Special Episode: Philip Eil & Prescription for Pain

Dec 17, 2024

In this insightful dialogue, journalist Philip Eil, author of *Prescription for Pain*, uncovers the dark journey of Dr. Paul Volkman, a physician turned notorious 'pill mill' operator. Eil discusses the shocking descent of a once-promising doctor into illegal prescribing, contextualizing it within the broader opioid crisis. They explore the regulatory failures that allowed such practices to thrive and reflect on the devastating impact on communities. This narrative showcases the urgent need for reform in pain management and medical oversight.

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Intro

00:00 • 3min

The Pill Mill Killer: A Tragic Tale of Medical Betrayal

02:45 • 3min

Uncovering the Chilling Story of Prescription Drug Abuse

06:03 • 5min

The Evolution of a Narrative on the Opioid Crisis

10:45 • 2min

Promotions for Learning and Security

13:01 • 2min

Downfall in the Medical Field

15:09 • 10min

The Rise of Pill Mills and the Opiate Epidemic

25:00 • 4min

A Painful Prescription: The Ohio Clinic Scandal

29:21 • 28min

Learning from Individual Cases in the Opioid Epidemic

56:54 • 5min

Drug Dealer MD

Anna Lemke

Prescription for Pain: How a Once-Promising Doctor Became the “Pill Mill Killer”

Philip Eil

Dreamland

The True Tale of America's Opiate Epidemic

Sam Quinones

Dreamland by Sam Quinones tells the story of two powerful drug industries—that of prescription opiates and black tar heroin—driven by capitalism and greed. The book examines how the medical community's shift towards pain relief, fueled by pharmaceutical companies like Purdue Pharma, and the influx of black tar heroin from Mexico, contributed to the opiate epidemic. Quinones uses personal anecdotes, historical context, and a cast of characters including pharmaceutical pioneers, Mexican entrepreneurs, and narcotics investigators to illustrate the catastrophic impact on American communities. The book also highlights the role of community in recovery and the need for addressing the underlying social and economic issues that contributed to the epidemic.

Empire of Pain

The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty

Ricard Gil

Patrick Radden Keefe

Empire of Pain is a comprehensive and damning narrative about the Sackler family, who built their pharmaceutical empire through aggressive marketing and questionable ethics. The book traces the family's history from their early success with tranquilizers like Librium and Valium to the devastating impact of OxyContin, which contributed significantly to the opioid crisis. Keefe's work is based on extensive research and exposes the family's ruthless business tactics, their influence on medical and governmental bodies, and their attempts to evade accountability for the harm caused by their products.

In Cold Blood

Truman Capote

In 'In Cold Blood', Truman Capote chronicles the brutal murder of the Clutter family in Holcomb, Kansas, on November 15, 1959. The book follows the lives of the victims, Herb Clutter, his wife Bonnie, and their children Nancy and Kenyon, as well as the perpetrators, Perry Smith and Dick Hickock. Capote uses a nonfiction novel approach, blending factual reporting with narrative techniques to create a deeply human and emotionally engaging story. The book explores the psychological states of the murderers, the community's reaction to the crime, and the investigative efforts led by Alvin Dewey of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. It delves into themes of innocence, evil, and the complexities of human nature, particularly through the empathetic portrayal of Perry Smith. The novel was first published serially in 'The New Yorker' in 1965 and later in book form in 1966, marking a significant contribution to the 'new journalism' genre.