Sam Quinones

Investigative journalist Sam Quinones dives into Kentucky's inspiring recovery from the opioid crisis. He shares heartwarming tales of recovering addicts who are reigniting their communities by launching businesses. Quinones discusses the grassroots efforts transforming small towns, emphasizing remarkable stories like a woman who opened a bookstore amidst adversity. The conversation highlights how these individuals are driving local revitalization and hope, all while tackling the ongoing issues of drugs like fentanyl and meth.

Journalist Sam Quinones blew Marc’s mind six years ago with his book Dreamland: The True Tale of America’s Opiate Epidemic. More recently, he devoted his research and reporting to understanding how America got caught in the clutches of newer, more addictive, and more lethal synthetic drugs. Sam’s latest book is The Least of Us: True Tales of America and Hope in the Time of Fentanyl and Meth. Sam talks with Marc about how these drugs work over the brain, how they’re getting into the country, and how they have exacerbated America’s homelessness crisis. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sam Quinones, a seasoned crime reporter and author, delves into the alarming rise of a more dangerous form of methamphetamine across the U.S. He traces its roots from wartime use, highlighting a disturbing evolution in manufacturing that has fueled its spread. Quinones discusses the psychological impacts on users, like the tragic story of a former Marine, and the drug's correlation with social issues such as homelessness. He stresses the urgent need for modern treatment strategies and international cooperation to confront this escalating crisis.