9 chapters across the catalog
NPR's Framing of Record Drug Overdose Deaths
NPR reported on the record 101,000 drug overdose deaths in the U.S., largely fueled by fentanyl and methamphetamine. The hosts criticize the segment's attempt to find "positive news" and "hope" within the tragic statistics, characterizing it as a way to fill airtime with "musical beds" and abstract narratives.
Andrew Gillum Hotel Incident and Richard Quest Callback
Former Florida gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum was discovered by police in a Miami Beach hotel room where another man was being treated for a suspected drug overdose. Officers found bags of crystal methamphetamine in the room, though Gillum denied using drugs and claimed he was merely intoxicated from a wedding. The incident drew comparisons to CNN anchor Richard Quest's 2008 arrest in Central Park involving drugs and specialized equipment.
Los Angeles Homelessness, Mental Illness, and Random Attacks
Investigative reports from Los Angeles detail a surge in random violent attacks committed by homeless individuals suffering from untreated mental illness and drug addiction. One specific incident involved a woman being doused with hot liquid feces near the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The reports highlight a "revolving door" justice system where suspects with multiple felony convictions are released shortly after new assaults.
John C. Dvorak recounts a 2008 incident involving CNN aviation correspondent Richard Quest, who was arrested in Central Park. The report details Quest being found with methamphetamine and a rope configuration involving his neck and genitals, which the hosts use to mock his current credibility as a news analyst.
Donald Trump, Mexican Heroin and Methamphetamine Trade
Donald Trump's campaign rhetoric regarding Mexican immigrants and drug trafficking is compared to testimony from FBI Director James Comey. Comey confirmed that Mexican cartels have shifted to growing and refining their own high-purity heroin and manufacturing methamphetamine in large factories. This data corroborates Trump's claims about the "tidal wave" of drugs entering the U.S. from the southern border.
A discussion on the chemical similarities between methamphetamine and prescription Adderall leads to a historical look at amphetamine use. The hosts note that "Benny's" (Benzedrine) were distributed like candy to Navy gunners during World War II to keep them alert, comparing the jumpy side effects to modern "tweaking."
Michael Hastings Autopsy, Red Top vs Purple Top Tubes
The coroner's report for Rolling Stone journalist Michael Hastings, who died in a high-speed car crash, indicates the presence of methamphetamine, DMT, and marijuana in his system. However, a discrepancy is identified between the coroner's report, which specifies blood was placed in a "purple top tube," and the lab report, which lists a "red top tube." This inconsistency leads to a claim that the toxicology samples may have been switched or tampered with to discredit Hastings.
Methamphetamine Production, Smurfing and Pseudoephedrine
To combat domestic methamphetamine production, officials are considering making pseudoephedrine a prescription-only substance. The strategy also targets "smurfing," a practice where individuals visit multiple stores to purchase small amounts of precursor chemicals to bypass legal limits.
A study from Australia claims that HPV vaccinations have been highly successful, even among boys. Simultaneously, the Journal of the American Chemical Society published a study on the development of a "methamphetamine vaccine" designed to create an immune response to the drug. The hosts question the logic of a vaccine for a behavioral addiction and suggest it is a move toward securing government contracts for mandatory injections.
