One Pill Can Kill

In this special re-release for the Season 5 finale of Awkward Conversations, host Jodie Sweetin and co-host Amy McCarthy revisit a critical conversation about the dangers of counterfeit pills and the ongoing fentanyl crisis affecting families across the United States. They are joined by DEA experts Richard Lucey and Joe Bozenko, who explain how illicit drug manufacturers are producing increasingly dangerous synthetic opioids and distributing counterfeit pills that can be deadly. The discussion highlights how social media and online drug markets are reaching young people, why even a single pill can be fatal, and what families should know about prevention and lifesaving tools like naloxone. This episode reinforces an essential message for parents and teens alike: never take pills that were not prescribed to you and dispensed by a trusted pharmacy. Key Takeaways: 02:26 Fentanyl Reality Check 05:56 New Synthetic Opioids 10:21 One Pill Can Kill 13:18 Parents and Schools 17:41 Tech and Social Media 20:22 Prevention Resources 22:23 Test Strips Limits 25:03 Naloxone Saves Lives Jodie Sweetin is an actress, author, and advocate, best known for her role as Stephanie Tanner on the iconic sitcom "Full House" and its sequel "Fuller House". In 2009 she penned her memoir, "unSweetined", which chronicles her journey through addiction and into recovery. With her frank and open approach, Jodie has emerged as a compelling speaker and advocate who now seeks to use her platform and experiences to educate others and reduce the stigma associated with addiction and recovery. @jodiesweetin Amy McCarthy, LICSW, is a Director of Clinical Social Work at Boston Children's Hospital’s Division of Addiction Medicine. She has been working in the Adolescent Substance Use and Addiction Program since 2019 @amymccarthylicsw Richard Lucey has more than three decades of experience at the state and federal government levels working to prevent alcohol and drug use and misuse among youth and young adults, especially college students. He currently serves as a senior prevention program manager in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Community Outreach and Prevention Support Section. Rich formerly served as special assistant to the director for the federal Center for Substance Abuse Prevention and worked as an education program specialist in the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools. Joe Bozenko is a Senior Research Chemist with the DEA’s Special Testing and Research Laboratory at Dulles, Virginia, and a Scientific Advisor to DEA’s Special Operations Division. He’s been with the DEA for 21 years and investigates synthetic drug manufacturing around the world. Mr. Bozenko is closely involved with science-related officer safety and leads DEA’s handheld instrumentation testing and evaluation. Supporting Organizations: The Elks: With nearly one million members across 2,000 lodges, the Elks are dedicated to youth drug prevention through their Drug and Alcohol Prevention (DAP) program. They have donated over $3.6 billion to various causes, including the creation of the first VA hospital for veterans. Elks Drug Awareness Program Website: https://bit.ly/44SunO6 The DEA: Established in 1973, the DEA enforces U.S. controlled substance laws nationally and internationally, with offices around the globe. DEA Website: https://bit.ly/44ed9K9 Resources/Links: Get Smart About Drugs: https://bit.ly/45dm8vY DEA on Instagram: https://bit.ly/3KqL7Uj Elks Kid Zone Website: https://bit.ly/3s79Zdt SAMHSA’s “Talk. They Hear You.” Campaign: https://www.samhsa.gov/talk-they-hear-you DSM-5 Substance Use Disorder Definition: https://www.psychiatry.org/file%20library/psychiatrists/practice/dsm/apa_dsm-5-substance-use-disorder.pdf