Stanford School of Medicine
Keith Humphreys is professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Stanford School of Medicine. From 2009-2010 he served as senior policy advisor to the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. He also co-chaired a recent blue ribbon commission on marijuana policy.
President Trump does a 180 on drug addiction The President's special commission on opioid abuse has recommended he declare a national emergency. Tuesday, he sent word he would not. But, the number of overdose deaths in a year exceeds troop casualties in the entire Vietnam War. Yesterday, he said "yes," after all. A national emergency could mean federal resources for treatment — including for mental illness. It's a long way from Nancy Reagan's "Just Say, No," but she was talking about crack cocaine in the inner cities, while opioids are a scourge of white Americans in Republican enclaves.
Will Big Money Create "Big Pot?" Marijuana is a one-time symbol of America's counter-culture. Still illegal under federal law, its medical use has been approved in 23 states; four states and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational use. And it's already a $2.7 billion business that's attracting Wall Street and Silicon Valley investors to a legalization movement originally devoted to medical needs and social justice. Activists warning about Big Pot — a corporate behemoth like Big Alcohol or Big Tobacco — with little concern for public health or the environment. In an economy based on the profit motive, will legalization have unintended consequences?
America: The Overdose Nation Fast-paced national/international news and issues program, from KCRW.
Heroin Makes a Comeback Heroin addiction wasn't just Philip Seymour Hoffman 's problem. It isn't just Hollywood's problem. It's America's problem. It's migrated from central cities to middle class suburbs to small towns in New England, the MidWest and other places where it's rarely been seen before. Cheaper, more potent supplies find a ready market of people already addicted to prescription pain pills that are harder to get than they used to be. Drug overdoses now kill more Americans than traffic accidents, gun homicides or suicides. How long has that been true? Why did it take a celebrity death to focus public attention? What needs to be done?
California Gets Back into Presidential Politics In 1972, California clinched the presidential nomination for Democrat George McGovern. Since then, the biggest state has become an ATM for candidates of both parties. But starting in 2020 all eyes will be on California as it moves its primary up to a month after the Iowa caucuses.
Lessons on rebuilding after the Woolsey and Thomas Fires Monique Quigley’s Christmas this year won’t be like any she’s ever had. Her home in Malibou Lake burned down in the Woolsey Fire last month. She lost nearly everything, including her house.
Bonus Episode: The wind-up before the punch Josh Barro and Ken White couldn’t wait to debrief on the Paul Manafort and Michael Cohen sentencing memos before the documents become old news. So, voila! Bonus episode.
Lessons learned a year after the Thomas Fire and debris flow A year ago, the Thomas Fire swallowed large swaths of Ventura County and lept into Santa Barbara’s front country, setting the stage for the late-night debris flow that took 23 lives. As we observe those anniversaries, we’re checking back with those we spoke with in the immediate aftermath.