Episode 51 | The #RecoveryFirst Podcast with Mike Todd & Guest Dolly McCurryEpisode 51 | The #RecoveryFirst Podcast with Mike Todd & Guest Dolly McCurry
The Recovery First Addiction Recovery Podcast by Freedom Recovery Services of Greenville
Host Mike Todd talks with harm reduction specialist and peer supporter Dolly McCurry about Narcan, recovery housing, and rapidly changing drug supplies in rural and small-town communities. Their conversation highlights practical safety measures, language shifts in recovery, and the need for stronger advocacy and resources to keep people alive.
1:03:06•12 Nov 2021
Harm Reduction, Narcan Myths and Deadly Drug Trends in Small-Town America
Episode Overview
- Narcan does not "enable" drug use; it enables breathing and gives people a chance to survive long enough to seek help.
- People in recovery housing are at high risk of overdose after periods of abstinence, so easy access to Naloxone in houses is critical.
- Creating non-punitive, honest environments in recovery homes makes residents more likely to speak up when someone is in danger.
- Carfentanil and other strong adulterants are increasingly present in drug supplies, making overdose more likely, especially when people do not know what they’re taking.
- Limited detox and treatment access, especially for uninsured people, pushes families and advocates to demand better resources and clearer understanding from legislators.
“"The only thing narcan enables is breathing, is life. And where there's life, there's hope."”
How do people cope with the challenges of staying sober when the drug supply keeps getting deadlier and services are thin on the ground? This conversation between host Mike Todd and guest Dolly McCurry goes straight into that tension, with a raw, boots-on-the-ground look at harm reduction in small towns and rural communities. It opens with a real voicemail: someone begging for more Narcan after reviving both their boyfriend and sister.
From there, the episode digs into why tools like Narcan and syringe access are essential, even when critics say they "enable" use. As Dolly puts it with characteristic clarity, "the only thing narcan enables is breathing, is life. And where there's life, there's hope." Dolly shares how she started handing out Narcan from her car, then grew into formal roles as a peer support and harm reduction specialist in Augusta, Georgia.
She talks about working with people still using, their families, and those entering treatment, and how respecting people’s dignity makes them "five times more likely" to ask for help. The episode also shines a light on recovery housing: the good, the bad, and the dangerous. Mike and Dolly challenge houses that hide Naloxone or throw people out after a recurrence, stressing that "every minute counts" when someone overdoses and that residents need open, honest environments rather than fear of punishment.
Things get even more serious when they discuss carfentanil, fake pressed pills, and rapidly changing drug trends spreading from Atlanta into places like Augusta and Greenville. Dolly explains how stronger substances, lack of detox options, and expensive treatment leave people at extreme risk. If you're interested in recovery, work in treatment or housing, or care about someone who uses drugs, this episode offers a frank, practical look at how harm reduction and recovery support can actually keep people alive.
What changes could you help push for in your own community?
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