Episode #102 High Truths on Drugs and Addiction with Dr. John Searles and Consumption SitesEpisode #102 High Truths on Drugs and Addiction with Dr. John Searles and Consumption Sites
High Truths on Drugs and Addiction
Drug Consumption Rooms, Injection Facilities, Overdose Prevention Centers, Supervised Injection Facilities, Safe Consumption Facilities, and Harm Reduction Center - these are the various terms used for a medically supervised place to use drugs. What is the science behind these sites? John S. Searles, Ph.D. was the Substance Abuse Research and Policy Analyst and Chair of the State Epidemiological Workgroup for the Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Programs in the Vermont Department of Health. He retired in 2019. He is currently an appointed member of the legislatively mandated Substance Misuse Prevention Advisory Council and serves on the council’s Equity, Prevention, and Policy subcommittees. He has been on the faculty at University of California, Berkeley, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Vermont. He was the Principal or Co-Principal Investigator on several large research grants from the National Institutes of Health. He has co-edited two books (“Children of Alcoholics” and “Alcohol and the Family”) and published over 50 scientific articles in the substance use/abuse field. John earned his doctorate in psychology from the University of California, Berkeley.
44:29•5 Dec 2022
The Science and Debate Over Drug Consumption Sites with Dr. John Searles
“It's not perfect, but there actually are places. And, because I see places around the country just making non-science, it wouldn't be the first time right where governments are making non-science based decisions and making emotional and political decisions rather than the evidence-based ones.”
Imagine a place where people can use drugs under medical supervision. Sounds controversial, right? In this episode of 'High Truths on Drugs and Addiction', Dr. Roneet Lev sits down with Dr. John Searles, a seasoned Substance Abuse Research and Policy Analyst, to dive into the science and debates surrounding these drug consumption sites. With a background in psychology and extensive experience in substance abuse research, Dr. Searles brings a wealth of knowledge to the table.
They discuss the effectiveness of harm reduction strategies and the role these facilities play in preventing overdoses. But it's not all smooth sailing; the episode also touches on the controversies and non-science-based decisions that often surround these sites. You'll hear about the rise of fentanyl and how the pandemic has impacted alcohol consumption.
If you're curious about the complex world of addiction, this episode offers a balanced view, shedding light on both the potential benefits and the criticisms of supervised drug use facilities.
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