Episode #172 High Truths on Drugs and Addition with Eve Simmons and JournalismEpisode #172 High Truths on Drugs and Addition with Eve Simmons and Journalism
High Truths on Drugs and Addiction
How does journalism play a role in drugs and addiction? Eve Simmons is a British writer, journalist and health and wellness editor at DailyMail.com. She is an award-winning health journalist with a dogged determination to sniffing out fake health news – especially when it comes to diet. Formerly the deputy health editor at the Mail on Sunday in the UK, continues to work on vital and entertaining reports on her specialist subjects in the US which include mental health, disability and eating disorders. And she’s not afraid to dress up like a fool and try the latest fitness fad…for the good of journalism. She’s written several in-depth reports on cannabis legalization – most recently covering the Bryn Spejcher manslaughter trial. From 18 year-old who shot his girlfriend’s baby while high on marijuana to stoned babysitter who let TWO toddlers drown: we reveal how cannabis has led to nearly 300 brutal child deaths How California’s legal cannabis dream became a public health nightmare: It’s a class B drug in the UK – but in the US state it’s led to spiralling addiction, psychotic illnesses and hospitals facing a deluge of poisonings
1:04:44•8 Apr 2024
Journalism's Role in the Drug Debate: A Chat with Eve Simmons
Episode Overview
- Explore the impact of cannabis legalization through in-depth journalism
- Understand the challenges of reporting on health topics in a fast-paced digital world
- Uncover the nuances of distinguishing between real and fake news in the media
- Reflect on the risks and benefits of drug normalization in society
- Gain insights into the complexities of cannabis-induced psychosis and its implications
“For a long time i've wanted to do a a big big piece on it and so i spoke about this with my editor and we decided that the best thing for me to do would be to go out to california and speak to doctors. And it happened because it was at the time the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, had done this big kind of PR stint where he'd gone to LA and visited some of the big cannabis factories and the pot shops.”
Ever wondered how journalism shapes our understanding of drugs and addiction? In this episode of 'High Truths on Drugs and Addiction', Dr. Roneet Lev sits down with Eve Simmons, a British journalist and health editor at DailyMail.com. Eve has a knack for cutting through the noise and exposing fake health news, especially when it comes to diet and mental health. She’s even donned ridiculous outfits to try out the latest fitness fads, all in the name of good journalism.
Eve shares her experiences covering cannabis legalization, including some shocking stories like the Bryn Spejcher manslaughter trial and other tragic incidents linked to marijuana use. She paints a vivid picture of how California's legal cannabis landscape has spiraled into a public health issue, with rising addiction rates and hospitals overwhelmed by poisonings. This episode is perfect for anyone curious about the intersection of media and drug policy. Eve and Dr.
Lev discuss the fine line journalists walk between informing the public and sensationalizing news, especially in the realm of mental health and addiction. Whether you’re a media enthusiast or someone affected by these issues, you'll find their conversation both eye-opening and thought-provoking.
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