Keep Talking Episode 15: Ben Westhoff - Fentanyl in America
Ben Westhoff is an investigative journalist and author. In 2019, he published "Fentanyl, Inc.", the definitive story of the Fentanyl drug trade and its effects on American culture. During our conversation, Ben talks about his reasons for writing the book, where fentanyl is made and how it enters America, the pervasiveness and dangers of fentanyl to society, and what might be done to add a measure of safety to people at risk from its toxicity.
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(00:00) Intro
(04:41) Ben shares what got him interested in studying fentanyl
(06:59) The role of China in the distribution of fentanyl in American society
(11:50) Is it technically correct to say that although fentanyl export is illegal, its ingredients can be exported?
(12:40) Where are we currently in terms of the death rates or the effects of fentanyl in society? Is it as bad as it ever was?
(14:19) How are people affected by the drug?
(17:29) What percentage of street drugs, including cocaine or heroin, has fentanyl laced within it?
(18:39) How would you advise people to mitigate some of the risks of fentanyl
(20:50) Do we know if fentanyl-laced drugs are more common in certain regions of the country?
(24:09) What are your thoughts on India potentially taking over as a potential leader in the production of fentanyl?
(25:54) What prompted Ben to do firsthand research on fentanyl?
(30:06) Why did Ben decide to put himself at risk for the sake of his research?
(31:54) Ben talks about his book, "Fentanyl Inc."
(34:47) Ben shares the possible ways to improve the situation
(37:07) Ben discusses if there is any city, state, or country, that is dealing with the use of the drug in the most rational way
(38:59) Has Ben changed his mind on anything after publishing his book?
(41:21) The legal ways in which fentanyl is used in the medical context
(43:49) What do people taking substances like fentanyl experience?
(45:38) What are the substances that people in our culture should be looking out for as a potential risk for having fentanyl in it?
(48:09) Ben shares his interests and next steps