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Retired FBI Agent Reflects On Opioid Crisis
Manage episode 373390932 series 2820196
Episode Summary
Our last episode explored addiction from the perspective of loved ones. In this episode, we are looking at the opioid crisis from the point of view of a retired FBI agent, Aaron Weeter, who spent 25 years specializing in drug-related crimes. From his frontline perspective, we learn how the opioid epidemic of the 90s spread to become the fentanyl epidemic we have today.
For the visually-minded who prefer to listen and read or for those who need closed captioning, watch the transcript video here: https://youtu.be/oXq6XJ_z-HI
About Aaron Weeter
Beginning in 1998, Aaron served for over 23 years as a Special Agent in the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Washington, D.C. Field Office. He served for twenty years as a case agent and three years as a supervisor investigating matters primarily involving white-collar/financial crimes in the areas of healthcare fraud and prescription drug diversion and distribution. During this time, Aaron also worked on a variety of national/office-wide cases including the 9-11, D.C. Sniper and January 6th investigations among others. Aaron is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Certified Fraud Examiner. He retired from the FBI in late 2021 and recently started a fraud consulting business. Much of Aaron's FBI investigative work focused on the illegal distribution of pharmaceutical narcotics and other controlled substances by physicians, pharmacists and street-level dealers. He opened his first "pill case" in early 1999 in the early stages of what would become the pill epidemic and through dozens of cases thereafter, had a window into the evolution of the pill epidemic and its influence on the current fentanyl epidemic gripping the U.S.
More to Watch and Read
Chasing the Dragon: The Life of an Opiate Addict - a documentary made by the FBI & DEA
Dr. Feelgood: Dealer or Healer? - a documentary about Dr. William Hurwitz, a Virginia physician who served nearly five years in prison for drug trafficking
Anonymous Sister - a documentary where director Jamie Boyle explores her family's collision with the opioid epidemic
All the Beauty and the Bloodshed - a documentary about artist and activist Nan Goldin and her personal fight to hold the Sackler family accountable for the opioid overdose crisis
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver - a novel that shows the devastating impact of the opioid epidemic on a young boy in Appalachia
Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company that Addicted America by Beth Macy - the definitive account of America's opioid epidemic
Raising Lazarus: Hope, Justice, and the Future of America’s Overdose Crisis by Beth Macy - a sequel to Dopesick
Dopesick - Hulu limited series remake of Beth Macy's book
Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty by Patrick Radden Keefe - a book that describes the Sackler family and their role in the opioid epidemic
The Family That Built an Empire of Pain - article by Patrick Radden Keefe that led to the book
What Can Be Done?
Words Matter - Terms to Use and Avoid When Talking About Addiction
https://www.cdc.gov/opioids/basics/fentanyl.html:
https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/prevention/index.html
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use disorder, SAMHSA's (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357), (also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service) or TTY: 1-800-487-4889 is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. Callers can also order free publications and other information. You can also visit https://www.samhsa.gov.
How opioid addiction occurs - Mayo Clinic
List of Treatment Facilities and Support Groups
Related Episodes
Addiction to Sobriety: A Mother's Journey
Find and Follow Carole and Wisdom Shared:
- https://www.caroleblueweiss.com/
- Subscribe to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@WisdomSharedCaroleBlueweiss
- Follow me and send me a message on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caroleblueweiss
- Follow me and send me a message on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroleblueweiss/
- Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carole_blueweiss/
The Wisdom Shared Team
- Audio Engineering by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works
- Production Assistant and Marketing Coordinator: Kayla Nelson
Find and Follow Carole and Wisdom Shared:
- https://www.caroleblueweiss.com/
- Subscribe to YouTube channel
- Follow and send a message on Facebook
- Follow and send a message on LinkedIn
- Follow on Instagram
- Follow on TikTok
- Follow on Threads
The Wisdom Shared Team
- Audio Engineering by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works
- Co-Producer and Marketing Coordinator: Kayla Nelson
- Production Assistant: Becki Leigh
44 episodes
Manage episode 373390932 series 2820196
Episode Summary
Our last episode explored addiction from the perspective of loved ones. In this episode, we are looking at the opioid crisis from the point of view of a retired FBI agent, Aaron Weeter, who spent 25 years specializing in drug-related crimes. From his frontline perspective, we learn how the opioid epidemic of the 90s spread to become the fentanyl epidemic we have today.
For the visually-minded who prefer to listen and read or for those who need closed captioning, watch the transcript video here: https://youtu.be/oXq6XJ_z-HI
About Aaron Weeter
Beginning in 1998, Aaron served for over 23 years as a Special Agent in the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Washington, D.C. Field Office. He served for twenty years as a case agent and three years as a supervisor investigating matters primarily involving white-collar/financial crimes in the areas of healthcare fraud and prescription drug diversion and distribution. During this time, Aaron also worked on a variety of national/office-wide cases including the 9-11, D.C. Sniper and January 6th investigations among others. Aaron is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Certified Fraud Examiner. He retired from the FBI in late 2021 and recently started a fraud consulting business. Much of Aaron's FBI investigative work focused on the illegal distribution of pharmaceutical narcotics and other controlled substances by physicians, pharmacists and street-level dealers. He opened his first "pill case" in early 1999 in the early stages of what would become the pill epidemic and through dozens of cases thereafter, had a window into the evolution of the pill epidemic and its influence on the current fentanyl epidemic gripping the U.S.
More to Watch and Read
Chasing the Dragon: The Life of an Opiate Addict - a documentary made by the FBI & DEA
Dr. Feelgood: Dealer or Healer? - a documentary about Dr. William Hurwitz, a Virginia physician who served nearly five years in prison for drug trafficking
Anonymous Sister - a documentary where director Jamie Boyle explores her family's collision with the opioid epidemic
All the Beauty and the Bloodshed - a documentary about artist and activist Nan Goldin and her personal fight to hold the Sackler family accountable for the opioid overdose crisis
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver - a novel that shows the devastating impact of the opioid epidemic on a young boy in Appalachia
Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company that Addicted America by Beth Macy - the definitive account of America's opioid epidemic
Raising Lazarus: Hope, Justice, and the Future of America’s Overdose Crisis by Beth Macy - a sequel to Dopesick
Dopesick - Hulu limited series remake of Beth Macy's book
Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty by Patrick Radden Keefe - a book that describes the Sackler family and their role in the opioid epidemic
The Family That Built an Empire of Pain - article by Patrick Radden Keefe that led to the book
What Can Be Done?
Words Matter - Terms to Use and Avoid When Talking About Addiction
https://www.cdc.gov/opioids/basics/fentanyl.html:
https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/prevention/index.html
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use disorder, SAMHSA's (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357), (also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service) or TTY: 1-800-487-4889 is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. Callers can also order free publications and other information. You can also visit https://www.samhsa.gov.
How opioid addiction occurs - Mayo Clinic
List of Treatment Facilities and Support Groups
Related Episodes
Addiction to Sobriety: A Mother's Journey
Find and Follow Carole and Wisdom Shared:
- https://www.caroleblueweiss.com/
- Subscribe to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@WisdomSharedCaroleBlueweiss
- Follow me and send me a message on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caroleblueweiss
- Follow me and send me a message on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroleblueweiss/
- Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carole_blueweiss/
The Wisdom Shared Team
- Audio Engineering by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works
- Production Assistant and Marketing Coordinator: Kayla Nelson
Find and Follow Carole and Wisdom Shared:
- https://www.caroleblueweiss.com/
- Subscribe to YouTube channel
- Follow and send a message on Facebook
- Follow and send a message on LinkedIn
- Follow on Instagram
- Follow on TikTok
- Follow on Threads
The Wisdom Shared Team
- Audio Engineering by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works
- Co-Producer and Marketing Coordinator: Kayla Nelson
- Production Assistant: Becki Leigh
44 episodes
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