Little, Brown & Company, 2018)
Beth Macy, “Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company That Addicted America” (Little, Brown & Company, 2018)
Beth Macy, “Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company That Addicted America” (Little, Brown & Company, 2018)
Tuesday 21st August 2018
Beth Macy discusses 'Dopesick' on New Books in Drugs, Addiction and Recovery, revealing the roots and impact of America's opioid crisis.
33 minutes
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Get the buttons here!Beth Macy's 'Dopesick': The Untold Story of America's Opioid Crisis
One of the reasons we put Hidden Valley on the cover of the book in that stark black and white photography is because, yes, I mean, look, those really nice houses with the mountains in the background.
Beth Macy takes listeners on a gripping journey through the heart of America's opioid epidemic in this episode of 'New Books in Drugs, Addiction and Recovery'. Her book, 'Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company That Addicted America', serves as the backbone of this discussion. Macy paints a vivid picture of how central Appalachia became ground zero for the opioid crisis, starting in the mid-1990s.
Through her meticulous research, she reveals how coal miners, loggers, and furniture makers fell prey to the aggressive marketing tactics of pharmaceutical giants pushing prescription opioids like Oxycontin. The arrival of these pills hit the region like a 'nuclear bomb', leading to widespread addiction and devastation. Macy doesn't shy away from the grim realities faced by these communities, nor does she let big pharma off the hook.
She highlights how Purdue Pharma executives denied responsibility even as their products wreaked havoc. But it's not just about pointing fingers; Macy also sheds light on the broader cultural issues that allowed this crisis to fester, such as the medical community's evolving standards for pain management. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to understand the multifaceted nature of the opioid epidemic.
Whether you're interested in the historical context, the human stories, or the systemic failures, Macy's insights offer a comprehensive look at one of America's most pressing public health issues.