Ep. 283 – Obscure Treatment Could be The Final Fix for Addiction

2020-07-13T10:36:41-04:00July 10th, 2020|Education, Podcasts, Recovery, Recovery Stories, Treatment/Programs, Videos|

Obscure Treatment Could be The Final Fix for Addiction     For the last few months, I’ve been covering COVID-19’s impact on the opioid crisis. With overdoses up 42% in May alone, it’s projected 75,000 additional lives will be lost to alcohol and drug overdose because of the pandemic. One resource [...]

Ep. 282 – The Impact of COVID-19 on the Opioid Crisis

2020-07-02T17:06:07-04:00July 2nd, 2020|Education, Harm Reduction, Legislation, Podcasts, Prevention, Treatment/Programs, Webinars|

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Opioid Crisis Over the last 90 plus days, much has changed in our world. COVID19 has forced many of us to endure unfamiliar hardships and inconveniences. But our most vulnerable populations, such as those struggling with OUD, have been hit particularly hard by the coronavirus. [...]

Ep. 281 – A Safer Supply Saves Lives

2020-07-02T15:22:09-04:00May 28th, 2020|Education, Harm Reduction, Legislation, Podcasts, Prevention, Recovery, Treatment/Programs|

A Safer Supply Saves Lives Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is considered the gold standard for treating opioid use disorder. But it doesn’t work for everyone, and for those unresponsive to MAT, the next use of illicit street drugs could be their last.  This month, Staff Sergeant Conor King introduced us to SaferSupply, [...]

Ep. 279 – Home Test Kits: DFCA’s Innovative Response to a Pandemic

2020-07-02T15:28:17-04:00May 1st, 2020|Community Outreach, Education, Podcasts, Treatment/Programs|

Home Test Kits: DFCA's Innovative Response to a Pandemic In today’s episode of the Cover2, PPT podcast, we continue revisiting some of the People, Places, and Things we’ve profiled in earlier episodes. We’re touching base to see how the Coronavirus has changed the way they’re making a difference in the opioid [...]

Ep. 278 – Adapting Peer Recovery for a Pandemic

2020-05-01T16:37:02-04:00April 20th, 2020|Legal/Legislation, Legislation, Podcasts, Prevention, Recovery, Treatment/Programs|

Adapting Peer Recovery for a Pandemic Three years ago, we profiled AnchorEd, an innovative initiative, developed in Rhode Island. This program enables peer recovery coaches to meet with overdose victims before their release from the hospital. In March, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic sent everyone into lockdown. To continue helping people with [...]

Ep. 277 – Rapid Changes to Opioid Treatment Driven by COVID-19

2020-04-21T11:42:01-04:00March 27th, 2020|Education, Harm Reduction, Podcasts, Prevention, Treatment/Programs|

Rapid Changes to Opioid Treatment Driven by COVID-19 Last week a STAT News article titled “Covid-19 will worsen the opioid overdose crisis if we don’t prepare now,” stated that, “Missing from the national discussion on the coronavirus has been another vulnerable group: patients with opioid use disorder. Despite ongoing public health [...]

Ep. 276 – Strike Force Stops Flow of Illicit Opioids

2020-03-12T11:16:00-04:00March 12th, 2020|Criminal Justice, Podcasts, Prevention, Treatment/Programs|

Strike Force Stops Flow of Illicit Opioids In October 2018, the Justice Department's Criminal Division created the Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid (ARPO), Strike Force. This team consists of federal agents, prosecutors, and specialists from different government departments. Together, they combine data analytics and law enforcement to spot dangerous prescription patterns and [...]

Ep. 275 – Drug Czar Unpacks Our National Opioid Epidemic Strategy

2020-03-05T12:49:03-05:00March 5th, 2020|Legal/Legislation, Legislation, Podcasts|

Drug Czar Unpacks Our National Opioid Epidemic Strategy In its latest Strategy Report, the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) shared its strategy for building a stronger, healthier, drug-free society. To reach this goal, the ONDCP details three tactics for fighting the opioid epidemic. First, continue to prevent new substance [...]

Ep. 274 – Treatment Breakthrough: The ER Addiction Stabilization Unit

2020-03-03T16:47:58-05:00February 25th, 2020|Education, Harm Reduction, Podcasts, Recovery, Recovery Stories, Treatment/Programs|

Treatment Breakthrough: The ER Addiction Stabilization Unit In June 2017, Dr. Belma Andric, Chief Medical Officer of the Health District of Palm Beach County, Florida, joined Greg on the Cover2 podcast. She shared a unique pilot program that started Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) for overdose victims right in the emergency room [...]

EP. 273 – The Mastermind Behind the World’s Largest Online Drug Cartel

2020-02-25T13:40:40-05:00February 14th, 2020|Books, Criminal Justice, Education, Harm Reduction, Podcasts, Stories|

The Mastermind Behind the World’s Largest Online Drug Cartel Since 1995, when the FDA approved OxyContin, igniting an opioid crisis, many bad actors have emerged willing to do almost anything to make a buck off the insatiable demand for opioids in our country. But none less known, and more destructive than [...]

Ep. 272 – MOMS Plus: New Program to Lower NAS Rates

2020-02-06T11:42:25-05:00February 6th, 2020|Education, Podcasts, Prevention, Treatment/Programs|

MOMS Plus: New Program to Lower NAS Rates Between 2004 and 2011, opioid abuse and dependence among delivering mothers in Ohio grew by 491%. As a consequence, cases of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), where opioid exposed babies experience acute drug withdrawal following birth, became commonplace. Babies who begin their lives suffering [...]

Ep. 271 – In Pain: When No One Knows How to Taper Pain Pills

2020-02-04T13:06:48-05:00January 31st, 2020|Books, Education, Harm Reduction, Podcasts, Recovery, Recovery Stories, Stories|

In Pain – When No One Knows How to Taper Pain Pills In 1996, pain became the 5th vital sign in medicine, prompting doctors to rely on opioids for pain treatment. As a result, opioid prescriptions spiked over the next 15 years, causing hundreds of thousands of opioid addictions. While many [...]

Ep. 270 – Insys Therapeutic Execs Sentenced: Will Doctors Be Next?

2020-02-05T13:33:01-05:00January 23rd, 2020|Criminal Justice, Harm Reduction, Legal/Legislation, Podcasts|

Insys Therapeutic Execs Sentenced: Will Doctors Be Next? In February of 2019, we interviewed Palm Beach Post reporters Pat Beall and John Pacenti, about the trial of former executives from opioid manufacturer Insys Therapeutics. They’d been accused of racketeering, bribing doctors to prescribe their high-powered opioid fentanyl spray, Subsys, to patients [...]

Episode 269 – New MLB Drug Testing Policy Could Be a Game Changer

2020-01-16T15:07:57-05:00January 16th, 2020|Harm Reduction, Legal/Legislation, Podcasts, Stories|

New MLB Drug Testing Policy Could Be a Game Changer Last July, Major League Baseball fans were shocked when Tyler Skaggs, a rising star pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels, was found dead in his hotel room. The toxicology report indicated Skaggs had oxycodone, fentanyl and alcohol in his system, causing [...]

Episode 268 – Rudy Giuliani & The Lost Opportunity to Make Them Pay

2020-01-21T11:57:00-05:00January 7th, 2020|Education, Harm Reduction, Legal/Legislation, Podcasts|

Rudy Giuliani & The Lost Opportunity to Make Them Pay In 2006, Purdue Pharma was under fire for falsely advertising the addictiveness of its opioid, OxyContin. Many families believed that handcuffs were the only justifiable punishment, and the Department of Justice (DOJ) seemed to agree.  Yet, somehow Giuliani Partners LLC managed [...]

Ep. 267 – Our Favorite Episode from 2019: FDA Missteps that Helped Fuel Our Nation’s Health Crisis

2020-01-07T12:23:21-05:00January 2nd, 2020|Education, Harm Reduction, Legal/Legislation, Podcasts|

 Our Favorite Episode from 2019: FDA Missteps that Helped Fuel Our Nation’s Health Crisis In 2019 we released 45 new podcasts covering books from best-selling authors such as Dopesick from Beth Macy and American Overdose from Chris McGreal, to important developments such as the MDL and the J&J Oklahoma trial and people making headlines such [...]

Ep. 265 – Drug & Alcohol Prevention Targets At-Risk Personality Types

2019-12-18T17:02:05-05:00December 12th, 2019|Education, Podcasts, Prevention, Treatment/Programs|

Drug & Alcohol Prevention Targets At-Risk Personality Types For years now, schools across the U.S. have been striving to implement more effective drug abuse prevention and education programs to protect adolescents from alcohol & drug abuse. However, despite investing millions of dollars into prevention programs such as D.A.R.E and Nancy Reagan’s “just say [...]

Ep. 264 – Beth Macy, & Emily Martinez: Finding Tess

2019-12-04T16:14:47-05:00December 4th, 2019|Education, Podcasts, Stories|

Earlier this year, Greg interviewed bestselling author Beth Macy in a series on her book, Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company that Addicted America. It’s a compelling account of the opioid epidemic in our country and profiles the twenty-plus year history of the opioid crisis as it emerged in the state of Virginia. Recently, [...]

Ep. 263 – Deconstructing the Addicted Mind: Dr. Nicole Labor

2019-12-04T12:13:27-05:00November 26th, 2019|Education, Podcasts, Recovery, Recovery Stories, Stories|

It’s difficult for a non-addicted person to rationalize the addicted mind, and the societal stigmatism around addiction doesn’t make that any easier. How can they keep making these decisions if they know they’re wrong, and why won’t they make choices that lead to recovery? The truth is, an addict isn’t in complete [...]

Ep. 261 – The True Cost of The Opioid Epidemic

2019-12-04T14:49:17-05:00November 18th, 2019|Education, Podcasts|

In August, a closely watched Oklahoma opioid trial concluded. Johnson & Johnson was found guilty of deceptive marketing practices and causing a public nuisance, and the judge subsequently awarded the state $572 Million to cover the first year of abatement. However, the judge later announced he had made a $107 million miscalculation. [...]

Ep. 260 – ResultsOhio: Funding Programs That Get Results

2019-12-04T12:05:05-05:00November 4th, 2019|Podcasts, Treatment/Programs|

You wouldn’t pay for something without knowing what you were getting, but all too often, our tax dollars are spent on programs without accountability for results. With the new ResultsOhio initiative, led by state Treasurer Robert Sprague, Ohio is looking for data-backed solutions to guide its funding decisions for social and public [...]

Ep. 259 – Unpacking The Settlement in The Ohio Bellwether MDL Case in Cleveland

2019-12-04T12:02:42-05:00October 24th, 2019|Legal/Legislation, Podcasts|

On October 21st, just as a landmark opioid trial was about to begin, a $260 million settlement was reached.  The deal negotiated between three major opioid distributors, one opioid manufacturer, and Cuyahoga and Summit Country Ohio, resulted in a combination of cash payouts, and donations of addiction treatments.  The first of its [...]

Ep. 255 – David Siegel & The Opioid Pandemic- Part 2

2019-11-20T10:22:48-05:00September 19th, 2019|Podcasts|

Last time on the Cover2 Podcast, David Siegel, the CEO of Westgate Resorts, shared how the opioid epidemic changed his family forever when it took the life of his daughter Victoria. With a new purpose, David decided to tackle the pandemic head-on, meeting with several of our nation’s leaders responsible for solving [...]

Ep. 254 – David Siegel & The Opioid Pandemic- Part 1

2019-11-20T10:27:24-05:00September 17th, 2019|Podcasts|

Since we began this podcast series three and a half years ago, we’ve met some amazing people doing incredible work, each making a difference in the opioid epidemic in their own way. Today’s guest is no exception. What sets him apart is the scope of his latest initiative and his sense of [...]

Ep. 252 – Introducing a Community of First Responders (Everyone Has a Role!)

2019-11-20T10:38:44-05:00August 30th, 2019|Podcasts|

First Responders have 6 minutes to make it to an overdose victim and begin administering life-saving Narcan. Sadly, that’s not always possible. The Community of First Responders Initiative is about making Narcan available in public spaces and linking Narcan Carriers with overdose victims while they wait for emergency responders to arrive. Each [...]

Ep. 250 – The FDA Missteps that Fueled Our Nation’s Health Crisis

2020-01-02T15:48:59-05:00August 6th, 2019|Education, Harm Reduction, Legal/Legislation, Podcasts|

Today’s guest, Dr. Andrew Kolodny, is an authority on the opioid epidemic.  As a Senior Scientist and, Co-Director of Opioid Policy Research at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Dr. Kolodny has a deep-rooted interest in public health. He began his career working for the New York City Department of [...]

Ep. 249 – The First Agency to Sound the Alarm

2019-11-20T10:52:16-05:00July 19th, 2019|Podcasts|

The First Agency to Sound The Alarm While many people in power ignored the mounting evidence of the Opioid Crisis, one leader refused to turn a blind eye. In 2009, fresh from seven years as NYC’s health commissioner, Dr. Tom Frieden, president, and CEO of Resolve to Save Lives was appointed a director [...]

Ep. 248 -Taking Recovery to The Streets

2019-11-20T11:03:08-05:00July 11th, 2019|Podcasts|

About 21 million Americans struggle with addiction every day, yet only ten percent receive treatment. While that percentage is shockingly low, the reality is that traditional methods of aid are inaccessible for many people, even if addicts are ready for treatment. Fortunately, many organizations recognize this issue and are creating paths to [...]

Ep. 247 – The Corrupting Influence of Purdue: WHO knew?

2019-06-28T17:04:48-04:00June 28th, 2019|Podcasts|

As negative press continued to build for Purdue Pharma and the opioid crisis grew, their U.S. market shares began to shrink. Prescriptions for OxyContin fell more than 40% since 2010, equating to billions in lost revenue. The company’s owners, the Sackler Family, started pursuing a new strategy; go global through their international [...]

Ep. 246 – Lost Lives Lead to New Prevention Programs

2019-06-19T12:13:00-04:00June 18th, 2019|Podcasts|

In June of 2016, we sat down with Dr. Tom Gilson, the nationally known medical examiner from Cuyahoga County, Ohio. Hoping it might inform and help others, Dr. Gilson reviewed Sam McNeil’s report from the medical examiner of Palm Beach County.   Today, we revisit that discussion and uncover how some communities, [...]

Episode 245: Modern-day FDA, What’s New is Still Old

2019-06-06T10:17:02-04:00June 6th, 2019|Podcasts|

In our three-part series with American Overdose author, Chris McGreal, we took an in-depth look at some of the policies and practices of the FDA that helped lead to our nation’s worst health crisis in history. During the series, I spoke with the former chair of the FDA advisory committee, who’s role [...]

Ep. 241 – Behind the Scenes of “Heroin’s Grip” a New Documentary, with Director Conrad Weaver

2019-05-16T14:40:42-04:00May 10th, 2019|Podcasts|

Many people that view addiction from the outside don’t understand the struggle addicts go through and can’t appreciate how addiction impacts their families. To educate people from that perspective, the new documentary, Heroin’s Grip, features the families of Frederick County Maryland, whose lives were transformed by addiction and the opioid epidemic. Joining [...]

Ep. 236 – Preparing Future Physicians: How Dr. Elizabeth Gundersen readies her students for future ethical challenges

2019-04-12T15:15:27-04:00April 10th, 2019|Podcasts|

Pharmaceutical companies spend billions annually on influencing physicians and other pharmaceutical providers, to write more prescriptions for their products. For most companies, the majority of their marketing budget is dedicated to direct contact with doctors, offering token gifts and free lunches, in tandem with information on their products. Many aspiring medical practitioners [...]

Ep. 235 – “American Relapse:” A Behind the Scenes Look with Director/Executive Producer of Chilling New Documentary

2019-04-12T15:12:08-04:00April 1st, 2019|Podcasts|

Each year, thousands of people from across the country go to Florida seeking treatment for drug addiction. Some find help and recover, but the vast majority relapse and continue to struggle with the disease, even after going through treatment many times. This population is vulnerable to insurance fraud through cooked treatment centers [...]

Ep. 231 – “60 Minutes” Whistleblower Shares What Happened When Congress Sided with Industry Over an Agency

2019-03-11T17:13:49-04:00March 8th, 2019|Podcasts|

When a key member of the government’s legal team went to work for the pharmaceutical industry, the job of diversion control enforcement changed dramatically. In this episode, Mr. Joseph Rannazzisi, who for over a decade, was the front man in the government’s battle against the opioid epidemic, shares a first-hand account of [...]

Ep. 229 – Diversion Out of Control: “60 Minutes” Whistleblower, Joe Rannazzisi Talks About What Went Wrong

2019-03-11T17:10:24-04:00February 21st, 2019|Podcasts|

On December 19th, 2018, the Energy and Commerce Committee released a long awaited report titled “Red Flags and Warning Signs Ignored: Opioid Distribution and Enforcement Concerns in West Virginia”. The purpose of the report was to investigate allegations of “opioid dumping” in West Virginia. Today, we begin a 4-part series with Joseph [...]

Ep. 228 – Pharmaceutical Company Exposed in Boston: A Conversation with Palm Beach Post Reporters Part 2

2019-02-15T19:49:07-05:00February 15th, 2019|Podcasts|

We frame today’s podcast with Palm Beach Post reporters, John Pacenti and Pat Beall with a clip from the Insys Therapeutics rap video on the virtues of persuading doctors to prescribe higher doses of the company’s liquid opioid, Subsys. This week jurors in the Insys racketeering case in Boston heard the following [...]

Ep. 227 – Landmark Racketeering Case Against Insys Therapeutics Brings Up A Familiar Story

2019-02-15T14:35:06-05:00February 12th, 2019|Podcasts|

Back in January, the pharmaceutical trial of Insys Therapeutics and company founder, John Kapoor faced charges of racketeering. Allegedly, he and six former sales directors operated a scheme which paid bribes to physicians to prescribe the fentanyl spray SUBSYS, a high-powered opioid pain medication. Between 2012-2016, approximately 908 people overdosed and died [...]

Ep. 226 – Turning Tragedy into a Triumph: The Roanoke Valley Hope Initiative Story

2019-02-15T14:29:08-05:00February 5th, 2019|Podcasts|

As Beth Macy’s book “Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors and the Drug Company that Addicted America” unfolds, we meet many families, community leaders and healthcare providers that were directly impacted by the opioid epidemic in Virginia. As the crisis emerged, families didn’t know where to turn for help. On today’s podcast, Janine Underwood shares [...]

Ep. 225 – Improbable Players Change the Conversation on Addiction Using Performance and Discussion

2019-02-15T14:22:06-05:00January 25th, 2019|Podcasts|

Improbable Players is a collection of touring theater troupes with a powerful message. Forming in Boston, the organization formed in 1984 and is a form of evidence-based prevention education. They use workshops and performances to address and educate the audience on addiction, opioids and alcoholism. The workshops give students the tools to [...]

Ep. 223 – Dopesick: Humanitarian Sister Beth Davies Inspires a Community to Take on a Giant – Part 4

2019-01-11T15:28:03-05:00January 9th, 2019|Podcasts|

In part four of our five-part “Dopesick” series, we have an extensive conversation with Sister Beth Davies. With the help of Dr. Art Van Zee, the two established a community coalition which laid the groundwork to file the first lawsuit against Purdue Pharma. A Staten Island native, Sister Beth is a member [...]

Ep. 222 – Dopesick: Bestselling Author Beth Macy Shares a New Approach to Recovery in Appalachia– Part 3

2019-01-11T15:26:44-05:00January 3rd, 2019|Podcasts|

This is part three of our “Dopesick” podcast series. In parts one and two, we sat down with New York Times writer and bestselling author Beth Macy and discussed what made Appalachia so vulnerable to the opioid crisis. We touched on Purdue Pharma’s marketing efforts and the impact they had on OxyContin [...]

Ep. 221 – Dopesick: Bestselling Author Beth Macy’s Story of The Drug Company that Addicted America – Part 2

2019-01-11T15:52:34-05:00December 29th, 2018|Podcasts|

In part one of our Dopesick podcast, we discussed the effects that the opioid epidemic had on Appalachia and why the region was so vulnerable. In part two, we will discuss Purdue Pharma’s OxyContin marketing efforts and the enormous impact it had on the region. In 1996, Purdue Pharma more than doubled the [...]

Ep. 220 – Dopesick: Bestselling Author Beth Macy’s Story of The Drug Company that Addicted America – Part 1

2019-06-21T14:53:00-04:00December 20th, 2018|Podcasts|

“Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors and the Drug Company that Addicted America” is a look into the opioid crisis as it emerged in, bestselling author Beth Macy’s hometown of Roanoke Virginia. It’s an account that profiles the twenty plus year history of the epidemic and the story of how Appalachia was ravaged by this [...]

Ep. 218 – Pharmaceutical Company Adopts “Glengarry Glen Ross“ Sales Culture of Purdue Pharma

2019-01-11T15:20:05-05:00December 6th, 2018|Podcasts|

The author of Dreamland, Sam Quinones, stated in a blog post “The Purdue Pharma company instructional materials pushed salespeople to ‘expand the physician’s definition of the appropriate patient’ to which opioids might be prescribed, and to develop a ‘specific plan for systematically moving physicians to the next level of prescribing.’” Over the [...]

Ep. 217 – Removing Legal Barriers to Recovery at St. Vincent Charity Medical Center

2019-01-11T15:19:34-05:00November 29th, 2018|Podcasts|

In criminal cases, legal assistance is a right. However, there is no right to counsel in civil matters, and most low-income Americans are forced to go it alone without legal representation. It’s estimated that 71% of low-income households experienced at least one civil legal problem in the last year, including problems with health [...]

Ep. 216 – ALTO, Lily’s Place and AnchorED Programs Highlight Supports in Opioid Bill H.R.6 – Part 2

2020-01-27T14:44:21-05:00November 21st, 2018|Podcasts|

On October 24, 2018, President Trump signed The Support for Patients and Communities Act or H.R.6. into law. This podcast is the second part of our series on this historic piece of legislation. H.R.6 includes support for three successful programs we have featured on earlier podcasts in our series. On today’s show, [...]

Ep. 215 – Everything You Need to Know About Ohio Issue 1

2019-01-11T15:16:02-05:00November 5th, 2018|Podcasts|

On Tuesday, November 6th Ohio voters will decide Ohio Issue 1, a ballot initiative that would reduce drug possession offenses to misdemeanors, so they’re no longer classified as felonies with harsher penalties. By most accounts, proponents and opponents are locked in a dead heat on this important issue, so we have decided [...]

Ep. 214 – Powerful PSA Aims to Stop Community from Living in Denial (Ohio) About Opioid Addiction

2019-01-11T15:14:54-05:00October 31st, 2018|Podcasts|

Ohio continues to have one of the largest death rates due to overdoses in all the US. Just last year, Franklin County had a 47% increase due to opioid abuse. This caused community leaders to come together and form the Ohio Opioid Education Alliance. Their research uncovered some shocking results.  It concluded that [...]

Ep. 210 – What You Don’t Know About the Opioid Multidistrict Litigation in Cleveland, Ohio

2019-01-11T15:08:16-05:00October 12th, 2018|Podcasts|

There have now been over 1,300 opioid lawsuits filed by states, cities, countries, Native American tribes and labor unions throughout our country. The New York Times said resolving these lawsuits could be the most daunting legal challenge our nation has faced. Last December all the opioid cases filed in federal court across [...]

Ep. 209 – Can Mathematical Modeling Reduce the Death Toll from the Opioid Epidemic?

2019-01-11T15:06:54-05:00October 3rd, 2018|Podcasts|

Stanford University researchers developed a mathematical model that could help public health officials and policymakers decrease the effects of the opioid epidemic, which took the lives of roughly 49,000 Americans in 2017. The model includes data about addictions, prescriptions and overdoses in the United States which can be used for “what if” [...]

Ep. 208 – There’s Help Finding Reputable Treatment Resources

2020-01-28T14:30:58-05:00September 28th, 2018|Podcasts|

Treatment for addiction and rehabilitation is currently a $35 billion dollar industry and continues to climb. There are many honest and reputable organizations out there, but some are unfortunately often seeking personal gain from individuals who are in crisis. They exploit those seeking treatment with addiction treatment scams and those suffering from [...]

Ep. 204 – Highlights from the “Opioids: A Crisis Still Facing Our Entire Community” Conference Pt. 2

2018-09-14T13:54:16-04:00September 14th, 2018|Podcasts|

In late 2013, many of Northeast Ohio’s leading institutions joined forces to formulate a Community Action Plan, a document to serve as a master plan for communities as they move forward in their fight against the opioid epidemic. The Action Plan was divided into four categories which eventually morphed into four subcommittees: [...]

Ep. 203 – Highlights from the “Opioids: A Crisis Still Facing Our Entire Community” Conference Pt. 1

2018-09-11T15:42:32-04:00September 11th, 2018|Podcasts|

In late 2013, many of Northeast Ohio’s leading institutions joined forces to formulate a Community Action Plan, a document to serve as a master plan for communities as they move forward in their fight against the opioid epidemic. The Action Plan was divided into four categories which eventually morphed into four subcommittees: [...]

Ep. 202 – Drug Safe Hudson: Discreet, Confidential Help

2019-01-11T14:57:02-05:00August 28th, 2018|Podcasts|

A common misconception among drug and alcohol addiction is that abusers typically live in poor or lower-middle-class neighborhoods. Part of the reason is that people tend to associate drug and alcohol addiction with financial stress, lack of treatment resources and insufficient education on substance abuse. However, recent studies have shown this is [...]

Ep. 201 – Getting Treatment Guidelines in Sync with Insurance Coverage

2019-01-11T14:56:43-05:00August 24th, 2018|Podcasts|

One of the major contributing factors to the opioid epidemic has been linked to the over-prescribing of opioids for pain relief. Treatment methods, such as chiropractic care, have been offered in many states as an alternative to prescribing opioids. Chiropractors practicing in Ohio participated in a recent survey regarding coverage from Ohio’s [...]

Ep. 200 – Cover2 Celebrates 200th Episode on the “People, Places and Things” Podcast Series

2018-08-21T16:06:00-04:00August 21st, 2018|Podcasts|

Completing over 200 podcasts, Cover2 Resources has had many fascinating guests over the years who represent organizations and programs that are making a difference fighting the opioid crisis. Whether these organizations use the judicial system, personalized treatment or support groups, they are designed to bring hope to those suffering from addiction and [...]

Ep. 199 – Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) Initiative Offers an Alternative to the Justice System

2019-01-11T14:54:51-05:00August 15th, 2018|Podcasts|

We’ve profiled many programs designed to get people the help they need. From the QRT teams in Colerain, Ohio, to the DART program in Toledo, the PAARI program from Gloucester, Massachusetts, Safe Stations in Manchester, New Hampshire and AnchorED in Providence, Rhode Island. The goal of each of these programs is to [...]

Ep. 195 – Counterfeit Medications Being Sold Online Becomes a Global Threat

2019-01-11T14:41:20-05:00July 20th, 2018|Podcasts|

It is estimated that there are currently between 35,000-50,000 active online drug sellers today. Many of these companies are even selling medication without requiring an evaluation from a physician. The World Health Organization has cited that 50% of all online prescription medication is actually counterfeit and is even sold by websites that [...]

Ep. 191 – Admiral James “Sandy” Winnefeld Speaks on His Son Jonathon and the Devastation of Addiction

2019-01-11T14:38:55-05:00July 3rd, 2018|Podcasts|

Addiction can happen to anyone regardless of class, upbringing and environment. It is a battle that can ravage communities, as well as families. Last November, an article written by Retired Admiral James Winnefeld spoke on the effects of the opioid epidemic and how it has personally impacted his life. His article entitled [...]

Ep. 190 – Using the Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program to Target the Opioid Epidemic

2019-01-11T14:38:33-05:00July 2nd, 2018|Podcasts|

In today’s podcast we look at another innovative program featured in the CityLab article, “The Race to Learn What’s Really Happening in the Opioid Crisis,” an app known as the Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program. Also known as ODMAP, this app gives first responders the ability to document overdose-related data in real [...]

Ep. 188 – Policy Expert Highlights the Best New Laws to Fight the Opioid Epidemic

2019-01-11T14:36:26-05:00June 22nd, 2018|Podcasts|

Opioid prescribing report cards for physicians and requirements for insurance providers to cover alternatives to opioids for pain management including acupuncture and chiropractor visits are a couple of the innovations in new state laws passed to fight the opioid epidemic. Policymakers throughout the country have begun confronting the opioid crisis through new [...]

Ep. 187 – Edwins Leadership & Restaurant Institute Offers a Second Chance to Ex-Offenders

2019-01-11T14:34:54-05:00June 20th, 2018|Podcasts|

This week’s podcast features Brandon Chrostowski, founder of Edwins Leadership & Restaurant Institute. Edwins is an organization that exists to provide skilled training and a number of resources to ex-offenders. 6 million people in the US are imprisoned or under community control and face dozens of obstacles after their release. Employment is one [...]

Ep. 184 – A Journey from Hollywood to Recovery Inspires Leader of Drug–Free Workplace Initiative

2019-01-11T11:21:04-05:00May 22nd, 2018|Podcasts|

This week’s podcast features John Mabry, director of Public Outreach for the Addiction Campuses. John has a degree in counseling, an award-winning public speaker and a background in the film industry. Rubbing shoulders with A-listers and working twelve years in the Screen Actors Guild, he seemed to have everything in his life [...]

Ep. 182 – Palm Beach County State Attorney on Patient Brokering and “The Florida Shuffle”

2019-01-11T11:18:52-05:00May 14th, 2018|Podcasts|

The fear inherent in searching for help for an opioid addiction should not include the additional worry of becoming exploited.  But then, “should” is a meaningless word. There are unscrupulous players in the treatment industry eager to turn suffering into money. On this edition of the Cover2 PPT podcast, Greg welcomes Palm [...]

Ep. 175 – A Discussion with one of Time Magazine’s “Top 100 People Who Shape Our World” Dr. Nora Volkow

2020-01-28T16:31:32-05:00April 12th, 2018|Podcasts|

Greg interviews Dr. Nora Volkow, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) who has also been named one of Time Magazine’s “Top 100 People Who Shape Our World.” Focusing on the science of addiction and the effects it can have on the human brain, Dr. Volkow discusses how physically addiction [...]

Ep. 174 – Cover2 Salutes First Responders and Recognizes First Responders Appreciation Week

2019-01-11T11:11:20-05:00April 11th, 2018|Podcasts|

The week of April 9th through the 13th, Summit County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board (ADM) recognizes the first responders. These are the individuals on the frontlines of the opioid epidemic, and the first responders who witness the effects of the crisis firsthand. Greg McNeil sat down with Jerry [...]

Ep. 173 – Greg Interviews David Sheff, One of Time Magazine’s “Top 100 Most Influential People”

2019-01-11T11:10:24-05:00April 10th, 2018|Podcasts|

Greg sat down with New York Times best-selling author David Sheff to discuss the devastating effects the opioid epidemic has had on families. Sheff has also been named one Time Magazine’s “Top 100 Most Influential People,” and is no stranger to the opioid crisis. His award-winning books “Clean: Overcoming Addiction and Ending [...]

Ep. 172 – Part 5: A Cover2 Resources Podcast on the Showtime Docu-Series: “The TRADE” a front row seat to the opioid epidemic

2020-01-27T10:28:44-05:00March 27th, 2018|Podcasts|

Welcome to the 5th and final episode in our five-part podcast series on the Showtime program “The TRADE,” a docu-series providing a front row seat to the opioid epidemic through the eyes of those most affected. We invite you to Binge, Listen and Share this series to make a difference in [...]

Ep. 171 – PART 4: A Cover2 Podcast on the Showtime Docu-Series:“The TRADE” a front row seat to the opioid epidemic

2020-01-27T10:27:38-05:00March 16th, 2018|Podcasts|

This is the fourth episode of our five-part series on the Showtime original program “The TRADE,” a docu-series providing a front row seat to the opioid epidemic through the eyes of those most affected: the growers and cartel bosses, addicts and their families and law enforcement. In this episode, once again [...]

Ep. 170 – PART 3: A Cover2 Podcast on the Showtime Docu-Series: “The TRADE” a front row seat to the opioid epidemic

2020-01-27T10:26:42-05:00March 10th, 2018|Podcasts|

This is the third episode of our five-part series on the Showtime original program “The TRADE,” a docu-series providing a front row seat to the opioid epidemic through the eyes of those most affected: the growers and cartel bosses, addicts and their families and law enforcement. In this episode, once again [...]

Ep. 169 – Part 2: A Cover2 Podcast on the Showtime Series: “The TRADE”; a front row seat to the opioid epidemic

2020-01-27T10:26:00-05:00March 5th, 2018|Podcasts|

This is the second podcast in a five-part series on the Showtime original program “The TRADE,” a docu-series that provides a front row seat to the grim realities of the opioid epidemic through the eyes of those most affected: the growers and cartel bosses, addicts and their families and law enforcement. Each [...]

Ep. 168 – CMA Award winning Artist Shane Runion Concert Tour: DFCA Chapters in 38 School Districts

2019-01-11T10:22:44-05:00March 5th, 2018|Podcasts|

Greg interviews emerging CMA award winning artist, Shane Runion. Shane talks about growing up in Portsmouth, Ohio and the journey from 8th grade history teacher to a Country Music Award winning artist in little more than two years. Shane helped his struggling community go after a multi-million dollar grant by recording a [...]

Ep. 167 – A Cover2 Podcast on the Showtime Series: “The TRADE”; a front row seat to the opioid epidemic

2020-01-27T10:25:05-05:00February 28th, 2018|Podcasts|

This is the first episode in a five-part series on the Showtime original program “The TRADE,” a docu-series that provides a front row seat to the grim realities of the opioid epidemic through the eyes of those most affected: the growers and cartel bosses, addicts and their families and law enforcement. Each podcast features [...]

Ep. 164 – Operation Resolve: Taking An Opioid Educational Initiative to the Workplace

2019-01-11T10:20:17-05:00February 9th, 2018|Podcasts|

In today’s podcast, Greg talks with Kimberly Fraser, Executive Director, Lake County (Ohio) Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board, and Jessie Baginski, Ph.D., President/CEO, Leadership Lake County. Both guests have been touched by the opioid crisis, with family members falling prey to its draconian outcomes. They are overseeing Operation Resolve, [...]

Ep. 163 – New Government Anti-Drug Efforts With DEA360 Program: Sean Fearns, Chief of Community Outreach

2020-01-28T16:10:12-05:00February 6th, 2018|Podcasts|

Greg learns about a new Drug Enforcement Agency program, DEA360, in an illuminating conversation with Sean Fearns, the chief of community outreach. He describes how the programming takes a comprehensive approach to breaking the cycle of drug trafficking, drug violence and drug abuse. DEA360 was first introduced in 2015 with a pilot [...]

Ep. 162 – Opioid Court Injected With Power to Save Lives, Part II: Judge Craig Hannah who presides over Opioid Court in Buffalo

2019-01-11T10:19:02-05:00February 1st, 2018|Podcasts|

In the second of a two-part conversation, Greg interviews Judge Craig Hannah who sits on the bench in the nation’s only Opioid Court in the 8th Judicial District in Buffalo, NY. A former addict himself, now 18 years sober, Hannah details the role and efficacy of his courtroom’s daily involvement in addicts’ [...]

Ep. 161 – Reform in Drug Court: Jeff Smith, thought leader and change agent from Buffalo

2019-01-11T10:18:38-05:00January 30th, 2018|Podcasts|

In the first of a two-part conversation, Greg interviews Jeff Smith, a leader who has affected significant change in the process by which cases belonging to those addicted to opioids are handled. Driven by the understanding that opioid addiction has dramatically different outcomes compared to any other drug use, with rapidly lethal [...]

Ep. 160 – Beat the Odds Together: Daniel Meloy, Director of Public Safety Colerain Township

2019-01-11T10:18:08-05:00January 23rd, 2018|Podcasts|

In today’s podcast we revisit Greg’s interview with Daniel Meloy, the previous Director of Public Safety for Colerain Township in Hamilton County, Cincinnati, Ohio. During his time as the Director of Public Safety for Colerain County, Daniel was able to lead his community to a 35% decrease in overdoses and create the [...]

Ep. 157 – Pharmaceutical Companies Price Gouge, No Government Oversight: Daniel Denvir, Fair Punishment Project

2019-01-11T10:15:07-05:00January 9th, 2018|Podcasts|

Greg interviews Daniel Denvir, a Fellow at Harvard Law School’s Fair Punishment Project and the host of the podcast The Dig. Daniel recently wrote an article titled “These Pharmaceutical Companies are Making a Killing off the Opioid Crisis,” which discusses the price hike in Naloxone and how companies are exploiting the demand [...]

Ep. 155 – Treatment Initiatives to Save Lives: Dr. Scott Weiner, Brigham and Women’s Hospital

2019-01-11T10:03:17-05:00January 2nd, 2018|Podcasts|

Greg interviews Dr. Scott Weiner, the Attending Emergency Physician and Director of B-CORE at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts . Dr. Weiner started B-CORE, short for Brigham Comprehensive Response and Education program, with the aim of creating an umbrella and uniform standard for the treatment of substance use disorder within [...]

Ep. 154 – A New Approach to Treating SUDs: Dr. Ann DiFrangia, Akron General Hospital

2019-01-11T10:01:39-05:00December 28th, 2017|Podcasts|

Greg interviews Dr. Ann DiFrangia, a board certified physician, specializing in the treatment of substance use disorder with Akron General Hospital. Since 2011, Dr. DiFrangia has seen a rise in neo-natal mortality rates, an increase in disabilities due to infection, and sky-rocketing death rates because of the opioid epidemic sweeping Ohio. Greg [...]

Ep. 151 – Rebecca Crowder, Lily’s Place

2019-01-11T10:00:13-05:00December 14th, 2017|Podcasts|

Greg interviews Rebecca Crowder, the Executive Director of Lily’s Place. Lily’s Place is a Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) facility that provides observational, therapeutic, and pharmalogical care to infants affected by prenatal drug usage. Greg asks Rebecca about the problem of NAS and what symptoms can be identified in infants suffering from the [...]

Ep. 148 – State of Emergency Opens Command Center for Coordination: Ilene Shapiro, Summit County

2019-01-11T09:57:21-05:00December 7th, 2017|Podcasts|

Greg interviews Ilene Shapiro, the County Executive of Summit County. In October, Ilene declared a state of emergency over the opioid epidemic, enabling the utilization of the Emergency Operations Command Center in downtown Akron to serve as a communication and coordination hub. Greg asks Ilene about the significance and impact of declaring [...]

Ep. 147 – Developing Better Tactics Pt.2: Clay Stamp, Opioid Operational Command Center

2019-01-11T09:56:49-05:00November 28th, 2017|Podcasts|

Greg continues his interview with Clay Stamp, the Executive Director of the Opioid Operational Command Center in Maryland. Established under the Interagency Heroin and Opioid Coordinating Council in January 2017, the Opioid Operational Command Center works to collect, analyze, and facilitate data-sharing with State and local sources to create better strategies in [...]

Ep. 146 – Developing Better Tactics Pt. 1: Clay Stamp, Opioid Operational Command Center

2019-01-11T09:56:07-05:00November 21st, 2017|Podcasts|

Greg interviews Clay Stamp, the Executive Director of the Opioid Operational Command Center in Maryland. Established under the Interagency Heroin and Opioid Coordinating Council in January 2017, the Opioid Operational Command Center works to collect, analyze, and facilitate data-sharing with State and local sources to create better strategies in their fight against [...]

Ep. 143 – Making Data-Driven Decisions: Darshan Shah & Doug Huntsinger, State of Indiana

2019-01-11T09:54:16-05:00November 9th, 2017|Legal/Legislation, Podcasts|

Greg interviews Darshan Shah, the Chief Data Officer of the State of Indiana and the Executive Director of the Management and Performance Hub (MPH).  He also speaks with Doug Huntsinger, the Special Assistant for Drug Prevention, Treatment, & Enforcement at Governor Holcomb’s Office. Through the MPH, Darshan, Doug, and the rest of [...]

Ep. 141 – Sourcing the Community: Michael H. Robertson, Somerset County Prosecutor

2019-01-11T09:52:23-05:00November 2nd, 2017|Criminal Justice, Podcasts|

Greg interviews Michael H. Robertson, a prosecutor with the Somerset County’s Prosecutor’s Office in New Jersey. Michael and his team recently repurposed an anti-bullying app called STOPit Solutions to help members in their community anonymously report crimes, drug related and otherwise. Greg asks Michael about how the app came into being and [...]

Ep. 139 – Rewiring the Brain: Dr. Jamie Marich, Institute of Creative Mindfulness

2019-01-11T09:51:17-05:00October 26th, 2017|Podcasts, Treatment/Programs|

Greg interviews Dr. Jamie Marich, the founder of the Institute for Creative Mindfulness. The institute offers training in the areas of mental health, trauma, addiction, mindfulness, and clinician development through programs like the EMDRIA program, which focuses on EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy. Greg asks Dr. Marich about how EMDR [...]

Ep. 138 – Interrupting the Cycle: Dr. Kathryn Hawk, Yale University’s Department of Emergency Medicine

2019-01-11T09:50:37-05:00October 24th, 2017|Podcasts, Treatment/Programs|

Greg interviews Dr. Kathryn Hawk, an emergency physician and assistant professor at Yale University’s Department of Emergency Medicine. The Yale University Department of Medicine currently has a program aimed at breaking the cycle of use and reducing opioid overdoses in high risk populations. Greg asks Dr. Hawk about how the Department of [...]

Ep. 137 – Inspiration through Experience: Dawn Scherma & Tammy Laurer, Dawn’s Early Light

2019-01-11T09:48:45-05:00October 20th, 2017|Family Stories, Podcasts|

Greg interviews Dawn Scherma and Tammy Laurer, the founder and the president of Dawn’s Early Light. Dawn’s Early Light is an assistance program that aims to provide financial help and guidance to those suffering from substance abuse disorder. Greg asks both Dawn and Tammy how they moved from a place of frustration [...]

Ep. 136 – An Internal Struggle Between the DEA and Congress: Lenny Bernstein, Washington Post

2019-01-11T09:47:49-05:00October 19th, 2017|Education, Podcasts|

On January 6th 2017, Greg interviewed Lenny Bernstein, a journalist for the Washington Post. Lenny discussed the force behind the opioid epidemic ravaging rural American communities. During his investigation, his team discovered that multiple drug distribution companies were giving rural pharmacies far more pills than they could possibly sell or store. But [...]

Ep. 135 – More Than Just Awareness: Katie Park, Matt Butler, & Jennifer Simpson, Ashtabula County

2019-01-11T09:28:37-05:00October 17th, 2017|Community Outreach, Podcasts|

Greg interviews Katie Park, the Ashtabula County Prevention Coalition Coordinator, as well as two clinical supervisors – Matt Butler from Community Counseling and Jennifer Simpson from Signature Health. Katie, Matt, and Jennifer have been working within Ashtabula County to help treat those affected by the opioid epidemic. Greg asks Katie, Matt, and [...]

Ep. 134 – A Path to Change pt. II: Maurice Clarett, Athlete & Public Speaker

2019-01-11T09:27:28-05:00October 6th, 2017|Podcasts, Recovery Stories|

Greg continues his interview with Maurice Clarett, the former Ohio State running back who led the team in 2002 to an undefeated season and their first national championship in 36 years. Following his first year at OSU, Maurice struggled with substance abuse, eventually culminating in imprisonment. He now educates and empowers others [...]

Ep. 133 – Life on Life’s Terms: Kristen Schenker, Glenbeigh

2019-01-11T09:27:07-05:00October 5th, 2017|Podcasts, Treatment/Programs|

Greg interviews Kristen Schenker, a licensed social worker and the current clinical supervisor at Glenbeigh. Glenbeigh is a drug and alcohol rehabilitation specialty hospital following the philosophy that those suffering from substance abuse disorder can develop a lifestyle outside of their chemical dependence. Greg asks Kristen about her belief that substance abuse [...]

Ep. 132 – A Path to Change: Maurice Clarett, Athlete & Public Speaker

2019-01-11T09:26:44-05:00September 28th, 2017|Podcasts, Recovery Stories|

Greg interviews Maurice Clarett, the former Ohio State running back who led the team in 2002 to an undefeated season and their first national championship in 36 years. Following his first year at OSU, Maurice struggled with substance abuse, eventually culminating in imprisonment. He now educates and empowers others to achieve their [...]

Ep. 130 – Treating Opioid Addiction as a Medical Disorder, Not A Moral Failing: Dr. Darin Neven

2019-01-11T09:23:40-05:00September 22nd, 2017|Podcasts, Treatment/Programs|

Greg interviews Dr. Darin Neven, an emergency department physician practicing at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, Washington. Dr. Neven explores the need to change the culture and practice in terms of treatment for substance use disorders in general and opioid addiction in particular. He points to one effective method to [...]

Ep. 129 – Building A Border Wall is Not the Solution: Nicole Lewis, Washington Post reporter for the Fact Checker feature

2019-01-11T09:23:02-05:00September 20th, 2017|Education, Podcasts|

Greg interviews Nicole Lewis, Washington Post reporter for the Fact Checker feature. In an article she bylined that was published 9/11/2017, she responded to President Trump’s claim that drugs would stop pouring into this country if we built a border wall, which was one of his campaign’s signature promises. She begs to [...]

Ep. 128 – Better Policy through Communication: Keary McCarthy, Mayors Alliance

2019-01-11T09:22:27-05:00September 14th, 2017|Community Outreach, Podcasts|

Greg interviews Keary McCarthy, the Executive Director of the Ohio Mayors Alliance. The Ohio Mayors Alliance is a coalition of mayors from Ohio’s 30 largest urban and suburban communities, which works to advance priority policies, strengthen economic vibrancy, and better advocate for local communities through collaboration and communication. Greg asks Keary about [...]

Ep. 127 – State of Emergency: Dr. Jay Butler, Alaska Dept. of Health and Human Services

2019-01-11T09:19:34-05:00September 13th, 2017|Legal/Legislation, Podcasts|

Greg interviews Dr. Jay Butler, the Chief Medical Officer and Director of the Division of Public Health at the Alaska Department of Health and Human Services. He is also the Chairman of the Alaska Opioid Policy Task Force, a partnership between the Alaskan Advisory Board on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, Mental Health [...]

Ep. 126 – Mike Tobin, U.S. Attorney’s Office in Cleveland

2019-01-11T09:19:00-05:00September 6th, 2017|Criminal Justice, Podcasts|

Greg interviews Mike Tobin, the Community and Public Affairs Specialist with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Cleveland, OH. As the Community and Public Affairs Specialist, Mike oversees the office’s interactions with both the media and the community, covering a multitude of high profile cases, including those relating to the opioid epidemic. Greg [...]

Ep. 122 – Medicaid Expansion and Healthcare Reform: Lydia Ramsey and Jay Ruais, Healthcare Reform

2019-01-11T09:16:24-05:00August 22nd, 2017|Podcasts|

Greg interviews Lydia Ramsey, a reporter for Business Insider, covering pharmaceutical, biotech industries, and healthcare. He also interviews Jay Ruais, the Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Government Affairs for the Addiction Policy Forum in Washington, D.C. Both Lydia and Jay have closely followed Congress’ decisions on healthcare reform.   Greg [...]

Ep. 121 – A Direct Line to Treatment: Thom Olmstead, Orlando Howard, St. Vincent Charity Medical Center

2019-01-11T09:15:51-05:00August 17th, 2017|Community Outreach, Podcasts, Treatment/Programs|

Greg interviews Thom Olmstead, the Director of University Partner Collaborations at St. Vincent Charity Medical Center, as well as Orlando Howard, the Manager of Outpatient Treatment Services at Rosary Hall. The St. Vincent Charity Medical Center and Rosary Hall are currently running a pilot program that offers free Uber rides to those [...]

Ep. 119 – Increasing Pain Management Education: Dr. Phyllis L. Hendry, University of Florida

2019-01-11T09:14:57-05:00August 8th, 2017|Education, Podcasts|

Greg interviews Dr. Phyllis L. Hendry, a professor of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics, and the Assistant Chair of Research in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Florida’s College of Medicine in Jacksonville, Florida. Dr. Hendry and her team have developed an online education patient safety initiative called P.A.M.I. (Pain [...]

Ep. 118 – Fighting Misperceptions on Adolescent Substance Abuse: Dr. Sarah Friebert, Akron Children’s Hospital

2020-01-28T16:22:38-05:00August 3rd, 2017|Community Outreach, Podcasts, Treatment/Programs|

Greg interviews Dr. Sarah Friebert, the Director of Pediatric Palliative Care at Akron Children’s Hospital. The Pediatric Palliative Care Center provides care to children that are affected by complex, chronic, or serious conditions. Greg asks Dr. Friebert about the truth behind the perception that heroin usage begins after high school. She explains [...]

Ep. 117 – (In)Dependent: The Heroin Project: Emelia Sherin, Kent State University

2019-01-11T09:10:18-05:00August 1st, 2017|Community Outreach, Podcasts, Stories|

Greg interviews Emelia Sherin, a sophomore public relations student at Kent State University. Emelia recently wrote a play covering the perspective and daily struggle of those suffering from substance abuse disorder. Greg asks Emelia about her own experiences and what inspired the play. She explains that outside of what she’s seen and [...]

Ep. 115 – Increasing Education on Over-Prescribing: Dr. Martin Klapheke, University of Central Florida

2019-01-11T08:58:35-05:00July 25th, 2017|Education, Podcasts|

Greg interviews Dr. Martin Klapheke, the Assistant Dean of Medical Education and Professor of Psychiatry at The University of Central Florida. Dr. Klapheke and his team have developed a new opioid-related curriculum to help medical students fully understand how to safely treat substance abuse disorder and prevent the over-prescribing of opioids. Greg [...]

Ep. 114 – Building an Accessible Resource: Bill Ayars, The Emerald Jenny Foundation

2019-01-11T08:58:12-05:00July 20th, 2017|Community Outreach, Podcasts|

Greg interviews Bill Ayars, the founder of The Emerald Jenny Foundation, a comprehensive database of recovery resources in Ohio. Created in memory of his daughter Jennifer Emerald Ayars, the foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping families find treatment for their loved ones. Greg asks Bill about the challenges he and [...]

Ep. 112 – Helping a Community Help Themselves: Dr. Geoffery Capraro, Brown University

2020-01-28T14:47:08-05:00July 13th, 2017|Harm Reduction, Podcasts|

Greg interviews Dr. Geoffrey Capraro, an assistant professor of Emergency Medicine at Brown University. Dr. Capraro has developed an emergency kit, called NaloxBox that makes Naloxone publicly available to bystander rescuers. Greg asks Dr. Capraro about how he first came up with the idea for the NaloxBox and why it’s so important [...]

Ep. 110 – Trapped in a Cycle of Relapse: State Attorney Dave Aronberg, Palm Beach County

2019-01-10T16:58:10-05:00July 6th, 2017|Education, Legal/Legislation, Podcasts|

Greg interviews Dave Aronberg, the State Attorney of Palm Beach County, Florida. Mr. Aronberg established a Sober Homes Task Force to combat the numerous flop-houses and fake treatment centers that have popped up around Delray Beach. Greg asks the State Attorney about how this problem developed and has continued to thrive. He [...]

Ep. 109 – Uniting Faith and Community in Outreach: Rosalie Canfield, Hope Over Heroin

2019-01-10T16:48:12-05:00July 3rd, 2017|Community Outreach, Podcasts|

Greg interviews Rosalie Canfield, the Director of Operations for Hope Over Heroin. Hope Over Heroin is a collaborative, faith-based organization that aims to unite addiction and recovery resources in one location, so that those suffering from substance abuse disorders can find the help they need. Greg asks Rosalie about how Hope Over [...]

Ep. 108 – Removing Obstacles for Recovery: Capt. Park, Dr. Andric, & Dr. Schlosser, Palm Beach

2020-01-28T16:26:26-05:00June 29th, 2017|Community Outreach, Podcasts|

Greg interviews Capt. Houston Park, Dr. Belma Andric, and Dr. Marc Schlosser about their work on a new Subxone pilot program in Palm Beach, Florida.  The program, modeled after a similar program at Yale-New Haven Hospital in Connecticut, involves a five step process to help those suffering from opioid use disorder get [...]

Ep. 107 – A Community Effort: Bud Lytle, Chilicothe Police Department

2020-01-28T17:03:15-05:00June 27th, 2017|Community Outreach, Legal/Legislation, Podcasts|

Greg interviews Officer Bud Lytle, a Public Information and Crime Prevention Officer for the Chilicothe Police Department.  Bud and his department have shifted from traditional police tactics to approaches more in line with social work to help combat the growing opioid epidemic in their county. Greg asks Bud about how the Chilicothe [...]

Ep. 106 – Hub & Spoke, Creating a Continuum of Care: Barbara Cimaglio, Vermont Department of Health

2019-01-10T16:45:46-05:00June 22nd, 2017|Community Outreach, Podcasts, Treatment/Programs|

Greg interviews Barbara Cimaglio, the Deputy Commissioner for the Vermont Department of Health. In 2012, Barbara and her department initiated the establishment of a “hub and spoke” model to address the growing opioid epidemic in their state. The model, referred to as the Care Alliance for Opioid Addiction, works to address the [...]

Ep. 105 – Addressing Substance Abuse Trauma: LeeAnne Cornyn, Director of the Children’s Initiative

2019-01-10T16:45:21-05:00June 21st, 2017|Legal/Legislation, Podcasts|

Greg interviews LeeAnne Cornyn, the director of the Children’s Initiative at Attorney General Mike Dewine’s office. Leanne has been working on a new child protective services program called START – Sobriety Treatment and Reducing Trauma – which, aims to provide support for children and parents who have been affected by substance abuse. [...]

Ep. 104 – How to Be a Respectable Junkie: Greg Vovos, Dobama Theatre

2019-01-10T16:44:08-05:00June 13th, 2017|Community Outreach, Family Stories, Podcasts, Prevention, Recovery Stories, Stories|

Greg interviews Greg Vovos, a playwright and director who has worked in Cleveland theater since 1998. While Greg has written a myriad of plays, he’s also worked consistently for the Theatre of Healthy Living at the Fine Arts Association; crafting plays for high schools, detention centers, and youth prisons about issues like [...]

Ep. 102 – Simplifying the Search for Providers: Tim Elliott, The Dalton Foundation

2019-01-10T16:43:17-05:00June 12th, 2017|Community Outreach, Family Stories, Podcasts, Recovery, Recovery Stories|

Greg interviews Tim Elliott, the Executive Director of Re-Entry & Addiction Recovery at The Dalton Foundation, which has worked to provide assistance to organizations meeting the medical needs of the less fortunate since 2001. Though he first began his career in cars, Tim has spent the past thirty years as an advocate [...]

Ep. 101 – Bringing the Church into the Fray: Pastor Greg Delaney, Faith Collaborator

2019-01-10T16:42:53-05:00June 6th, 2017|Community Outreach, Family Stories, Podcasts, Recovery, Recovery Stories|

Greg interviews Pastor Greg Delaney, the faith collaborator for Attorney General Mike DeWine’s Heroin/Outreach Unit. As the faith collaborator, Pastor Delaney travels with Attorney General DeWine and speaks to church communities and other faith leaders on how they can better address the heroin epidemic. Greg asks Pastor Delaney about recovery churches, their set [...]

Ep. 100 – Rapid Detox and Recovery Retention: Wendy Komac, Luna Living

2019-01-10T16:42:34-05:00June 2nd, 2017|Podcasts, Prevention, Recovery, Stories, Treatment/Programs|

Greg interviews Wendy Komac, the CEO and Founding Partner of Luna Living, and Justin, who is currently a patient in recovery. Luna Living is an accredited partial hospitalization and outpatient facility for substance abuse disorders and outpatient mental health care. They aim to treat substance abuse disorders by addressing chronic brain diseases in [...]

Ep. 99 – Digital Support on Demand: Brian Bailys, Ascent

2019-01-10T16:41:49-05:00May 30th, 2017|Community Outreach, Family Stories, Podcasts, Prevention, Recovery Stories, Treatment/Programs|

Greg interviews Brian Bailys, the founder of Ascent, which specializes in connecting peer recovery coaches with those in recovery through a smart phone app. Together they speak with David, one of Brian’s client’s that’s currently in recovery and using the Ascent mobile app. Greg asks David about his experience with the app and [...]

Ep. 98 – Pre-Booking Law Enforcement Treatment Program Making a Difference In Montgomery County, MD

2019-01-10T16:40:12-05:00May 25th, 2017|Criminal Justice, Harm Reduction, Legal/Legislation, Podcasts, Prevention|

Greg interviews Jac A. Charlier, the National Director for Justice Initiatives at TASC (Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities) in Chicago, Illinois. Jac was instrumental in the creation of STEER (Stop, Triage, Engage, Educate and Rehabilitate) a pre-booking law enforcement and drug treatment linkage program operating in Montgomery County, Maryland. Like many police deflection [...]

Ep. 97 – Utilizing Personal Motivators to Overcome Addiction: Chris Wilkins, ACHESS Mobile Health

2019-01-10T16:39:30-05:00May 23rd, 2017|Family Stories, Harm Reduction, Podcasts, Prevention, Recovery Stories|

Greg interviews Chris Wilkins, the CEO of CHESS Mobile Health. CHESS aims to propagate mobile health resources that increase health service delivery system efficiency, provide users with a sense of control, and inspire others to inform and evolve new health tools. One such tool is CHESS’ recovery app, ACHESS, which provides ongoing support [...]

Ep. 96 – Expanded Medicaid Coverage and Government Funding: Andrew Joseph, STAT

2019-01-10T16:39:09-05:00May 18th, 2017|Harm Reduction, Legal/Legislation, Legislation, Podcasts, Recovery|

Greg interviews Andrew Joseph, a journalist at The Boston Globe affiliated STAT. STAT focuses on finding and telling compelling stories about health, medicine, and scientific discovery. As a general assignment reporter, Andrew has covered a multitude of topics ranging from crime to health policy – including the recent repeal of the ACA and [...]

Ep. 95 – Mending Burnt Bridges and Building Support: Sheriff John Tharp, D.A.R.T.

2019-01-10T16:38:32-05:00May 16th, 2017|Criminal Justice, Harm Reduction, Legal/Legislation, Podcasts, Prevention, Recovery|

Greg interviews John Tharp, a sheriff in Lucas County, Ohio, responsible for launching the Drug Abuse Response Team (D.A.R.T.). Founded in 2014, the D.A.R.T. program aims to make a difference in the opioid epidemic in Western Ohio by aiding in the treatment, education, and support of those suffering from substance abuse, as well [...]

Ep. 94 – Preparing Inmates for Outpatient Treatment after Prison: John Wetzel, PA Corrections

2019-01-10T16:37:51-05:00May 11th, 2017|Criminal Justice, Harm Reduction, Podcasts, Recovery, Treatment/Programs|

Greg interviews John Wetzel, Secretary of Corrections at the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. Secretary Wetzel helped found a pilot program that combats substance abuse among inmates through the administration of Vivitrol – a medication that reduces drug cravings and blocks the “high” many users feel while under the influence. Initially implemented at SCI [...]

Ep. 93 – Receiving Treatment Without Leaving Home: Megan Peterson, Telemedicine

2019-01-10T16:36:47-05:00May 9th, 2017|Harm Reduction, Podcasts, Recovery, Treatment/Programs|

Greg interviews Megan Peterson, the Executive Director of 2nd Chance Counseling Service. With over 15 years of counseling experience, Megan overseas telemedicine treatment for those suffering with substance abuse at 2nd Chance. In the podcast, Megan and Greg discuss telemedicine and how it could solve the overwhelming demand for treatment within the opioid [...]

Ep. 92 – Reclaiming Life Through Athletic Recovery: Scott Strode, Phoenix Multisport

2019-01-10T16:36:15-05:00May 4th, 2017|Community Outreach, Family Stories, Podcasts, Recovery, Recovery Stories, Treatment/Programs|

Greg is joined by Jessica Nickel, the CEO and founder of the Addiction Policy Forum. Together, they interview Scott Strode, the CEO and founder of Phoenix Multisport—a unique recovery community teaching those struggling with substance abuse the skills and disciplines to stay sober via athletic training. Greg asks Scott about how Phoenix Multisport [...]

Ep. 91 – Why Hair Drug Tests are the Best Option: Dr. George Elder, Psychemedics

2019-01-10T16:35:48-05:00May 2nd, 2017|Education, Family Stories, Podcasts, Prevention, Recovery|

Greg interviews Dr. George Elder, the Vice President of Schools and Colleges for Psychemedics Corporation--the world leader in drug testing using hair follicles. After utilizing Psychemedics’ drug testing services as a school Headmaster back in 2005, Dr. Elder became a leader in the advocacy of school drug testing. Greg asks Dr. Elder why, [...]

Ep. 90 – Taking Small Steps Toward Recovery in Emergency Rooms: Michelle Harter, AnchorED

2019-01-10T16:35:27-05:00April 27th, 2017|Podcasts, Recovery, Recovery Stories, Treatment/Programs|

Greg interviews Michelle Harter, the Associate Director of Anchor Recovery Community Centers—a recovery support group, engaged in the building and development of recovery culture in Rhode Island. Michelle was also the primary architect of AnchorED, a special program connecting people admitted to emergency rooms, for opioid related reasons, with trained recovery coaches. Michelle [...]

Ep. 89 – Why the NFL Doesn’t Follow Prescription Drug Regulations: Rick Maese, The Washington Post

2019-01-10T16:35:04-05:00April 25th, 2017|Education, Harm Reduction, Podcasts, Prevention|

Greg interviews Rick Maese, a sports features writer for The Washington Post. The Washington Post has had an interest in football and the health and safety issues within the sport for many years. In a recent article about the National Football League’s (NFL) abuse of painkillers, Rick did extensive reporting and research on [...]

Ep. 88 – Bridging the Gap in Community Treatment: Chris Hickey, Safe Stations

2019-01-10T16:34:24-05:00April 20th, 2017|Community Outreach, Harm Reduction, Podcasts, Recovery|

Greg is joined by Jessica Nickel, the CEO and founder of the Addiction Policy Forum. Together, they interview Chris Hickey, an EMS Officer from the Manchester Fire Department in New Hampshire. Chris is the creator of the Safe Stations program, a service that’s transforming New Hampshire fire stations into non-judgmental locations where people [...]

Ep. 87 – Increased Border Screening to Keep America Fentanyl Free: Senator Sherrod Brown

2019-01-10T16:33:44-05:00April 13th, 2017|Legal/Legislation, Legislation, Podcasts, Prevention|

Greg interviews Senator Sherrod Brown, the senior United States Senator for Ohio. Prior to his election to office in 2007, Senator Brown served as a United States Representative for Ohio’s 13th Congressional District. He also has prior experience as the Ohio Secretary of State, teaching in Ohio’s public schools and working on his [...]

Ep. 86 – Why Trauma Issues Need to Be Addressed Early: Joel Mowery, Mental Health & Recovery Board

2019-01-10T16:33:13-05:00April 11th, 2017|Community Outreach, Harm Reduction, Podcasts, Prevention, Recovery, Stories|

Greg interviews Joel Mowrey, the Executive Director of The Mental Health and Recovery Board of Portage County. Kelly Hart, a recovering addict, also joins the duo. Located in Portage County, Ohio, The Mental Health and Recovery Board is primarily a funding, monitoring and planning agency. By contracting with outside agencies, the board provides [...]

Ep. 85 – How a Phone Service Acts Fast to Help Those in Need: Nick Bianco, WRC

2019-01-10T16:30:14-05:00April 7th, 2017|Family Stories, Harm Reduction, Podcasts, Recovery, Recovery Stories|

Greg interviews Nick Bianco, the champion of Wadsworth Recovery Connection (WRC) in the City of Wadsworth, Medina County, Ohio. As a recovering addict, Nick is deeply committed to helping others suffering from substance abuse regain their lives. He is responsible for bringing WRC to Summit County. WRC is a phone-based service within the [...]

Ep. 84 – Sticking with Christ for Total Transformation: Ken Hawkins, Really Recovered

2019-01-10T16:29:51-05:00April 4th, 2017|Family Stories, Podcasts, Recovery, Recovery Stories, Stories, Treatment/Programs|

Greg interviews Ken Hawkins, the Founder of Really Recovered and a recovering alcoholic and addict. Really Recovered is a recovery church rooted in Christian faith and the firm belief that total transformation is gained through a relationship with Christ. Ken himself has struggled with substance abuse since the age of 11. He shares [...]

Ep. 83 – How A Bottle of Water Became the Tipping Point: Rob Brandt, Robby’s Voice

2019-01-10T16:29:02-05:00March 30th, 2017|Community Outreach, Family Stories, Harm Reduction, Podcasts, Stories|

Greg interviews Rob Brandt, the Founder of Robby’s Voice. Rob lost his son Robby to opioids in 2011. In the wake of Robby’s death, a notebook of his was found containing plans to help those suffering from substance abuse. Robby’s Voice was created to bring life to that vision. Rob discusses his son’s [...]

Ep. 82 – Overcoming a Difficult Upbringing and Giving Back: Jessica Nickel, Addiction Policy Forum

2019-01-10T16:28:30-05:00March 28th, 2017|Podcasts, Treatment/Programs|

Greg interviews Jessica Nickel, the Executive Director of the Addiction Policy Forum. The mission of the Addiction Policy Forum is to ensure that addiction is treated as a disease, elevate addiction awareness and improve national policy through a comprehensive response. Jessica herself comes from a background of substance abuse, with many family members [...]

Ep. 81 – Building a Firm Foundation to Fight Substance Abuse: Jessica Nickel, Addiction Policy Forum

2019-01-10T16:28:12-05:00March 23rd, 2017|Podcasts, Treatment/Programs|

Greg interviews Jessica Nickel, the Executive Director of the Addiction Policy Forum. The mission of the forum is to ensure that addiction is treated as a disease, elevate addiction awareness and improve national policy through a comprehensive response. Jessica has been an advocate for those suffering from substance abuse for 26 years. Greg [...]

Ep. 80 – What Makes Faith-Based Recovery Housing Work: Pastor Jerry O’Brien, Hebron Recovery Group

2019-01-10T16:27:50-05:00March 21st, 2017|Podcasts, Treatment/Programs|

Greg interviews Pastor Jerry O’Brien, the Senior Pastor of Faith Harvest Fellowship of Wooster, Ohio and a Founder of the Hebron Recovery Group (HRG), a faith-based living facility of Millersburg, Ohio. Pastor O’Brien has ministered on Christian broadcast programs like the 700 Club, Tri-State Christian Television (TCT) and Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) alongside [...]

Ep. 79 – Making a Difference with a One-Man Task Force: Mike McRill, Sidney Police Department

2019-01-10T16:27:22-05:00March 16th, 2017|Community Outreach, Legal/Legislation, Podcasts|

Greg interviews Mike McRill, a Community Resource Officer from the Sidney Police Department located in Sidney, Ohio and a former middle school teacher. Desiring to do more for his community and live his passion for law enforcement, he joined the Sidney Police Department in 2000. After becoming the Community Resource Officer in 2014, [...]

Ep. 78 – How the Government Funds Substance Abuse Programs: Rob Portman, Ohio Senator

2019-01-10T16:26:56-05:00March 14th, 2017|Legal/Legislation, Podcasts|

Greg interviews Rob Portman, a United States Senator from Cincinnati, Ohio. In September 1996, Senator Portman founded the Coalition for a Drug-Free Greater Cincinnati—now known as PreventionFIRST! The coalition’s purpose is to keep young people free of substance abuse. He was first elected to Senate in 2010, after winning 82 of Ohio’s 88 [...]

Ep. 77 – How an App Helps Youth Stay Drug Free: Andy Duran, LEAD

2019-01-10T16:26:33-05:00March 10th, 2017|Community Outreach, Harm Reduction, Podcasts|

Greg interviews Andy Duran, the Executive Director of LEAD (Linking Efforts Against Drugs). Founded in May 2012, LEAD is a drug prevention coalition based in Lake Forest/Lake Bluff, Illinois. Equipped with years of experience working with youth, Andy has created a new approach to drug prevention with LEAD. The nationally recognized organization offers [...]

Ep. 76 – Bringing Prevention Programs to the Classroom: Kevin Lorson, OAHPRED

2019-01-10T16:25:51-05:00March 7th, 2017|Community Outreach, Podcasts|

Greg interviews Kevin Lorson, the Professor and Program Director of the Health and Physical Education Program at Wright State University. He’s also the President of OAHPERD (The Ohio Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance), which consists of over 3,000 Ohio education professionals. With Kevin’s guidance, OAHPERD is presently working on a [...]

Ep. 75 – Why Harm Reduction Activities Don’t Increase Drug Abuse: Assemb. Rosenthal and Dr. Fox, SIF

2019-01-10T16:25:22-05:00March 3rd, 2017|Education, Harm Reduction, Podcasts|

Greg interviews two experts on Supervised Injection Facilities (SIF). SIFs are controlled healthcare settings, where people can safely inject drugs under clinical supervision. Currently, there are 98 SIF operations in 10 countries around the world. The two experts are: Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal and Addiction Medicine Specialist Dr. Aaron Fox. Both discuss the [...]

Ep. 74 – After Dreamland Pt. 4: Recognizing an Unmet Need and Stepping Up, JoAnna Krohn

2020-01-28T16:42:35-05:00February 28th, 2017|Community Outreach, Podcasts|

Greg interviews JoAnna Krohn, the Founder of SOLACE (Surviving Our Loss and Continuing Everyday). SOLACE is a non-profit organization that provides community for those who’ve lost a loved one to substance abuse. In the wake of her son Wes’ tragic death in 2008, JoAnna shares how she created SOLACE to help others [...]

Ep. 73 – Substance Abuse Prevention Programs for Schools: Jeanne Whalen, The Wall Street Journal

2019-01-10T16:14:01-05:00February 23rd, 2017|Harm Reduction, Podcasts|

Greg interviews Jeanne Whalen, the Deputy Bureau Chief of Health & Sciences at The Wall Street Journal. As a Deputy Bureau Chief of Health & Sciences, Jeanne writes stories that cover the health, science and pharmaceutical industries. She has written numerous articles on the opioid epidemic, including stories that cover topics like: the [...]

Ep. 72 – Choosing Recovery as an Alternative to Prison: Todd Popovich, Rutland Vermont Resident

2019-01-10T16:13:19-05:00February 21st, 2017|Legal/Legislation, Podcasts, Treatment/Programs|

Greg interviews Todd Popovich, a resident of Rutland, Vermont with first-hand experience of the opioid epidemic sweeping the area. Todd, now in recovery, has struggled with substance abuse disorder in the past. He plans to graduate from his recovery program in two weeks, on February 23. He shares more about his [...]

Ep. 71 – After Dreamland Pt. 3: A Biopsychosocial Approach to Substance Abuse, J. Merrick

2019-01-10T16:12:18-05:00February 16th, 2017|Podcasts, Treatment/Programs|

Greg interviews Jason Merrick, the Director of Addiction Services at Kenton County Detention Center in Covington, Kentucky. He also worked with Sam Quinones on his highly-acclaimed book Dreamland. This episode is Part Two in a series of podcasts that will explore life after Dreamland for those who helped Sam with his book. Jason, [...]

Ep. 70 – After Dreamland Pt. 2: The Correlation Between Overdose Deaths and Prescriptions, Dr. Gay

2019-01-10T16:11:13-05:00February 14th, 2017|Education, Podcasts|

Greg interviews Dr. Joe Gay, a Clinical Psychologist, Licensed Chemical Dependency Professional and the Executive Director of Health Recovery Services in Athens, Ohio. He also worked with Sam Quinones on his highly-acclaimed book Dreamland. This episode is Part Two in a series of podcasts that will explore life after Dreamland for those who [...]

Ep. 68 – When Kids Really Start Using Substances: Web and Mason, Hidden In Plain Sight

2019-01-10T16:10:05-05:00February 7th, 2017|Community Outreach, Podcasts|

Greg interviews Paul Web and Marcie Mason about Hidden In Plain Sight. Paul is a Copley Police Department Detective, while Marcie is a Youth Services Worker for both the Copley and Bath Police Departments. Hidden In Plain Sight is an awareness program geared towards parents and other concerned adults. The program strengthens recognition [...]

Ep. 67 – Vermont’s Compassionate Stance: Jennifer Levitz, Wall Street Journal

2019-01-10T16:08:01-05:00February 2nd, 2017|Legal/Legislation, Podcasts|

Greg interviews Jennifer Levitz, reporter with the Wall Street Journal, to discuss what she has learned investigating the opioid epidemic. Jennifer’s recent article, Vermont’s Radical Experiment to Break the Addiction Cycle, tells the story of Todd Popovitch, a former drug user who has been given a second chance under Vermont’s revolutionary new policies [...]

Ep. 66 – How a Company Reaped Billions at the Cost of Hundreds of Lives: Harriet Ryan, LA Times

2019-01-10T16:07:36-05:00January 31st, 2017|Education, Podcasts|

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 [...]

Ep. 65 – The Growth of Addiction in Rural West Virginia: Eric Eyre, Charleston Gazette-Mail

2019-01-10T16:06:02-05:00January 26th, 2017|Education, Podcasts|

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. In December of 2015, he wrote an article on opioid distribution in West Virginia. His team analyzed opioid shipments between 2007 and 2012. Through [...]

Ep. 64 – Why Rural Americans are Falling to Diseases of Despair: Lenny Bernstein, Washington Post

2019-01-10T16:05:00-05:00January 24th, 2017|Education, Podcasts|

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. He elaborates on an article published in October 2016. “My editor asked me to explain how there could be millions of pills on the street if the DEA [...]

Ep. 63 – A Day in the Life of a Heroin Addict: Needle Exchange Pt. 3

2017-07-31T11:00:36-04:00January 19th, 2017|Harm Reduction, Podcasts, Stories|

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 podcast 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. [...]

Ep. 62 – How to Support a Loved One in Early Recovery: Janis Beckett, Chemical Dependency Services

2019-01-10T16:03:10-05:00January 17th, 2017|Education, Podcasts, Stories|

Greg interviews Janis Beckett, the Director of Chemical Dependency Services at the Cleveland Clinic, Akron General Hospital and Edwin Shaw Rehabilitation Hospital. After struggling with substance use disorder for several years, Janis decided to enter the field of Chemical Dependency. She talks about her tough battle with the disease and her recovery. “The [...]

Ep. 61 – Building Student Peer Recovery Communities: Sarah Nerad, OSU Collegiate Recovery Community

2019-01-10T16:02:26-05:00January 12th, 2017|Harm Reduction, Podcasts, Stories|

Greg interviews Sarah Nerad, 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 is in recovery herself, after struggling with addiction since the age of 15. She discusses her substance [...]

Ep. 60 – Supporting Grassroots Opioid Initiatives: Jennifer Biddinger, Director of Drug Abuse Outreach

2019-01-10T15:58:33-05:00January 10th, 2017|Community Outreach, Podcasts|

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. “The first step is to organize key people [...]

Ep. 59 – Students Coming Together to Say No to Drugs: Drug Free Clubs of America

2019-01-10T15:57:54-05:00January 5th, 2017|Community Outreach, Podcasts|

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 [...]

Ep. 58 – Creating a Heartfelt Preventative Effort for Adolescents: Angie Ferguson, DFCA Part One

2019-01-10T15:56:40-05:00January 3rd, 2017|Community Outreach, Podcasts|

Greg interviews Angie Ferguson, the Executive Director of Drug Free Clubs of America (DFCA). Part One discusses the origins of DFCA and the formation of DFCA clubs. Back in 2005, Angie’s father and a colleague told Angie of an idea they had to combat drug abuse. As firefighters, they had witnessed a lack [...]

Ep. 57 – Digging up the Roots of America’s Opioid Epidemic: Sam Quinones, Dreamland

2019-01-10T15:22:17-05:00December 29th, 2016|Education, Podcasts|

Greg interviews Sam Quinones, author of the best-selling book Dreamland. A true tale of America’s opioid epidemic, Dreamland is a poignant and insightful narrative of the current threat sweeping the nation. Sam shares a story of a community pool he encountered in Portsmouth, Ohio to explain why the book is named Dreamland. “I [...]

Ep. 56 – Drug Free Advocacy through Music and Story: Awaken Project

2019-01-10T15:21:34-05:00December 27th, 2016|Community Outreach, Podcasts|

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 [...]

Ep. 55 – Alieving Pain Without Opioids: Dr. Mark Rosenberg, ALTO

2019-01-10T15:19:08-05:00December 22nd, 2016|Podcasts, Treatment/Programs|

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. Started in 2014, ALTO uses things like harp music as a [...]

Ep. 54 – Stopping Substance Abuse via Random Drug Testing: Administrative Team, Lacey Schools

2019-01-10T15:17:04-05:00December 20th, 2016|Legal/Legislation, Podcasts|

Greg interviews an administrative panel from Lacey Township School District, including Superintendent Craig Wigley, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Vanessa Clark, and District Supervisor William Zylinski. The Lacey School District has recently addressed a hot topic by conducting random drug testing in their high school. While the school has always been aware of drug testing, [...]

Ep. 53 – Overcoming Tragedy and Giving Back: Greg McNeil, Cover2 Resources

2020-01-28T16:59:23-05:00December 15th, 2016|Podcasts|

Grace Roberts from 1073 the Wave interviews Greg McNeil Grace Roberts of 107.3 The WAVE interviews Greg McNeil, Founder of Cover2 Resources. Cover2 Resources is a nonprofit organization dedicated to sharing resources with those struggling with substance abuse disorder and their loved ones. Cover2 Resources was born from personal tragedy. Greg lost [...]

Ep. 53 – Overcoming Tragedy and Giving Back: Greg McNeil, Cover2 Resources

2019-01-10T15:14:25-05:00December 15th, 2016|Education, Podcasts, Stories|

Grace Roberts from 1073 the Wave interviews Greg McNeil It’s no secret that arrest, imprisonment, and conviction don’t break addiction. All over the US, civic officials are waking up to the brokenness of the system. Cops and robbers isn’t working. It isn’t saving our sons and daughters. If addiction is a physical brain [...]

Ep. 52 – What to Expect Going into Outpatient Recovery: Dr. Brian Welsh, Coleman Medical Health

2019-01-10T15:04:22-05:00December 13th, 2016|Podcasts, Treatment/Programs|

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 recovery, 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 [...]

Ep. 51 – Bringing the Treatment to the People: Ricardo Tull, Street Teams

2019-01-10T15:02:55-05:00December 8th, 2016|Harm Reduction, Podcasts, Treatment/Programs|

Greg interviews 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 [...]

Ep. 50 – Partnering with PAARI to Save Lives: Sergeant Pat Greenhill, PAARI Part Two

2019-01-10T15:02:02-05:00December 1st, 2016|Community Outreach, Legal/Legislation, Podcasts|

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 [...]

Ep. 49 – The Changing Face of Addiction: Orlando Howard, Outpatient Services

2019-01-10T14:55:38-05:00November 29th, 2016|Podcasts, Treatment/Programs|

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 [...]

Ep. 48 – Reaching the Recovery Community Through Music: Garrett Hart, Rock and Recovery

2019-01-10T14:54:55-05:00November 23rd, 2016|Community Outreach, Podcasts|

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 provides encouragement for each individual journey. [...]

Ep. 47 – Helping Those Addicted to Another’s Addiction: Michael, Nar-Anon Member

2020-01-28T16:15:45-05:00November 15th, 2016|Podcasts, Stories|

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. Michael shares his own daughter’s struggle with addiction and [...]

Ep. 46 – Putting Naloxone in Every Medicine Cabinet: Mark O’Brien, Staying Alive

2020-01-28T14:35:51-05:00November 10th, 2016|Harm Reduction, Podcasts|

Greg interviews Mark O’Brien, the Director of Opioid Overdose Prevention and Treatment for the city of Baltimore. Many U.S. cities have first responders carrying the heroin-antidote naloxone, but in Baltimore they have a loftier goal of getting the lifesaving drug into the medicine cabinet of every resident. Mark discusses this innovative addition to [...]

Ep. 45 – Treating Addiction as a Neurological Disease: Dr. Nicole Labor, Summa Healthcare

2019-01-10T14:49:45-05:00November 8th, 2016|Education, Podcasts|

Dr. Nicole Labor, Addiction Medicine Specialist at Summa Healthcare in Akron, Ohio, once struggled with a heroin addiction that pushed her to pursue a career in addiction treatment. “At the end of school you choose the field you hate the least… [Addiction Medicine] is a field that requires you to be honest and [...]

Ep. 43 – Going Door to Door in Butler County: Jennifer Mason, Fort Hamilton Hospital

2019-01-10T14:45:54-05:00November 1st, 2016|Community Outreach, Podcasts|

Since 2015, Jennifer Mason and her staff have been working to respond to the opioid epidemic in Butler County with an opiate task force.  Jennifer is the Fort Hamilton Hospital EMS Coordinator and the Founder of Fort’s Opiate Recovery Task Force (FORT) and its Golden Ticket Program, a program for addicts who come [...]

Ep. 42 – Knowing When Addicts Are Ready for Suboxone: Minda Jaramillo, Director of Behavioral Health

2019-01-10T14:40:40-05:00October 27th, 2016|Podcasts, Treatment/Programs|

The suboxone program of First Choice Community Healthcare (FCCH) of Albuquerque, New Mexico, has seen great success over the past few years. Minda Jaramillo, Director of Behavioral Health at FCCH, discusses the program and how it uniquely treats opioid addicts. In 2014, FCCH served 700 patients within its suboxone program. Unfortunately, Minda says [...]

Ep. 41 – Genetic Testing Reveals Overdose Threshold: Dr. Jeanette Moleski, Addiction Specialist

2019-01-10T14:36:50-05:00October 25th, 2016|Education, Podcasts|

Dr. Jeanette Moleski has 26 years of experience as a DO running a family practice in Hudson, Ohio. Over the last 10 years, Dr. Moleski has specialized in the field of addiction recovery.  She was a round table participant in the Facing Addiction Caucus at this year’s Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Genetic [...]

Ep. 40 – Creating a Safe Space with SPOT: Dr. Jessie Gaeta, Boston Health Care

2019-01-10T14:35:53-05:00October 20th, 2016|Harm Reduction, Podcasts|

In response to opioid overdoses in Boston, Dr. Jessie Gaeta devised a safe space for rehabilitation called SPOT. She is the Chief Medical Officer of the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program or BHCHP. SPOT (Supportive Place for Observation and Treatment) was made with the goal of preventing fatal overdoses in mind. [...]

Ep. 39 – How Overprescribing Can Lead to Addiction: Troy Gahm, Gahm’s Pharmacy

2019-01-10T14:34:29-05:00October 18th, 2016|Education, Podcasts|

Greg interviews Troy Gahm, the Owner and Operator of Gahm’s Pharmacy in Lucasville Ohio. As a licensed pharmacist, Troy was quoted in Dreamland, a novel about the opioid epidemic in America. After founding the pharmacy in 1996, Troy has encountered problems with the opioid epidemic. He talks about what he has witnessed in [...]

Ep. 38 – How Drug Court Encourages Recovery: Judge Thomas Teodosio, Summit County

2019-01-10T14:31:25-05:00October 13th, 2016|Legal/Legislation, Podcasts, Treatment/Programs|

Judge Thomas Teodosio runs a compassionate drug court in the Summit County Court of Common Pleas called The Turning Point. He discusses how the special court was founded and the success the court has experienced. Judge Teodosio has been running Summit County’s drug court for the past 8 years. He says the court [...]

Ep. 37 – Equipping Summit County with Narcan: Jerry Craig, Executive Director ADM Board

2019-01-10T14:27:49-05:00October 11th, 2016|Community Outreach, Harm Reduction, Podcasts|

Jerry Craig, the Executive Director of the Summit County Alcohol, Drug, Addiction and Mental Services Board, is working to get Narcan widely distributed in Summit County. He discusses the Summit County Opiate Task Force. Formed in 2014, the task force consists of a group of key individuals and organizations committed to reducing the [...]

Ep. 36 – Benefits of Vivatrol MAT: Allyse Adams, Clinical Administrator

2019-01-10T14:26:48-05:00October 6th, 2016|Podcasts, Treatment/Programs|

Greg interviews Allyse Adams, a Clinical Administrator and Certified Counselor at the Oriana House of Akron, Ohio. Allyse has five years of experience in counseling and specializes in the field of addiction recovery. The Oriana House is a nationally renowned community corrections and chemical dependency treatment facility, providing a multi-step program for rehabilitation. [...]

Ep. 35 – Community Housing Options for Recovering Female Addicts: Erin Helms, Woodrow Project

2019-01-10T12:42:31-05:00October 4th, 2016|Podcasts, Treatment/Programs|

Greg interviews Erin Helms, the Executive Director of the Woodrow Project located in Parma, Ohio. The mission of the Woodrow Project is to provide a safe, stable and supportive environment for women in recovery. Gina and Andrea join Erin and Greg for the interview. Gina is a Recovery Support Specialist at The Woodrow [...]

Ep. 34 – The New Wave of Drug Law Enforcement: Mayor Dan Horrigan, Akron OH

2019-01-10T12:41:31-05:00September 29th, 2016|Legal/Legislation, Podcasts|

It’s no secret that arrest, imprisonment, and conviction don’t break addiction. All over the US, civic officials are waking up to the brokenness of the system. Cops and robbers isn’t working. It isn’t saving our sons and daughters. If addiction is a physical brain disease, why don’t we get to the root of [...]

Ep. 33 – Getting Addicts the Help They Need: Donna Skoda, Public Health Commissioner

2019-01-10T12:40:58-05:00September 27th, 2016|Community Outreach, Harm Reduction, Podcasts|

Greg interviews Donna Skoda, the Public Health Commissioner of Summit County. Donna has been with the Department of Public Health since 2000. She has been working as the Public Health Commissioner of Summit County for a little over a year. The mission of Summit County Public Health is to protect and advance the [...]

Ep. 32 – Getting Sober in Prison and Staying Sober: Nicole Argenio, Recovery Coach

2019-01-10T12:39:52-05:00September 22nd, 2016|Podcasts, Stories, Treatment/Programs|

Greg interviews Nicole Argenio, a former opioid addict. Nicole is an addiction recovery coach at the Oriana House in Akron, OH. The Oriana House is dedicated to assisting people in overcoming their substance dependencies and providing multi-step rehabilitation. As a former addict, Nicole shares her struggle with addiction. She was prescribed opioids as [...]

Ep. 31 – How Arrest Can Lead to Addiction Recovery: Captain Michael Shearer, Akron Police Department

2019-01-10T12:38:32-05:00September 20th, 2016|Legal/Legislation, Podcasts|

Greg interviews Captain Michael Shearer, Captain of the Akron Police Department Narcotics Division. Captain Shearer has spent 25 years on the police force, in various roles. He has been Captain of the Police Department since 2005. Akron has experienced a tragic spike in heroin overdoses this summer. In July, first responder calls went [...]

Ep. 30 – Championing Addiction: Nicole Walmsley, Police Assisted Recovery and Addiction Initiative

2019-01-10T12:33:46-05:00September 15th, 2016|Harm Reduction, Legal/Legislation, Podcasts, Stories|

Greg interviews Nicole Walmsley, State Representative of the Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative. Through her efforts, the initiative is now active in the city of Lodi’s police department. The initiative works to support the Gloucester Police addiction initiative, to aid other police departments, and to foster a dialogue for police departments to [...]

Ep. 29 – Break the Stigma of Addiction: Travis Bornstein, Founder of Breaking Barriers

2019-01-10T12:28:29-05:00September 13th, 2016|Community Outreach, Podcasts, Stories|

Travis discusses the stigma of addiction and how we can break it through unity and love. He is the founder of Breaking Barriers – Hope is Alive, located in Uniontown, OH. Breaking Barriers – Hope is Alive is a resource for people and families who are struggling with the disease of addiction. Through [...]

Ep. 28 – Good Samaritan Law Follow-up: Robert Sprague, Ohio State Representative

2020-01-28T15:58:51-05:00September 12th, 2016|Harm Reduction, Legal/Legislation, Podcasts|

Greg interviews Robert Sprague, Ohio State Representative. He represents the 83rd District in the Ohio House of Representatives. Since Robert has been in office, he has been associated with the passing of 14 bills for opioid addiction legislation. The Good Samaritan Law goes into effect on September 13, 2016. Greg asks Representative [...]

Ep. 27 – Treating the Opioid Disorder: Dr. Christina Delos Reyes, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Addiction

2019-01-10T12:25:03-05:00September 8th, 2016|Education, Podcasts, Treatment/Programs|

Dr. Christina Delos Reyes discusses how she got into the field of psychiatry and addiction, as well as the severity of opioid addiction from a medical perspective. She is the Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Addiction at University Hospital’s Case Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio. As an academic medical center, the hospital is [...]

Ep. 26 -Finding Hope in the Darkness: Ted St. John, Director of Operations First Step Recovery

2019-01-10T12:19:12-05:00September 6th, 2016|Podcasts, Stories, Treatment/Programs|

Greg talks with Ted St. John, the Director of Operations at First Step Recovery. First Step Recovery is substance addiction detox center located in Warren, Ohio. Ted himself is a recovering addict who has struggled with opioid and alcohol addiction. Ted has faced several addictions in his life thus far, one of those [...]

Ep. 25 – Beat the Odds Together: Daniel Meloy, Director of Public Safety Colerain Township

2019-01-10T12:17:40-05:00September 1st, 2016|Harm Reduction, Legal/Legislation, Podcasts|

A recent overdose crisis in Cincinnati, Ohio on August 27, 2016 made headlines after the city dealt with 78 overdoses over a span of 2 days. The USA Today article on the tragedy referenced the outstanding overdose statistics of Hamilton County, located just north of Cincinnati. The county reported having a 35% decrease [...]

Ep. 24 – Speak Up to Save a Life: Wayne Campbell, President of Tyler’s Light

2019-01-10T12:16:59-05:00August 30th, 2016|Community Outreach, Podcasts, Stories|

Greg interviews Wayne Campbell, the president of Tyler’s Light. Tyler’s Light is a resource for those in Pickerington and Fairfield County, Ohio focused on preventing drug addiction. The foundation sheds light on the severity of drug addiction via community engagement, awareness, education and support. Like Greg, Wayne Campbell knows the pain of losing [...]

Ep. 23 – Voicing the Silent Epidemic: Dr. Gary Martin, Former Detective and Founder of NOPE

2019-01-10T12:15:30-05:00August 25th, 2016|Community Outreach, Podcasts|

Dr. Gary Martin discusses the opioid epidemic in Palm Beach County-Florida. He is a Former Detective for the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office in the Department of Violent Crimes. He is the Dean of Students at Lynn University and one of the founders of the NOPE Task Force, the Narcotics Overdose Prevention and [...]

Ep. 22 – Treating Addiction Comprehensively: Dr. Brown, Chief Medical Officer Meridian HealthCare

2019-01-10T12:12:00-05:00August 23rd, 2016|Podcasts, Treatment/Programs|

Dr. Brown discusses the options of treatment for opioid addicts at Meridian HealthCare, located in Youngstown, Ohio. Dr. Brown is the Doctor of Osteopathic medicine and the Chief Medical Officer at Meridian HealthCare. The facility is a community based, integrated agency with a goal of serving individuals and families struggling with addiction. Meridian [...]

Ep. 21 – Working Together to Fight Heroin Overdoses: Gordon Merry, Cabell County EMS Director

2019-01-10T12:11:12-05:00August 18th, 2016|Legal/Legislation, Podcasts|

Huntington, West Virginia made headlines this past Monday, August 15, 2016, after 26 people overdosed on heroin in the span of only 4 hours. Thankfully, there were no deaths and everyone who overdosed survived due to the quick response time of emergency services. Gordon Merry, EMS Director, acted quickly and diverted his resources [...]

Ep. 20 – Reading the Signs of Addiction: Detective Piatchek, Palm Beach County Sheriff Dept.

2019-01-10T12:08:47-05:00August 16th, 2016|Education, Podcasts|

Detective Piatchek discusses how to detect the signs of opioid addiction in a family member and how to potentially prevent an overdose. Detective Piatchek works in the Palm Beach County Sheriff Office in the Violent Crimes and Homicide Division. Detective Piatchek was on scene for Sam’s overdose. Greg asks Piatchek what he found [...]

Ep. 19 – The Need for a New Ethics of Prescribing: George Loucas, Loucas Law

2019-01-10T12:07:55-05:00August 11th, 2016|Education, Legal/Legislation, Podcasts|

George Loucas discusses the increase of the opioid epidemic over the last 10 years. Mr. Loucas is the founder of Loucas Law, a medical malpractice firm that specializes in wrongful death cases involving prescription opiates. Loucas Law’s first case was about 10 years ago. It involved a person who had taken too many [...]

Unavailable

2017-06-07T14:05:32-04:00August 9th, 2016|Podcasts|

This episode is no longer available. Click here to listen to our latest podcasts or click here to view our archive. Cover2 Resources and Videos

Ep. 17 – Choosing Recovery Housing: Denny Wilson, F I Community Housing

2019-01-10T12:06:49-05:00August 4th, 2016|Community Outreach, Education, Podcasts, Stories|

Denny founded F I Community Housing in 1995. Today, it’s Ohio’s largest peer-operated recovery community. Denny’s past informs his present mission in fighting the opioid epidemic: by the age of 25, he was addicted to several drugs, including heroin, crack cocaine, and alcohol. After he went through a 21-day recovery program, Denny was [...]

Ep. 15 – Good Samaritan Overdose Law: Robert Sprague, Ohio State Representative

2019-01-10T12:05:59-05:00July 12th, 2016|Legal/Legislation, Podcasts|

Greg interviews Ohio State Representative Robert Sprague, 83rd House District. As chairman of the Finance Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, Representative Sprague brings an important perspective to the fight against the opioid epidemic: since taking office, he has sponsored or endorsed 14 pieces of opioid-related legislation. Greg asks why the opioid epidemic [...]

Ep. 13 – When They’re Ready To Get Help: Lori Criss, OH Council of Behavioral Health & Family Svcs

2019-01-10T12:04:16-05:00July 11th, 2016|Education, Podcasts|

Greg interviews Lori Criss, Associate Director of the Ohio Council of Behavioral, Health, and Family Service Providers. Lori discusses the path which families should take in helping an addicted loved one who is ready to get treatment. Greg asks Lori how the Council helps families who are experiencing this crisis. Lori says, “As [...]

Ep. 12 – What Portsmouth Teaches Families of Addicts: Ed Hughes, The Counseling Center

2019-01-10T11:55:04-05:00July 11th, 2016|Education, Podcasts|

Greg interviews Ed Hughes, CEO of The Counseling Center, Portsmouth, OH. Ed talks about the lessons which families can learn from the national opiate epidemic that started in Portsmouth. Ed traces a short history of the Portsmouth epidemic—how storefront pain clinics legally prescribed opiates and eventually drew out-of-state customers. Then he discusses what [...]

Ep. 10 – How Narcan Is Saving Lives: Interview with Emily Metz, Project DAWN

2020-01-28T14:38:37-05:00July 11th, 2016|Community Outreach, Harm Reduction, Podcasts|

Greg interviews Emily Metz, program coordinator at Project DAWN, an opioid overdose education and naloxone distribution (OEND) program. The acronym DAWN stands for “deaths avoided with naloxone,” and that’s exactly what the program accomplishes. Naloxone, also known as narcan, is the antidote to any type of opiate overdose. The program distributes naloxone [...]

Ep. 9 – Helping Your Addicted Child Get Treatment: Interview with David Sigal, LOUD Life

2020-01-28T16:39:13-05:00July 11th, 2016|Community Outreach, Podcasts, Stories|

Greg interviews David Sigal, founder of the LOUD Life Foundation. David is a former addict who turned his life around with the love and support of family. Now, David is giving back. LOUD Life seeks to empower and inspire addicts to change their lives. LOUD stands for “Live Out Ur Dreams,” and [...]

Episode 8 – Season 2 Preview

2017-07-31T10:37:19-04:00June 20th, 2016|Education, Podcasts|

Cover2 Resources Podcast | Season 2 | Coming July 28, 2016 In Episode 8 of the Cover2 Resources Podcast, Greg recaps everything we covered in Season 1. He also preps us for Season 2 of the Cover2 Resources Podcast, which launches July 28, 2016. In Season 2, we’ll hear from Tom Stuber, CEO of The [...]

Episode 6 – Chico Lewis & Roger Lowe, Needle Exchange, Part Two

2020-01-28T16:19:24-05:00June 16th, 2016|Community Outreach, Harm Reduction, Podcasts, Stories|

In this episode of the Cover2 Podcast, Greg continues his interview with Chico Lewis and Roger Lowe on-site at the Free Clinic Needle Exchange in Cleveland. They discuss the alarming growth of the opioid epidemic, particularly the effect which Chico has seen from the increasing use of fentanyl. Chico discusses the emotional [...]

Episode 4 – Robin Star, Family Addiction Coach

2019-01-10T10:42:50-05:00June 16th, 2016|Harm Reduction, Podcasts, Stories, Treatment/Programs|

In this episode of the Cover2 Podcast, Greg interviews Robin Star, a certified coach who helps families of opiate addicts. Robin uses a science-based program that’s backed by 40 years of clinical research. Robin discovered the tragedy of addiction in her own life when a family member went into this crisis. Robin didn’t [...]

Episode 2 – Bill Gilliland, Treatment Alternatives (Boca House)

2019-01-10T10:07:04-05:00June 8th, 2016|Podcasts, Stories, Treatment/Programs|

In this episode of the Cover2 Resources Podcast, Greg McNeil, Founder and President, interviews Bill Gilliland, the Chief Operating Officer of Treatment Alternatives in Boca Raton, Florida. Treatment Alternatives, also known as the “Boca House,” is the last place where Greg’s son Sam underwent rehab. In the Fall of 2013, Sam entered the [...]

Episode 1 – Series Introduction

2017-07-31T10:41:23-04:00May 6th, 2016|Podcasts, Stories|

In the inaugural podcast, Cover2 Resources Founder and President Greg McNeil introduces his son Sam, who was a gifted athlete and a deeply caring person. Sam was exposed to opiates through a prescription for an athletic injury. In a story that is becoming all too familiar, Sam’s use of opiates extended beyond the [...]