Nick Reding, “Methland: The Death and Life of an American Small Town” (Bloomsbury, 2009)Nick Reding, “Methland: The Death and Life of an American Small Town” (Bloomsbury, 2009)
New Books in Drugs, Addiction and Recovery
In 1980 I left Kansas to go to college in Iowa. A lot of things caught my attention about Iowa, for example, that the people really are very nice. I also noticed that there were a lot of drugs. One of them was “crystal methamphetamine,
1:08:27•14 Aug 2009
Methland: Unpacking the Impact of Meth in Small-Town America
“Meth is not the problem anywhere... it's just a symptom of a larger economic problem.”
Imagine a town where economic hardship and drug addiction go hand in hand. In this gripping episode of 'New Books in Drugs, Addiction and Recovery', host Marshall Poe sits down with author Nick Reding to discuss his eye-opening book, 'Methland: The Death and Life of an American Small Town'. Set against the backdrop of Oelwein, Iowa, Reding paints a vivid picture of how crystal methamphetamine infiltrated small-town America during the decline of local industries in the late 20th century.
As jobs disappeared and poverty rose, meth emerged as a devastating escape for many residents. But it's not just about the drugs. Reding delves into the broader economic struggles, the role of politics, and the efforts of law enforcement to combat this epidemic. He highlights how community support can be a beacon of hope for recovery.
This episode offers a raw and engaging analysis that will leave you with a deeper understanding of the complex issues facing small towns across the nation. Perfect for anyone curious about the intersection of drugs, economics, and community resilience.
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