Rephonic
Artwork for Crackdown
Harm Reduction
Drug Policy
VANDU
Overdose Crisis
Vancouver
British Columbia
Alcohol
Edge
Drug User Liberation Front
Rainbow
Drug War
Homelessness
Safe Supply
Canada
Indigenous Communities
Managed Alcohol Programs
Pierre Pauliev
On Drugs
Methadone Program
Punk Scene

The drug war, covered by drug users as war correspondents. Crackdown is a monthly podcast about drugs, drug policy and the drug war led by drug user activists and supported by research. Each episode will tell the story of a community fighting for their lives. It’s also about solutions, justice for those we have lost, and saving lives.

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes64Founded7 years ago
Categories
DocumentarySociety & CultureSocial SciencesScience

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Artwork for Crackdown

Latest Episodes

With fascism on the rise around the world, we explore the relationship between Canada’s housing and policing policies and the risk of far right authoritarianism at home.

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Alberta is the involuntary treatment capital of Canada. Since 2006, the province has encouraged parents to waive their children’s rights and force them into detox as part of the Protection of Children Abusing Drugs Act. And in the coming months, Albe... more

We lost another soldier from the front lines. Trey Helten, longtime manager of the Overdose Prevention Society and all around harm reduction hero on the Downtown Eastside has died at 42. Trey saved hundreds of lives. He was a friend to Crackdown and ... more

We lost another soldier from the front lines. Trey Helten, longtime manager of the Overdose Prevention Society and all around harm reduction hero on the Downtown Eastside, has died at 42. Trey saved hundreds of lives. He was a friend to Crackdown and... more

Key Facts

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Contact Information
Podcast Host

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Recent Guests

Shelda Kastor
Activist and long-time member of various organizations in Vancouver's downtown East Side
BC Association of People on Opioid Maintenance and Western Aboriginal Harm Reduction Society
Episode: Episode 51: Goodbye Shelda
Jeannie Seward-McGee
A member of the advocacy group Mom Stop the Harm and mother who lost her son to an overdose
Mom Stop the Harm
Episode: Episode 50: The Toll
Zoe Dodd
Frontline harm reduction worker
Episode: Episode 50: The Toll
Matthew Bond
Harm reduction activist based out of Halifax
CRIZM
Episode: Episode 50: The Toll
Brandy Abel
Member advocating for drug user rights
Episode: Episode 50: The Toll
Cathy Pinero
Drug user activist who provides harm reduction services
Episode: Episode 50: The Toll
Danya Fast
Researcher and academic partner exploring substance use in Vancouver
University of British Columbia
Episode: Episode 49: The Best Place
John Onland
Member of EDGE, an activist for illicit drinker rights
EDGE (Elicit Drinkers for Education)
Episode: Episode 46: The Bench
Brittany Graham
Executive director of VANDU and former EDGE coordinator
VANDU (Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users)
Episode: Episode 46: The Bench

Host

Garth Mullins
Host of the show, Garth Mullins is known for his strong advocacy in drug user rights and brings a personal narrative to the discussions surrounding drug policy and harm reduction.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1.5k ratings
  • Episode 55

    I have been listening to the show for years. It is always informative and covers very important topics. Episode 55 though - this episode is incredible! Definitely going to have to listen to it a couple times. Thank you for all the time and energy you put into this podcast! We all benefit from it.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    treasure.hunter
    United States2 months ago
  • Always exceptional

    Rigorous journalism and poignant storytelling that makes policy analysis accessible, radical, beautiful. Crackdown is one of my core recommendations for anyone who doesn't understand drug use and drug users (especially people who think they do).

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Boot Scootin' Choogie
    United States4 months ago
  • Incredible pod

    I just discovered Crackdown. WOW! What incredible, well done, real, authentic, smart, heartfelt podcast. Garth, you’ve done an incredible job from every aspect. You connect with people that feels so from the heart and real. As a recovering addict- 5.5 yrs- this teaches people about the realities of addiction, staying safe, and the obstacles to getting and staying clean and alive! You’re doing such a good work here! Grateful to be listening

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Anders Brixter
    United States8 months ago
  • Avid listener in Am

    Huge listener for a few years now. The honesty, compassion, empathy, activism, zealous attention to the politics of it, the nuances and pain of losing friends and loved ones who died bc of this continued effort to not support safe use of drugs and provide an actual commercialized market like we do cannabis…. These are some of the themes that have really stood out. To the host, writer and producer: There’s a neuroscientist who teaches at Columbia University who “came out”of the drug closet and f... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    EllenpdxGirl
    United Statesa year ago
  • Really excellent coverage, such a needed perspective in the face of so much politicizing and arms-length reporting.

    Podchaser
    5
    Lady Smith
    a year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the authentic and heartfelt approach to discussing addiction and drug policy.
Many highlight the podcast's educational value and its role in challenging stigmas surrounding drug use.
Some feedback suggests a desire for expanded discussions on solutions and improved policies regarding addiction treatment.
Reviews emphasize strong storytelling, community advocacy, and personal narratives that resonate deeply with the audience.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 55: The Man in the High Castle
Q: What do you think about the mayor's recent announcement on supportive housing?
Mazel's response was strongly against it, expressing anger and disillusionment with the mayor's dismissal of marginalized people.
Episode 55: The Man in the High Castle
Q: Did your mom try to get you back?
Mazel mentioned that her mom was happy she was gone, indicating a lack of concern from her mother.
Episode 55: The Man in the High Castle
Q: What were your folks like?
Mazel described a largely unhappy childhood, with her mother being an alcoholic and having a troubled relationship with her father whom she met late in life.
What happens when you give drug users drugs?
Q: Is there, if there have been times during those 20 plus years that you pondered getting off Methadone as well and being clean, or is that just outside your thinking now?
Garth initially wanted to get off methadone but eventually accepted it as part of his life, realizing it was working for him and not something to rush off from any longer.
What happens when you give drug users drugs?
Q: How did that happen?
Garth reveals that after holding his newborn niece, he felt a connection that motivated him to improve his life and eventually enroll in a methadone program, guided by a recommendation from his drug dealer.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Crackdown

What is Crackdown about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The content explores the multifaceted realities surrounding the drug crisis, drug policy, and the lives of those affected by addiction. Key themes include personal narratives from drug users and their advocates, discussions about harm reduction strategies, and the examination of systemic issues linked to drug-related tragedies. Notably, the discussions highlight the voices of marginalized communities and advocate for compassionate approaches to addiction treatment and drug policy reform. The podcast effectively brings forth the human stories behind the statistics, aiming to foster understanding and empathy while pushing for change in public perception and policy.

Where can I find podcast stats for Crackdown?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Crackdown. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Crackdown and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Crackdown get?

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What are the audience demographics for Crackdown?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Crackdown, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Crackdown have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Crackdown has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Crackdown?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Crackdown:

1. Sandy and Nora talk politics
2. CANADALAND
3. The Daily News
4. Ideas
5. Front Burner

How many episodes of Crackdown are there?

Crackdown launched 7 years ago and published 64 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Crackdown?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Crackdown?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Crackdown from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Crackdown?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Crackdown. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Crackdown?

Recent guests on Crackdown include:

1. Shelda Kastor
2. Jeannie Seward-McGee
3. Zoe Dodd
4. Matthew Bond
5. Brandy Abel
6. Cathy Pinero
7. Danya Fast
8. John Onland

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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