We are in conversation with Chris McGreal about the history of the opioid epidemic in the U.S.
We discuss the careless over-prescription of opioids that has lead to addiction, heroin use and overdose in a context where illegal drug cartels have brutally exploited the situation. McGreal argues that the opioid epidemic was born of congressional neglect, amplified by the greed and corruption of the pharmaceutical companies and the failure of the government (DEA and FDA) to regulate the drug industry.
Guest: Chris McGreal, is a senior writer at the Guardian and former journalist for the BBC. He has published several articles on the opioid epidemic in America. His latest book is American Overdose: The Opioid Tragedy in Three Acts.