Fentanyl: The Drug's Toll on Users, First Responders and the Law

[@morgancr1993]

I lost a friend to heroin overdose. It's devastating. Heroin addiction is a serious issue. It ruins lives.

[@JagoSma-s3u]

I'll always chose psilocybin mushrooms to any other drug,

[@Shepherd-n3b]

I Just tried shrooms for the first time last night, I've done acid and dippers, but shrooms was great, had me happy and let me almost create my reality in and unatural way if you know what I mean.

[@SedatAslan-q6v]

Hello! It appears I have interests, I want to get some.. where do you get from?

[@Shepherd-n3b]

medicgael

[@Shepherd-n3b]

ᵒⁿ ᵗⁱᵏᵒᵏ ᵃⁿᵈ

[@lheeziekim2710]

So touched by the fact that the ppl who recovered are helping and encouraging addicts to get clean.

[@workouts_2024]

It's only the ex addicts who work the streets trying to help. All the people who work in the non profits are in it only for the money and they stay inside their offices.

[@rent7142]

Suboxone has kept me off drugs and alcohol for 2yrs now. Changed my life after 30yrs in addiction.

[@MsGoodforthesoul]

Congratulations on your sobriety 🎉

[@justusbryant7366]

Good luck ever getting off that. Then when you do you still crave opiods. Nothing but a bandaid. Not true recovery.

[@Grisuu]

It didnt keep you off drugs because by using it you are still on drugs…

[@Grisuu]

@@MsGoodforthesoulthis is not sobriety

[@MsGoodforthesoul]

@@Grisuu and your comment is not helpful. Mind your business.

[@On-foe-nem]

reading these comments makes me smile because I was also addicted after a football knee injury. I was out all times of the night leaving my family at home to chase this addiction. My wife left me temporarily and I was at my lowest. I’ve lost my father in law and 4 friends to this. I started taken Kratom and was able to get off it. I’ve been clean for over 7 years. We’re all in this together!!!!!! You can do it! ❤

[@michaelscott33]

Wow, I’m a critical care physician and I’ve been trying to get my hospital to administer Buprenorphine in the ED and on the medical floor in lieu of Naloxone for years. They BOTH put you into precipitated withdrawal, however Buprenorphone has a partial opioid agonist effect that decrease that withdrawal affect AND once the other opioids have been displaced from the receptor, you start to feel good again instead of sick per usual. This is Amazing. That was while I was in Texas, but now I’m located in Camden. NJ where we have forward thinkers and this program is performing extremely well.

[@bloodsportOTS]

I currently have been succesfully sober off of Fentanyl for about 7 months. Unfortunatly I am still smoking methamphetamine but better than using both. Still thinking about going back to treatment to get off of meth as well.

[@CMoore8539]

@@FireAngelZeroI was prescribed 24 mgs a day of Subutex. My doctor refused to take me off of it so after two years I quit cold Turkey. It took me over a year to get better too. Most of the people I’m seeing on subs are staying on that stuff permanently!! Congratulations to you on getting off of it. I’m happy I quit too. I felt like a Zombie!!

[@CMoore8539]

@@FireAngelZeroI can’t Live like that.💞

[@sharonrigs7999]

I'm a former heroin addict. Thankfully I called it quits before anyone knew what fentanyl was. I am still on Methadone and Kadian (24hr formulation of oral morphine) I have chronic pain and require a cane from a shotgun blast, so no opioids aren't an option for me.

[@mikes9223]

What do people do when suboxone and methadone cant even touch my withdrawl. People need more options like europe has heroin rx programs. I suffer from extreme pain and no doctors will help me. We need other solutions for people like me

[@missdenisebee]

I never thought I’d get sober, and definitely never thought I’d get to the point where I ENJOY my sobriety, as opposed to white knuckling it. I went to rehab in 2022 because my partner gave me an ultimatum, but in there, something just clicked. Even if you don’t think recovery’s going to work, give it a chance. You might surprise yourself. Sometimes you’re more ready than you think.

[@AlexanderTheGoodEnough]

as a professional drug user, I will admit that the moments I spend sober have become as novel as all those other moments I've spent high something. Don't think I could find that perspective without saturating myself outside that sober state first. the whole point of the process was always just to "take myself out of the current moment". sober is just as much of a perspective change when you're strung out. and its super necessary.

[@sherrodlock321]

​@@AlexanderTheGoodEnoughYou Make A Great (or good enough?) Observation, I Must Agree!😐

[@AlexanderTheGoodEnough]

@@sherrodlock321 Nice to hear (and appreciate the pun too lol). Only bit I left out was the part that requires being honest with one's self and the discipline required to separate impulses from actions...like calling your buddy up after you haven't slept for a few days asking for more coke instead of just dealing with sobering up to reset back to neutral and finally getting some sleep.

[@robertbihn3005]

me too !!!

[@robertrudick2492]

Congratulations. Stay sober and healthy. God bless you.

[@ToddandAmandaWilliams-bm8mi]

I was a functioning addict for 25 years thinking I had to use drugs to work two jobs daily for 28 years but when I lost 5 people real close to me I stopped I've been clean Aug 23rd will be 3 years I did it for myself and in memory of the loved ones I have lost it's still hard to this day but I know I am more healthier now and yes still working the 2 same jobs I did before just sober doing it God bless all users you can do it I did

[@danielmatthews132]

God bless you my brother💪🏼stay clean n do it for you n your health!

[@crazyslackster]

Keep Going.🤜🤛

[@evajimenez-fd6lr]

Your amazing! Keep it up it’s worth it.

[@ToddandAmandaWilliams-bm8mi]

Thank you all i truly appreciate the kindness I wish the young ones would take this as a warning don't try it even once it will get you nowhere God bless u guys truly appreciate it

[@pootz8082]

Awesome to hear that man 🤝🏾

[@Princess-mp8ep]

Just know you got lots of people praying that you find recovery

[@just_some_internet_guy]

I am so happy I often did not try drugs ever. Peer pressure was there, even with alcohol. One relative and one of my childhood best friends have been killed by alcohol in the last five years. It's great to provide an education through this program.

[@Evankayden-z7y]

I started doing drugs years ago as a teenage, got addicted to fentanyl. Spent my whole life fighting fentanyl addiction. I suffered severe depression and mental disorder, got diagnosed with OCD. Not until my mom recommended me to psilocybin mushrooms treatment. Psilocybin treatment saved my life honestly. 4 years totally clean. Much respect to mother nature the great magic shrooms.

[@Josh-k7e]

I love hearing great life changing stories like this. I want to become a mycologist because honestly mushrooms are the best form of medicine (most especially the psychedelic ones) There are so many people today used magic mushrooms to ween off of SSRI medication- its amazing! Years back i wrote an entire essay about psychedelics. they saved you from death buddy, lets be honest here.

[@ErnestoHorner88]

Hey mates! Can you help with the source? I suffer severe anxiety, panic and depression and I usually take prescription medicine, but they don't always help. Where can I find those psilocybin mushrooms? I'm really interested in treating my mental health without Rxs. I live in Australia don't know much about these. I'm so glad they helped you. I can't wait to get them too. Really need a reliable source 🙏

[@DonnDenisse]

YES sure of mycologist Predroshrooms. Mushrooms literally got me off my feet and turned my whole life around. I am currently a housing manager for a recovery program. I wouldn't have been able to do that shit without psilocybin.

[@canerbakar-jv2si]

Thanks for sharing your story. That's rough I sympathize. Save your health save your mind. Life is better without heroin, cocaine, alcohol and cigarettes. And you have more money in your pocket. God bless everyone who has rejected the devils intentions to be addicted to alcohol and cigarettes etc which can cause so much damage to health. I will pray for you all.

[@TomSanders-qv8bv]

Where do I reach this dude? If possible can I find him on Google

[@sierravista9013]

Its a loosing battle if the addict doesn't want to get clean.

[@angelone8564]

Exactly..

[@TheJohnbjunior]

I agree, that is why the ONLY way is to arrest your way out of it. (Like President Bukele did in El Salvador)

[@williamwilson6499]

Losing.

[@dogsareme100]

@@TheJohnbjunior If that worked we would not have this problem. Yes, they have to want it, but really even if you arrest them they still have to want it because A there are drugs in jail and prison and B you cannot keep them there forever so if they are not ready they will just use again when they get out. It has been PROVEN that drug court is way more effective and cheaper

[@Elephantnegotiationsociety]

love this dude. what an amazing transition from vice to thirteen. love this shit, keep it up

[@nilsanarvaez7947]

This was a great doc! I grew up in New York City, Spanish Harlem. Still have family there. Thank God, we stayed away from drugs growing up except for marijuana during my teen yrs. Been gone from there 36 yrs, but still visit family as often as I can. Politicians suck!

[@ThirteenWNET]

We're glad New Yorkers are watching. Thank you!

[@offgridgreenie9668]

Peace mate, great to hear.

[@Lexi61689]

Politicians do suck. The open border is making this issue so much worse

[@tonyplaysthemambo]

When my brother wanted to go to recovery and was going through withdrawals was the worst condition I think I've ever seen anyone in. He was freezing cold with goosepimples all over his body, yet he was burning up to the touch. His legs and arms would spasm uncontrollably. He was crying and his nose was running. He said it felt like his entire body had a migraine. Without detox he might have died.

[@pootz8082]

Withdrawal is horrible I’ve been there many times it sucks

[@TOOfukNFresh]

Yup it's the worst withdrawal and pain anyone can go thru only people that use this understand 😞

[@Katiee0592]

It gets worse than that overtime lol people wonder why addicts keep using. Withdrawals are so unbearably painful you will do almost anything to avoid them. And if you’re still using to avoid withdrawing, you can’t stop. It’s a viscous cycle. Very, very hard to stop! You need professional help, and you have to go thru severe pain to stop. That’s what it takes. Not everyone is ready to do that and I understand why. It’s extremely difficult, but doable. It’s doable.

[@dasnambi2254]

ýýýýýýýýýyýýýýùùùùùùùuùùùùùùuuùùùùùùùùùùuùùùùùùùùùùùùùùùùùùùùùùùuùùùùùùùùuùuùùuuuuuùùùùùùùùùùùuùùùùùùùuùùùùùùùùyùýùùùùuùuuùùùùuùùuuùýùùùùùùùùuùùùùùùùuùùùùùùùùùuuuùuùùùùùùùùùùuùùuuùùùùùùùùù77ì​@@pootz8082

[@blongshanks77]

Watching this video is heartbreaking to me. My brother-in-law is currently homeless while on heroin. Just as recently as two weeks ago, I jumped in my car and went looking for him. I found him on the street corner, and after sitting down and talking with him for a bit, my wife and I convinced him to go to detox right then and there. I drove him to detox, and sat there with him for hours during the intake process. The next night, while in detox, his blood sugar and blood pressure got so bad, they sent him to the hospital. They were able to get his blood sugar and blood pressure under control, but they let him go after a few days in the hospital, and so now he’s now back on the streets.

[@carilariviere505]

But he could have chosen rehab.....

[@mitchellrawson4975]

Nah he's not on heroin, there is no heroin anymore. It's pure fentanyl now

[@roku6666]

He may have better success with methadone or bupe than just detox. For me personally methadone has been a life saver.

[@roku6666]

@JimmyJaime-su5px 119mg. Been about 1 year since I’ve had any H. I plan to start tapering slowly fairly soon.

[@carilariviere505]

@@roku6666 Good Luck and best wishes in your full recovery!!!

[@TEAMJESUS-JOHN316]

I've lost someone at my house from fetanal. Pumped his chest until the paramedics came. Died at the hospital. I keep Narcan in my vehicle and home so a tragedy may be avoided.

[@FernFokes-tu6vs]

You tried instead of running which is awesome.

[@mijuajua4820]

I keep that on me also.

[@RealNameDre]

Simon is a great reporter! I first seen him on Vice, his reporting on the Ukraine/Russia conflict in 2014 was the best at that time. 💯

[@CMoore8539]

I’m so happy and proud of the man who went to rehab.💞 You guys are saving lives, one person at a time and that’s the only way to do it!!! Shout out to the guys working to help people on the streets!!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💞

[@Rilch]

yeah until he ended up back on the street right after he left... :(

[@Ks48778]

@@Rilcheventually ends up on Hart Island

[@carilariviere505]

Maybe billions put into mental health care would save more. These addicts are addicts for a reason or a choice. If it's a reason, it is quite likely directly connected to mental health issues, unresolved trauma etc. If it's their choice, well , good FN luck buddy!

[@AntonioCAM925]

4 time fentanyl overdose survivor. I never once got mad at someone saving my life. The affects of Narcan, however puts your body into a reactive state. I had zero control of my body movements and after my first overdose, I told paramedics they had to tie me down and please don't be mad at me

[@brandnewyou5254]

I know to people that don't understand what's going on this sounds kind of crazy but when you are dealing with a real doctor and you tell the truth they understand that's exactly what happened to me I got on an app call bicycle health I talked to a real counselor of a zoom call and we looked at each other in the eye and she believed my story because it was the truth and she prescribed me suboxone and she helped me through one of the hardest times of my life and I'm so very thankful

[@DMWBN3]

Im 9 weeks clean from H todwy. Im in uk & on methadone. Only smoked, never imjected & thats whats probably saved me. I dress well & do not in any way look like a user, which partly kept me using. Get off the gear everyone, the H is utter shite & the mix will kill you.

[@danielmatthews132]

Stay clean brother💪🏼 the drug can die, not you!

[@mikes9223]

H is like a walk in the park. Im on 180 mg methadone and it doesnt even touch my withdrawls. You lucky you live in europe where h is still available. Even in nyc heroin is impossible to get so were all on fent despite hating it

[@mintyfresh569]

Live in Bristol uk I’ve got a similar story. I’ve always kept myself looking fresh (I try lol) and not like a typical junkie, no offence to any of them. After a period of sobriety I’ve just relapsed and the gear is stronger and cheaper than ever. Don’t know if that’s going to help. I really need to have a chat with myself and get back into sobriety, before I spunk all of my savings from two years of sobriety.

[@Michelle-gw4db]

I was the last person that was using you name it. I thought I would never get sober. I'm sober and did it cold turkey. I never want to use ever again. I change people places and things.

[@painmt651]

Beautiful place to be.

[@1oAKsCreations]

I've personally had to narcan 4 people in the last 6 months. This fentanyl is wiping out so many people, it's breaking my heart to see it every day.

[@MikeManning-p8u]

What you put in your OWN mouth is your OWN choice! People need to stop playing the victims! These drug addicts don't want to listen to anyone.

[@funguy1086]

​@MikeManning-p8u once they are hooked, you can't convince them of anything unfortunately. They have to want it for themselves.

[@mitchellrawson4975]

You guys are of the mistaken opinion that addicts have a choice in the matter. Yes, at one point in time it was a choice to use and get high, but addict brains, once they've used a few times, the brain doesn't function like a normal persons brain, it's literally a mental illness, there are brain scans and neuroscientific reasons behind the shit. It's been related to a person who is dieing of thirst, and having water placed in front of them, the brain scans of an addict trying to not use and someone in that situation mimic each other The brain literally screams at them that they have no choice, that this is the only option. I get the sentiments of both sides tho for sure.

[@1oAKsCreations]

@@mitchellrawson4975 thank you, you put that so well. As an addict who has been clean for 17 years, I know that pain.

[@MikeManning-p8u]

@@mitchellrawson4975 The drugs didnt look for people. These addicts go searching for the drugs. I would love to sit around eating chocolate and junk food all day, but it's my choice not to do it.

[@williambaker-d7h]

As I sit in my new house remembering my homeless days, I knew there was a reason that I stayed away from dope and alcohol!

[@painmt651]

Grace of God!

[@dougwilson6778]

I have 10 years clean of opiates after a 20 plus year addiction

[@TrishPenland723]

Jesus loves ❤️ you congratulations!

[@eb0526]

Congratulations! God bless🙏🏾🥰

[@mariadavis3832]

Thank you for taking care of those in need and struggling.

[@BudArquette]

I get ur point but prolonging and rewarding the addition!

[@JoniBass-k1h]

I have 7 years clean and sober I had to hit a unbelievable rock bottom before I stopped

[@Bill-mj8hf]

The withdrawal from it is HORRENDOUS.

[@Lyla-j1v]

Hi dear... how’re you doing? it’s really nice coming across your amazing comment it would be nice if we could be friend 🌺🌺🌺🌺

[@Lyla-j1v]

Hi dear... how’re you doing? it’s really nice coming across your amazing comment it would be nice if we could be friend 🌺🌺🌺🌺

[@jojohill27]

Been on Suboxone since 2012 or so from opioid pill addiction yeah saved me I would have just continued to use

[@jamescurrie2246]

You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink. Yeah, but you can hold it there until it gets thirsty. That's a wise man.

[@Lyla-j1v]

Hi dear... how’re you doing? it’s really nice coming across your amazing comment it would be nice if we could be friend 🌺🌺🌺🌺

[@claire5399]

Scoliosis can be incredibly painful. Listening to one of the people being interviewed speaking, I wonder if his prescription for pain medication for his damaged spine was reduced significantly or if he just decided to try street medicine?

[@melothrien6774]

It’s very likely. Or what happened to me is…they KNOW we’re in pain, but they’re under a lot of pressure to quit prescribing, so they kept changing my meds to lesser drugs but the thing is…those lessers were given in the 80s and changed in the 90s for drugs with less side effects. So now we have to choose between like…pain or terrible nausea. The newer “breakthroughs” are much the same. I’d like to know where those OD stats come from. We need compassionate help for those with addiction problems, but lying to us about it doesn’t help.

[@robertyoung2819]

Well... I am a Severe Intractable Chronic Pain Patient... It is pretty much guaranteed they "REDUCED" His Pain management medication... You know... The whole "OPIOID CRISIS" and all... They had done that with me... From 100mcg Fentanyl Transdermal System plus 30mg oxycodone for breakthrough... So... They were like... We will have a Intrathecal Pain Pump installed... A catheter was to be placed in my Intrathecal space of my spinal canal... Well... IT WAS A FAILED SURGERY... The neurosurgeon said that "HE TRIED TO GET THE CATHETER PLACED... 7 OR 8 TIMES"... FAILED... First thing upon waking... He said that he wants to get an "MRI" Done... Of my thoracic spine... "TO FIND OUT WHY... HE COULDN'T PLACE THE CATHETER"... DOH!!! My question WAS... "WHY DIDN'T YOU DO THAT PRIOR TO... SHOVING THE CATHETER... SO MANY TIMES"... "To be sure that you would be able to do the surgery"... I really got no response from him... I went back to my pain management... You know... To get me back on proper pain management... Well the VA sent my provider to a different hospital... My "New" provider... Called me a drug addict... That my pain will go away... Once he tapered me off the analgesics... DOH!!! I WAS SUICIDAL FOR A FEW YEARS... FROM THE PAIN... As well as some of the drugs that they were trying on me... My pain was worsened from the FAILED SURGERY... As I already have severe neuropathies... Involving the nerves in my spinal column... I am now wheelchair bound... Along with various other issues from the total lack of pain management... So yea... Life is HELL... When you have to deal with Severe Medical issues... Without the help of Your providers...

[@Blunt_Man]

I assume a reduction in the dosage. Going through a similar situation where I've been on benzos for 2 decades and my current doctor wants to taper me off. I've told him I can get RC benzos legally or alcohol, they'll both do the exact same thing but it's a lot more sketchy. Idk why they just can't stop messing with people's meds, I get it when they're selling or abusing them but if they're not, just leave it alone!

[@mitchellrawson4975]

​@@Blunt_Manyeah man that's absolute bullshit. I have severe panic disorder with really terrible GAD but I guess due to the way I look and the fact that I am up front about what I want (literally have asked for like 2 to 3 mgs of Xanax a week, so literally fucking 8 pills a month and id be so fucking blessed) they will just absolutely never give me a fucking thing for my insomnia and anxiety and panic attacks. And it's like you fuckin scumbags, I could go BUY REAL DRUGS so much easier if I was just trying to fucking get high

[@mitchellrawson4975]

​@@melothrien6774plus all legislation and restrictions do is turn more people to street dope

[@traceeward5147]

The best people to help addicted people is ex addicted people who truly understand the addiction when I used to use people would try and tell me just quit just stop they have no idea how easy it is to say but not to do

[@phillittle5890]

When I was in active addiction myself and every other addict I knew would have gone to rehab if it had been as easy as it is for the guys in New York but we had to spend months attending drs appointments and getting passed from pillar to post just to get approved for rehab. There was no chance you could just decide one day to go to rehab

[@alexandratungstedt4385]

All addictions ruin lives and the ones around them

[@TashaBarrett-e7o]

A Tennessee girl, and never had I seen heroin or fentanyl until I moved to Louisiana. I've been an addict pretty much my whole life. I came here and ended up doing something that I thought was math and it ended up being fentanyl and od. My boyfriend put me in the shower and why did tell somebody brought some narcan. I am so embarrassed on myself knowing that I really didn't know the people that were giving it to me and still did it. After this my eyes have completely opened I no longer will let drugs control my life. I thank God everyday for not letting me overdose and die.

[@davidboyd4137]

Keep safe, God Bless 😊❤😊

[@davegilbertson4907]

I was in detox 2012. There was an individual in there who knew the staff as if they were friends. Come to find out he's a regular customer. If he shoots to much or it gets away from him he goes to detox. Gets back down without withdrawal. Gets good meals

[@Lyla-j1v]

Hi dear... how’re you doing? it’s really nice coming across your amazing comment it would be nice if we could be friend 🌺🌺🌺🌺

[@evajimenez-fd6lr]

Such a miserable addiction Not fun at all just highly addictive.

[@painmt651]

Some people think addiction is about partying…nothing could be further from the truth, where opioids are concerned. Once you are hooked, there is almost never any fun, ever again!

[@debihaines2655]

I fully understand addiction clean over 15 years but I cant understand how its allowed or legal to go to a public place and shhot up

[@BluezzEh]

They're putting the cart before the horse. If you have people wanting drugs, there will always be someone willing to deal. To get rid of drug dealers, you first need to get rid of the demand. Money and effort should focus on solving the social issues that cause people to start using. And doing that costs less money. And focus on getting addicts straight.That also costs less money.

[@LuciThomasHardylover-qx6ts]

This is what I keep saying. The internet is heavily biased to American culture but the drug barons are targeting the remotest corners of the earth. These problems are everywhere and we need to address why? Why are so many people feeling unable to get through their days without being in a state of semi suicide. However bad things feel as a planet, we've never had it so good. Global poverty is a fraction of what it was a generation or two ago, life expectancy is at unprecedentedly high levels, education, health care..we have options our grandparents dreamed of. So why don't we feel it. Who is benefitting from keeping people in a state of permanent anxiety and pessimism? Why do we let them? Why do we feel so dis-empowered? Why do we let them set us against each other instead of laying the blame where it squarely lays? We call it shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted!!

[@painmt651]

Way cheaper than prisons and ER visits

[@LuciThomasHardylover-qx6ts]

@@painmt651 but for the people trying to provide those preventative services in an economy based on competition and markets,how do you get any of that funding when you can't ' prove' that it was what you did that stopped something happening? You can prove that you put someone in prison for breaking the law... but how do you prove that having good youth services, good schools and meaningful employment prevents drug abuse and crime? Most of us know that it does, but we don't vote for politicians who do, people vote for low taxes and buy what's cheapest. So businesses move the jobs to where they can exploit the workers and governments fail to provide services.🤷

[@staceyloeffler6795]

21 day detox never works. The last week, the dose is too low, too fast. You are so sick from withdrawl, that you seek out your initial drug of abuse.

[@galegrazutis964]

They should be paying for detox them selves. I an dick of my taxes going to thesejunkiees4

[@swerve3031]

They do 3 days detox here in michigan. How well you think that works? It makes no sense

[@filthforce]

@@swerve3031 if u been using fent, 3 days in, and it's still not even fully left your system. things were a lot different with true opiates of the past

[@brimzs]

@@swerve3031 wtf 😳

[@bonnytaylor7558]

My brother died from an accidental fentanyl overdose. I think giving out those test kits is such a great idea. ❤ I don’t know if we have that in Canada. They do give out clean needles and naloxone.

[@Lyla-j1v]

Hi dear... how’re you doing? it’s really nice coming across your amazing comment it would be nice if we could be friend 🌺🌺🌺🌺

[@Geena860]

We do recover, wether is cold turkey or suboxone by any means necessesary for anyone to stop. Stop judging how ppl choose to be sober, be supportive instead bc is hard. 20 plus years my 25 yr old nor my 15 yr old seen me in a jail cell or in active addiction. I chose tbe cold turkey route after detox but i respect anyone who decides to save their lives.

[@mijuajua4820]

exactly ❤

[@Unknown_Ooh]

Seeing Simon here is wild, i remember him from the OG Vice days 😂

[@chairmanmeow7297]

Although I don't completely agree but this might actually work. Seems like they took the same approach that Seattle implemented. Except I find that this approach seems more preventive by having drugs tested for content prior to use. Like one of the long term addict said, it's no longer euphoria but using it from having withdrawal pain. In Seattle, they provide methadone den for those who are the trying to wean them off the drugs under controled environment. I applaud these people who are helping out anyway they can.

[@calvalita]

I lived ( drug free ) sober in Seattle for over 30.years. It's such a beautiful, enchanting, caring, intelligent interesting city. I am praying and rooting for Seattle that it will recover and return to the glorious, fun environment it once was. I now live in a red state, one that is more religious and less liberal.

[@friedmandesigns]

@@calvalita It's an absolute sh**-hole now. Resident for decades. Now much happier living the mountain-man life on the edge of multiple borders. Hoping it also gets back to itself, but it needs to hit rock bottom first ... which it's just a few years away from.

[@AvaLiveLife]

At 46:30 Shannon talks about her understanding of her conviction and that the user had other drugs, (including lethal doses of fentanyl) that they had other drugs that they were taking that were found at the scene therefore, it was not conclusive that what Shannon supplied led directly to the victim’s de@th. What she didn’t mention is that whatever else is found at the scene, Shannon’s delivery of drugs *contributed* to the death of the victim despite the victim already being an addict. She was convicted of manslaughter in the first degree and muяder in the second degree. The actor Jim Carrey supplied his girlfriend with drugs but, was not incarcerated for fifteen years. There’s a lack of consistency for lots of obvious reasons but, ultimately it doesn’t solve the issue of addressing *why* people become addicted. Treating the whole person, including through mental health support (having affordable access to resources, such as therapy) and not just the symptoms is key. Ramone was a perfect example, he stated: “it’s more psychological” when talking about twenty days of not using.

[@glentanner4770]

Looks like West Virginia's still holding strong at number one, but has some serious competition on its heels.

[@Lyla-j1v]

Hi dear... how’re you doing? it’s really nice coming across your amazing comment it would be nice if we could be friend 🌺🌺🌺🌺

[@gregcooks9]

Great work Simon and crew

[@Panguz]

23:44 Ah yeah just say "don't use". This guy clearly doesn't know how addiction truly works.. Once you're hooked, you don't have much of a choice.. Your brain forces you in all possible ways to use. I'm in recovery for 3y of opiods and it was REALLY hard to quit.. I still work daily to suppress thoughts about using, every day it gets a bit easier. One day at a time ❤

[@staceyloeffler6795]

The FIRST time I used heroin, I was addicted.

[@Blunt_Man]

Dude is a government puppet, he's safe in his multi million dollar home and has no idea what is going on outside of what he's told and he doesn't care, he only cares about having a good public perception smh.

[@TimP-mf9hm]

Of course not, he's essentially a politician, he cares more about public perception than information and providing the proper treatment smh.

[@ChicMcDonald-ex3lt]

Thank you sir for having the bravery to go into these areas to see the real stories of the addicts it was heartbreaking to hear their struggles to get the next hit and what they would do to get the money, I can’t think of a worse punishment than an opioid addict needing that hit everyday always thinking about the next hit, I don’t know how they do it

[@drintx5734]

46:08 sorry, lady, selling someone DRUGS that kill them is murder. Your excuses are bullshit.

[@arizvisa]

Wow. Love Simon's work.

[@oliverseiler2871]

44:30 she is a dealer, she sold a drug. It is that simple. Dont make victims out of dealers. No one forced her to sell drugs.

[@AMERICAFIRST54]

She should have kept her mouth shut, or had a attorney present during questioning.

[@mikes9223]

We need some form of legalization. People are going to use no matter what. The war on drugs has failed. Were doing more harm than good and spending billions of dollars since regan began his war on drugs.

[@13donstalos]

It first started in the early 70's with Nixon

[@carlpitlick5104]

Unfortunately, Oregon is now the go-to example. Legalization didn’t work well there but that was due to several main reasons, one being the system that was supposed to replace criminal justice was never a realized option.

[@bubbasanches4591]

It's on purpose, fent comes from China as an act of war, they know they can attack the west without stepping foot here. Blame China and the US govt.

[@adaaa11]

How does that help anyone? They’re already free from legal consequences so what does making it legal do? You think they’re going to get better if it’s medical grade? You think they’d be able to hold a job, or function in society? You think they wouldn’t still commit crimes to afford their habit? It doesn’t change anything

[@Thomas_Jefferson_420]

Yeah because it certainly worked for Oregon

[@mariafrmdaBX]

So glad I’m not in NYC anymore!! BX in the house!! I know exactly where they filmed this!! 1:22 The HUB!! I had the privilege of meeting Albert!! Good man!! Lived in the Highbridge section of the Bronx!! Exactly where they do their resource work from!! 4:35 unfortunately I know so many people that are still in active addiction that the dose they just showed would not even get them high! Thank God for recovery! 7:52 I know a couple of the guys he’s standing there with they’re there every single day of the week even on Sunday, pouring rain, snow, you name it! Live in Texas now and I’m much happier! 15:04 Harlem 125 street actually it’s on 126th St. right behind my old methadone program which I am now off of and clean for nine years! 15:36 I know Pat too! Like going Down Memory lane, a lane I never want to be in again

[@LaurieValdez-zk3dy]

Good luck and thank you.

[@pbgreenroom]

Such great, kind heated, people... loving 1 person at a time, right where they are. God bless you!

[@davehughes53]

The reasons the numbers have declined in NJ is because a whole generation of heroin addicts is dead. The mission was a success. It is widely known that rehab and jail doesn’t work. The recidivism rate is around 80%. The cost to society was too high so someone decided to rid the streets. It’s sad

[@eddiemclaughlin-e2m]

Somethings just do not add up .....

[@danielmatthews132]

That’s why they released all drug addicts from prisons across the United States… thank your politician

[@13donstalos]

Illuminati... spooky...

[@MbisonBalrog]

But next gen not addicted? How? Or maybe the NJ addicts moved to NYC.

[@Blunt_Man]

​@@MbisonBalrogGen Z watched millennial relatives go from oxy to boy and eventually, to a coffin. They're still using, just less doing fades, more party dr**s like molly and k, they avoided the dangerous things thanks to my generation getting percs for a tooth ache at 14 and going to the streets because they enjoyed them.

[@Lk-jc1998]

Harm reduction does the complete opposite

[@brimzs]

Enabling

[@Evilushka]

Statistically untrue

[@lisafowler6278]

I loved Albert Aponte for many different reasons, but especially love the way he answered the question about expectations for the man who decided to go to rehab and long-term treatment. Basically he said, “I don’t put expectations on anybody.” This is something my husband and I decided together, many years ago. When we decide to help someone, in any context, we do it freely and don’t put any expectations on it. For example, say we’re talking about money; we only loan (or give) if we can afford to let go of it. People promise to pay it back, and if they do, that’s great. If they don’t, we probably won’t do it again for them, but we won’t hold on to any anger, resentment, or other negative emotions. When we gave the money, we did it for our own reasons and mentally let go of it. Whether people keep their promise to pay it back or not is about who they are. We’re not gonna waste time worrying about it.

[@newbengraham4775]

the messed up part is that the dealers count on the rescue efforts to keep the demand going.

[@friedmandesigns]

Boom-pow. Nailed it.

[@takishaslife1557]

Heartbreaking to watch 😢

[@DanHarley]

What a great country we live in when you have to sell this stuff over-the-counter at every drugstore we have a huge, huge epidemic, and we have to put an end to it. The cost of human lives the cost of human capital the drain on our system is too much to bear we have to draw a line in the sand and decide what is right and what is wrongis the future we want for our children?

[@michaelwalker-es6we]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤😂😢🎉 You have made a huge impact! Thankfully, that silvery smile shown on NYC! People who have never been there, have always been cynical towards their fellow citizens who have fallen victim betwixt their country. This has been exacerbated whole heartedly in my experience. Hence why we need more people like this independent expose, thru eyes 👀 in an ambiguous manner. Just facts, never mind the bolocks 😊

[@Mom.3]

If only, we did this much work with using and having available epi pens readily avail……

[@mitchellrawson4975]

I'm confused, what is you're statement about

[@gundytiger]

So many unproductive people...drug addicted...the taxpayers..the workers...paying to save them.

[@brandnewyou5254]

Yes ma'am you are exactly right you need to use all the tools in the toolbox

[@jacobkain4721]

"I don't see how putting an addict away in jail is solving any of the issues," says the addict put away in jail but not just for being an addict she *supplied* fentanyl big time or small time it doesn't matter. She's shirking her responsibility in this death armageddon, acting as though she's a victim, it's cowardice and it's the driving force behind the perpetuation of this distribution of death: "I'm just using/delivering/sharing, the "real" bad guys are to blame and I'm powerless against them." Bullshit! edit: and this is coming from a recovering addict of different drugs, I'm not a naïve closed-gate community dweller, trust me!!

[@eveslilith]

Enabling on a whole other level. Open a rehab or shelter.

[@CarollenGale-cf6pj]

Very good watch. I learned a lot

[@kambrose1549]

Every dealer is a real dealer for the person who buys from them

[@dpofahl]

45:50 this is a dumb argument. Lethal for one is not lethal for another. Here’s an idea….don’t sell drugs if you aren’t willing to pay the consequences of your actions.

[@bostonfrombrady]

Patrick!!! Well done. Get out if NYC go get clean and live till your 70s its not to late! PLEASE!

[@Lyla-j1v]

Hi dear... how’re you doing? it’s really nice coming across your amazing comment it would be nice if we could be friend 🌺🌺🌺🌺

[@bostonfrombrady]

@@Lyla-j1v You want to be friend?

[@Lyla-j1v]

@bostonfrombrady yes do you wish

[@lovesign7882]

It is so incredibly sad that the person in charge of this at the DEA, Frank Tarentino, either doesn't understand exactly what he is saying or is being deliberately deceptive. He said that a test strip could miss a "hot spot", and kill someone even if their test shows negative. A hot spot is an area that has a higher concentration of the drug. While it is POSSIBLE, it is very rare for a test strip to show a false negative. For him to discourage the use of test strips as a result of his ignorance or his disdain for addicts is heartbreaking. A person with this kind of attitude should be locked away in an office where they don't interact with the public.

[@Jenny-uv4dl]

They DEA makes money off drug dealers

[@carisaunders2346]

Arrogant man.

[@evarene07]

I don’t why this woman is shocked to be convicted. She supplied drugs to someone who overdosed. She’s trying to play semantics with the “well, there were other drugs found there that I no part of.” I agree dealers should also be prosecuted…and regardless of her denial, she was the “dealer/supplier.”

[@DianneWorman]

How about Purdue paying some billions to help these addicts. Actually, the schools should be educating the children that you should never use any pills unless they are legitimate, they are even lacing weed with it. Parents must constantly be discussing this with their children. ❤❤

[@dogsareme100]

The trouble with that is that sometimes the pills start out legitimate rge doctor then cuts them off cold turckey and they are addicted and then doctors are afraid to prescribe it long term to people who need it. My idea is that instead prescribe either at the same time or at the end the medication to help them get off of it. This way the people who need it long term can use it without the doctors being afraid of getting people addicted you may could even encourage people to have Narcan with the prescribtion.

[@sophie9951]

Wow, i live in West Virginia alot of ODs but no idea we was first in overdose deaths. Very sad . U guys r doing a good job 👍❤

[@fgh-ff9fk]

simon!!! i was watching your reporting on vice 10 years ago in ukraine!!!!! happy to see you here !! you're the best

[@anm2945]

It's about the money NOT the addict.

[@BlackSmurfPunk]

13:07 We do have rooms like this in Frankfurt, Germany, for a long time. We even had a place where they gave pur heroin to the junkies under controlled conditions, working real effective for the people who needed help.

[@khoges8063]

Wow, good on new york for supporting safe injectuon sites. Im from canada and im not a drug user but our government is shutting down safe injection sites. They save lives!

[@StopWhining491]

This is frightening.

[@karenmbbaxter]

In my city we have a safe injecting room but drug dealers started to infilitrate into the staff. The police want to check there are no drug pushers and sellers who work on these safe injecting rooms.

[@brimzs]

Safe injecting room . Is an Oxymoron

[@willshedo]

13:30 the first monitored safe-injection site in the States, in the 2020ies?? Switzerland started these in the early nineties, successfully. Germany followed. Nowadays you find them in many cities around Europe. And the US didnt bother yet?

[@CMoore8539]

Thumbs Up 👍 and shared out.🖤

[@69ElChistoso]

42:27 Refuses to take responsibility. She should have gotten more time.

[@santacruzcakeepinitreal5840]

while addiction may be a "health issue," and I can debate that, the property crime that feeds addiction is a criminal offense. Just so we're clear in that.

[@chricweedon2205]

I need to be a junkie to get health care I make 100 dollars over the guidelines lmao

[@FernFokes-tu6vs]

A subject I've thought long 🇦🇺🙏🏻and hard about and I have many different perspectives and than I sigh because I realise one has to always follow the money.

[@williamlee9669]

Shannon sold someone drugs as a dealer and got put in jail for it. She is not a user in this case. She deserves all that 12 years she got, if not more.

[@chricweedon2205]

That saying never changes nobody do anything for me do for yourself and you can appreciate what you have

[@opiumdensRus]

That chick in prison deserves the time for making the sick custee wait from 4:30a.m. til 5:30 p.m. that day. Typical dealer.

[@eddiemclaughlin-e2m]

not a user of opioids but that was a dog move .......i have no sympathy for her ....

[@outtosea25]

Straight power trip.

[@13donstalos]

That was exactly what I thought. Why is every dealer like that? They have the easiest job in the world

[@eddiemclaughlin-e2m]

@@outtosea25 yeah, i had a coke dealer who loved to lay it on you ,then call at 9am the next morning for the money !! I always had it but for those that didnt......he was on you !!!

[@brimzs]

Yep tossers 😂

[@emilypigg883]

I wasted most of my 20s doing hard drugs meth herion cocaine your name I was doing it I literally hit my knees one night and I prayed to God to get me out of that life I promise you I got arrested that night then fentanyl wasn't even around at that time I've been clean now going on 7 years and I would never look back I would be scared to use the drugs that are around today

[@kimmarleen14]

If they had it free narcan they should also hand out free insulin and free birth control. In Germany we get the meds free but no one heard of narcan here. I didn't think I know a single person addicted to fentanyl

[@stevengill1736]

Naloxone (Narcan) is used in every country of the world - it may have a different name in Germany, but all hospitals and most paramedics stock it

[@mikes9223]

Thats bc germany still has heroin available on black market. Plus you have heroin rx like we have methadone. Id give my left leg to live in a country that actually cares about its most vulnerable

[@13donstalos]

That's because Germany doesn't share a border with Mexico

[@filthforce]

insulin back 25 years ago used to be really cheap and available OTC.... you had to ask for it at the phatmacy, but just ask, you can get it, and syringes, for just a few bucks. then over the past two decades they increased the price TWENTY-FOLD and more, just out of pure greed. cost of production has actually gone down

[@themapoe]

Birth control is literally not free in Germany

[@williamwilson6499]

I’m over feeling bad for these people.

[@KeithFoad]

There is that old saying that if the police did their job properly, there would not be any drugs on the street?

[@hangingon]

This issue goes up the ladder way past the police. Laws & policies have been passed that make the police unable to do their jobs. You have to know that right?

[@robertrudick2492]

I disagree if you share drigs with others and there is a death you dhould be held for homicide. You are giving another poison. Thats just my opinion. Ty

[@johnmoran4005]

im from canada ontario you nyc getting their fetty from up north in canada the precursers arent as controled as in usa and our street fentanyl is avg 10-20% purirty which is higher than average but we got safe supply program which gives users prescription hydromorphone everyday to not use fentnayl etc with free rehabs and detoxes

[@FernFokes-tu6vs]

What is hydromorphone?

[@mitchellrawson4975]

​@@FernFokes-tu6vsit's like either Dilaudid or opana

[@catvapecult5876]

@@FernFokes-tu6vs a less dangerous opioid than fent but still strong enough for addicts.

[@adaaa11]

Yeah and then they turn around and sell their script to go buy what they really want We have drugs to stop cravings and withdrawal. That are longer lasting and actually shown to be effective

[@adaaa11]

@@FernFokes-tu6vsit’s a pain killer. Basically like handing out oxys

[@angelajones4176]

That’s happened to so many and it’s so wrong…