Rephonic
Artwork for Narcotica Podcast
Drug Policy
Harm Reduction
Public Health
Syringe Access
Xylazine
Drug Seizures
Community Health
Law Enforcement
Overdose Rates
Overdose Deaths
Naloxone
Fentanyl
Opioid Crisis
Methadone
Trump Administration
Syringe Access Programs
Covid-19
Opioid Use Disorder
Urban Survivors Union
Drug Testing

A podcast about the war on drugs and the people caught in the middle, brought to you by dedicated science and drug policy journalists Christopher Moraff, Zachary Siegel, and Troy Farah.

PublishesInfrequentlyEpisodes95Founded7 years ago
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Society & Culture

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Artwork for Narcotica Podcast

Latest Episodes

Despite all the nationalism in our country, veterans are too often seen as expendable. Drug use in the military is as common as any other aspect of society, obviously, but increased stigma and consequences pushes most to the shadows. Harm reduction f... more

Overdose deaths are the go-to metric for how well drug policy is performing, but those on the ground know that harms from the drug war can include much more than the worst outcomes. As harm reduction policies get swept up in escalating authoritarian ... more

Opioids are some of the best drugs ever invented. News flash! But that’s not something you’ll hear from the mainstream media anymore. No, the official message is that opioids are only problematic and even in the instances where they are prescribed by... more

The endless whac-a-mole of the drug war, banning one chemical as soon as three more become popular, can never be won. That just isn’t how chemistry or human nature works. But that hasn’t stopped profiteers and special interest groups from pushing the... more

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Recent Guests

Beth Dinges
Clinical pharmacist and harm reduction coordinator who helped launch the VA's first syringe program in 2017.
Veterans Affairs
Episode: Episode 93: Veterans’ Harm Reduction Battle with Beth Dinges
Sheila Vakharia
Harm reductionist, researcher, social worker, and the Deputy Director of Research and Academic Engagement at the Drug Policy Alliance
Drug Policy Alliance
Episode: Episode 92: The Drug War’s Invisible Casualties with Sheila Vakharia
Liz Chiarello
Associate professor of sociology at St. Louis University and author of 'Policing Patients, Treatment and Surveillance on the Frontlines of the Opioid Crisis'
St. Louis University
Episode: Episode 91: Drug Surveillance Won’t Stop at Opioids with Liz Chiarello
Claire Zagorski
Licensed paramedic and PhD student in translational science
University of Texas at Austin
Episode: Episode 90: Navigating Shifting Chemical Landscapes with Claire Zagorski
Joy Rucker
A pioneer in harm reduction and co-founder of the National Black Harm Reduction Network
National Black Harm Reduction Network
Episode: Episode 88: Helping Harm Reduction Flourish with Joy Rucker
Dr. Nabarun Dasgupta
Pharmacopedemiologist and scientist at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Episode: Episode 87: Drug Testing Equals Empowerment with Dr. Nabarun Dasgupta and Charlton Roverson
Charlton Roverson
Eastern Regional Coordinator with the North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition
North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition
Episode: Episode 87: Drug Testing Equals Empowerment with Dr. Nabarun Dasgupta and Charlton Roverson
Nancy D. Campbell
Author and historian of science focusing on addiction research and treatment.
RPI (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute)
Episode: Episode 86: Why Naloxone Still Matters with Nancy D. Campbell
Oswaldo Zavala
Journalist and professor focusing on Latin American literature and culture, author of "Los Carteles No Existen".
City University of New York
Episode: Episode 85: “Narcoterrorism” is just another forever war lie with Oswaldo Zavala

Hosts

Aaron Ferguson
Co-host and producer known for his dedication to discussing drug policy and harm reduction.
Troy Farah
Co-host and production manager who brings journalistic rigor to discussions on drug issues.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 251 ratings
  • Awesome

    Podcast Addict
    5
    tomas
    9 months ago
  • Incredibly insightful

    This is an exceptional podcast! The topics are always interesting and relevant, and both the interviewees and hosts are able to keep the listener captivated. For these reasons and more, I hope to see Narcotica continue for many years to come.

    Much love from Australia 🇦🇺

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jacsta1234
    Australia2 years ago
  • Real Quality Social Issues

    This Podcast covers real Social Issues around Narcotics and their history in America. Interesting Stuff, be cool if they looked at Europe too. As a European I am so put off by the Male and Female Vocal Fry...riiiiaght? But otherwise, that American Phenomenon to the side; it's a great way to understand American Service Users and what they have and go through and what the Doctors etc. are up against in terms of Government and other stuff that as addicts, we have to go through to get well or close ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Nikolay_213
    Ireland2 years ago
  • Wonderful journalism and discussion from some unique perspectives

    Podcast Addict
    5
    gokph
    3 years ago
  • Excellent information source

    As a substance use researcher I look to this podcast to inform myself, catch up on current events, policy, and new research, and learn about efforts going on around the country and the world to study and address issues related to substance use (biggest issue being the war on drugs, ammirite!)

    I’ve learned a lot from this podcast. I appreciate that the hosts are people with lived experience and talk in a straightforward manner about substance use topics and solutions - they are not wonky or bori... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ktbailara
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Hosts sometimes display vocal fry, which some listeners find distracting, but many still rate the show highly for content quality.
Informative and balanced reporting on drug issues, providing a nuanced view that challenges common perceptions.
Praise for the helpful education offered regarding addiction issues and policy from voices with lived experience.
Valuable resource for understanding drug policy and harm reduction, especially for those in related fields.
Engaging hosts who successfully discuss serious topics without losing accessibility or interest.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 92: The Drug War’s Invisible Casualties with Sheila Vakharia
Q: Can you give us just a little bit of a background?
Sheila discusses her journey into harm reduction, highlighting her experiences in various service settings and her transition toward a focus on harm reduction principles in her work.
Episode 91: Drug Surveillance Won’t Stop at Opioids with Liz Chiarello
Q: Can we talk about some of the ways that patients are being policed, especially with the prescription drug monitoring program?
The PDMP uses aggregated pharmacy dispensing data to track prescriptions and is accessed by law enforcement, which creates a chilling effect on doctors.
Episode 90: Navigating Shifting Chemical Landscapes with Claire Zagorski
Q: How do you reconcile the demands for stronger medications to combat drug use while ensuring ethical approaches to drug policies?
The discussion must focus on effective prevention strategies that address the root causes rather than implementing coercive methods.
Episode 90: Navigating Shifting Chemical Landscapes with Claire Zagorski
Q: Can you tell me how you see things changing in the drug supply, not just in Texas, but maybe nationally?
There is a strong possibility that new drugs will continue to emerge as responses to outlawed substances, including further adaptations or analogs of existing drugs.
Episode 84: How Drug Seizures Damage Public Health with Drs. Bradley Ray, Jennifer J. Carroll and Brandon del Pozo
Q: Jennifer, what has been the community's response to police disruptions?
Individual people aren't necessarily feeling the same waves as the data suggests, but they are aware of being followed, pulled over, or arrested, indicating a constant police presence.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Narcotica Podcast

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

Focused on the intricate dynamics of drug-related issues, this podcast explores topics surrounding the war on drugs and the myriad individuals affected by it. Key themes include harm reduction strategies, drug policy reform, and the social implications of substance use. The discussion often features expert guests who provide insights on current events, policy challenges, and lived experiences related to addiction and recovery. The unique perspective of the hosts, all journalists with a deep commitment to the subject matter, facilitates a nuanced conversation that challenges conventional thinking about drug use and ultimately aims to educate and inform listeners about this critical societal issue.

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How many listeners does Narcotica Podcast get?

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To see how many followers or subscribers Narcotica Podcast 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 Narcotica Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Narcotica Podcast:

1. Maintenance Phase
2. You're Wrong About
3. Democracy Now! Audio
4. Behind the Bastards
5. The Daily

How many episodes of Narcotica Podcast are there?

Narcotica Podcast launched 7 years ago and published 95 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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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 Narcotica Podcast?

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What guests have appeared on Narcotica Podcast?

Recent guests on Narcotica Podcast include:

1. Beth Dinges
2. Sheila Vakharia
3. Liz Chiarello
4. Claire Zagorski
5. Joy Rucker
6. Dr. Nabarun Dasgupta
7. Charlton Roverson
8. Nancy D. Campbell

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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