231. Robert Harkins | Homeland Security Graduate Program231. Robert Harkins | Homeland Security Graduate Program
High Truths on Drugs and Addiction
The students at the San Diego State University Graduate Program in Homeland Security use this High Truths podcast as part of their curriculum. Robert J. Harkins, MS, is a Lecturer and Academic Advisor (Lastnames: A-M) for the Graduate Program in Homeland Security. Professor Harkins has extensive Homeland Security public safety expertise specializing in offenses and conspiracies involving United States Code, Title 21, Food and Drugs (Controlled Substances Act), and governmental managerial experience, to include investigative planning, critical thinking, and oversight of personnel and programs. Mr Harkins is extremely involved with organizations and associations focused on the networking of professionals in the public safety and public health sectors. As an Adjunct Faculty member with the Homeland Security Graduate Program, Mr. Harkins led a major effort to secure external grant support for teaching about Fentanyl to the San Diego County region on multiple levels, and helped design and build demonstration products for a major grant proposal to the CDC that was prepared and submitted via the SDSU Research Foundation. Mr. Harkins works with regional leaders in helping move Fentanyl and opioid abuse awareness to regional, state, and national leaders, and to many people serving in the law enforcement and social services community responding to the opioid epidemic. Mr. Harkins represents SDSU and the Homeland Security Program in regular meetings with community leaders, law enforcement leaders, and social service leaders responding to the alarming number of overdose deaths in San Diego County. Mr. Harkins has taught about Fentanyl including the design of Fentanyl education programs for middle school and high school as well as adults. These meetings with community leaders led to the creation of the Community Response to Drug Overdoses (CReDO) subcommittee, which is supporting a mandate by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors to create a Fentanyl education curriculum for all schools in San Diego County along with Narcan/Naloxone distribution. Mr. Harkins' ability to provide compelling teaching is from the hundreds of teaching episodes he has had in contacting community members, as well as teaching them how to recognize Fentanyl poisonings and then how to appropriately respond. These teaching experiences have given him a profound ability to communicate to a wide variety of people in a compelling way, which has almost certainly saved many lives in the region. Mr. Harkins uses this same teaching experience in teaching and advising of graduate students in the Homeland Security Graduate Program.
1:09:40•2 Jun 2025
Homeland Security: A Classroom of Real-World Challenges
Episode Overview
- Fentanyl is considered a major threat to national security.
- Educational programs integrate real-world experiences with academic learning.
- Collaboration between law enforcement and healthcare is crucial in combating drug issues.
- Graduate students use podcasts as part of their curriculum for deeper understanding.
- Homeland Security's focus includes cybersecurity and public safety.
“"Listening to High Truths is literally a master's class in addiction."”
Dive into the intriguing world of Homeland Security with Dr. Roneet Lev on the 'High Truths on Drugs and Addiction' podcast. This episode features Robert J. Harkins, a lecturer at San Diego State University's Graduate Program in Homeland Security. With a background as a DEA agent, Harkins brings a wealth of experience and insight into the intersection of drug addiction and national security.
The discussion touches on how fentanyl and other drugs pose a significant threat to the safety of citizens, likening their impact to that of terrorist organisations. You'll hear about the innovative educational approaches used at San Diego State University, where students integrate podcast episodes into their learning, treating them as a master's class in addiction. Dr. Lev even makes surprise visits to the classroom, adding a touch of excitement and real-world connection to their studies.
The conversation is peppered with anecdotes from Harkins' career, including his time tackling the opioid crisis alongside medical professionals. The episode also explores the collaborative efforts needed to combat drug-related issues, emphasising the importance of partnerships between law enforcement, healthcare, and community organisations. Harkins shares how his program fosters future leaders in Homeland Security, preparing them to address evolving challenges in public safety and cybersecurity.
If you're curious about how academia and real-world experiences blend to tackle pressing issues like drug addiction and national security, this episode is a must-listen. It's a fascinating look at how education can empower the next generation to make meaningful contributions to society.
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