Beth Macy on 'Dopesick': Unraveling the Opioid Crisis from Inside Out
Well, this story is just one government regulatory failure after another, in my opinion.
Ever wondered how the opioid epidemic became such a massive crisis? Beth Macy, the best-selling author and journalist behind 'Dopesick', joins Jon Cohan and Gabrielle Dean on The Right Mind Media Podcast to dissect this very question. Macy's book is a compelling journey through the labyrinth of opioid addiction, starting from the labs of big pharmaceutical companies to the living rooms of affected families across America.
She paints a vivid picture of how aggressive marketing tactics in the late '90s set off a chain reaction that led to widespread addiction, touching every corner of society—from affluent suburbs to struggling small towns in Central Appalachia. Macy doesn't just stop at the origins; she dives into the ongoing repercussions, including the stigma around medication-assisted treatment and the glaring failures in government regulation.
Her compassionate storytelling brings a human face to this national tragedy, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of addiction and recovery. This episode is a treasure trove of insights, offering both a historical perspective and a call to action for better solutions.