Matt Bair and Ryan Hedrick dive into the complexities of the fentanyl crisis, discussing how the drug has killed hundreds of thousands in recent years. Fentanyl is dangerous not only because of its strength but also because it's often mixed with other drugs. People are using it both knowingly and unknowingly, as it's found in pills, powder, and even marijuana. Law enforcement is seeing more fentanyl in traffic stops and raids across the country.

Special Guest:
Michael Gannon, Assistant Special Agent in Charge (DEA-Indianapolis), joins the show to discuss enforcement, prevention, and education efforts around the fentanyl crisis.

Timestamps & Key Discussions:



19:37 - 20:33: Gannon explains the two types of fentanyl – one prescribed by doctors and the other made by drug traffickers and shipped across the U.S.



20:34 - 22:25: Gannon reflects on when fentanyl became a significant problem, recalling his time as a lead agent in Florida. He highlights how fentanyl has caused a rise in overdose deaths.



23:06 - 26:39: There's never been a more dangerous time to use drugs. The DEA warns against taking pills unless prescribed by a doctor, emphasizing the risks of accepting drugs from friends.



27:04 - 29:34: Gannon illustrates the potency of fentanyl, comparing lethal doses to the size of a pencil tip or penny. He shares heartbreaking stories from 911 calls, including a young girl who lost her father to an overdose.



30:00 - 32:00: Discussion on carfentanil, a tranquilizer for elephants, which is now being mixed into street drugs. Gannon also names cartels involved in trafficking fentanyl.



32:15 - 34:15: People are being poisoned by drug dealers selling fentanyl, and Gannon talks about the difficulties in prosecuting these cases.



35:15 - 36:41: Gannon explains Red Ribbon Week, paying tribute to DEA Special Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, whose death inspired the movement for a drug-free nation.



Resources: 

You can find us on X and Instagram: @sobriety_pod. Supporting Sobriety is also available on major podcast platforms like Spotify and Apple. Please like, subscribe, and rate our podcast! 

Guest resource: 2024 National Red Ribbon Rally | Get Smart About Drugs

Al-Anon: Al-Anon.tiorg

Meetings: aa.rgroup.org/meengs

NA Meetings: virtual-na.orginte

Suicide Prevention Hotline: (800) 273-8255

Matt Bair and Ryan Hedrick dive into the complexities of the fentanyl crisis, discussing how the drug has killed hundreds of thousands in recent years. Fentanyl is dangerous not only because of its strength but also because it's often mixed with other drugs. People are using it both knowingly and unknowingly, as it's found in pills, powder, and even marijuana. Law enforcement is seeing more fentanyl in traffic stops and raids across the country.
Special Guest: Michael Gannon, Assistant Special Agent in Charge (DEA-Indianapolis), joins the show to discuss enforcement, prevention, and education efforts around the fentanyl crisis.
Timestamps &amp; Key Discussions:
 
19:37 - 20:33: Gannon explains the two types of fentanyl – one prescribed by doctors and the other made by drug traffickers and shipped across the U.S.
 
20:34 - 22:25: Gannon reflects on when fentanyl became a significant problem, recalling his time as a lead agent in Florida. He highlights how fentanyl has caused a rise in overdose deaths.
 
23:06 - 26:39: There's never been a more dangerous time to use drugs. The DEA warns against taking pills unless prescribed by a doctor, emphasizing the risks of accepting drugs from friends.
 
27:04 - 29:34: Gannon illustrates the potency of fentanyl, comparing lethal doses to the size of a pencil tip or penny. He shares heartbreaking stories from 911 calls, including a young girl who lost her father to an overdose.
 
30:00 - 32:00: Discussion on carfentanil, a tranquilizer for elephants, which is now being mixed into street drugs. Gannon also names cartels involved in trafficking fentanyl.
 
32:15 - 34:15: People are being poisoned by drug dealers selling fentanyl, and Gannon talks about the difficulties in prosecuting these cases.
 
35:15 - 36:41: Gannon explains Red Ribbon Week, paying tribute to DEA Special Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, whose death inspired the movement for a drug-free nation.
 
Resources: 
You can find us on X and Instagram: @sobriety_pod. Supporting Sobriety is also available on major podcast platforms like Spotify and Apple. Please like, subscribe, and rate our podcast! 
Guest resource: <a href="https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/2024-national-red-ribbon-rally">2024 National Red Ribbon Rally | Get Smart About Drugs</a>
Al-Anon: Al-Anon.tiorg
Meetings: aa.rgroup.org/meengs
NA Meetings: virtual-na.orginte
Suicide Prevention Hotline: (800) 273-8255

The Mission

The Supporting Sobriety Podcast is dedicated to providing hope to the unsung heroes behind those struggling with addiction…their friends and family.

We will share insights, stories and resources to help listeners support their loved ones and care for themselves on the recovery journey.

The Hosts

Matt Bair

Matt considers himself blessed to be a recovering alcoholic. His lifetime profession as a radio broadcaster has been derailed multiple times by alcohol abuse but he remains alive and employed through the grace of God and help of others.

Matt lives by the humility introduced in the first step of 12-step recovery, that the alcoholic is truly “powerless over alcohol,” and the alcoholic in use of alcohol possesses a life that is “unmanageable.” He enunciates these beliefs in teaching recovery to alcoholics and addicts, while understanding there’s more to learn from the ones who don’t make it (Keep. Coming. Back). He truly believes everything “always gets better” if you don’t take the next drink or drug. Matt is dedicated to “supporting the supporters” like those who have been critical to his ongoing sobriety.

Matt is the long-time morning and afternoon traffic reporter for WIBC / Indianapolis.

Ryan Hedrick

Ryan Hedrick's life has been a journey of recovery from a challenging battle with addiction spanning nearly 25 years. His struggles with cocaine and methamphetamine led him down a dangerous path, marked by numerous attempts at treatment. However, salvation came in the form of a 12-step program that became his sanctuary.

To break free from the shackles of addiction, Ryan committed himself to giving back to recovery communities nationwide. He extended his support by bringing 12-step meetings to jails and institutions, sponsoring men on their recovery journeys, and regularly attending meetings. Like his co-host, the clutches of drugs and alcohol jeopardized Ryan's life and his career in radio.

Ryan is currently a reporter and morning news anchor at WIBC/Indianapolis where he met his podcast co-host Matt Bair. Together they strive to offer a beacon of hope to those grappling with similar struggles. Their podcast aims to reach and assist individuals behind the scenes by sharing personal experiences, strength, and hope with their followers. Through their collective journey, Ryan and Matt seek to inspire and support those supporting loved ones on the path to recovery.

The Mission
The Supporting Sobriety Podcast is dedicated to providing hope to the unsung heroes behind those struggling with addiction…their friends and family.
We will share insights, stories and resources to help listeners support their loved ones and care for themselves on the recovery journey.
The Hosts 
Matt Bair
Matt considers himself blessed to be a recovering alcoholic. His lifetime profession as a radio broadcaster has been derailed multiple times by alcohol abuse but he remains alive and employed through the grace of God and help of others.
Matt lives by the humility introduced in the first step of 12-step recovery, that the alcoholic is truly “powerless over alcohol,” and the alcoholic in use of alcohol possesses a life that is “unmanageable.” He enunciates these beliefs in teaching recovery to alcoholics and addicts, while understanding there’s more to learn from the ones who don’t make it (Keep. Coming. Back). He truly believes everything “always gets better” if you don’t take the next drink or drug. Matt is dedicated to “supporting the supporters” like those who have been critical to his ongoing sobriety.
Matt is the long-time morning and afternoon traffic reporter for WIBC / Indianapolis.
Ryan Hedrick
Ryan Hedrick's life has been a journey of recovery from a challenging battle with addiction spanning nearly 25 years. His struggles with cocaine and methamphetamine led him down a dangerous path, marked by numerous attempts at treatment. However, salvation came in the form of a 12-step program that became his sanctuary.
To break free from the shackles of addiction, Ryan committed himself to giving back to recovery communities nationwide. He extended his support by bringing 12-step meetings to jails and institutions, sponsoring men on their recovery journeys, and regularly attending meetings. Like his co-host, the clutches of drugs and alcohol jeopardized Ryan's life and his career in radio.
Ryan is currently a reporter and morning news anchor at WIBC/Indianapolis where he met his podcast co-host Matt Bair. Together they strive to offer a beacon of hope to those grappling with similar struggles. Their podcast aims to reach and assist individuals behind the scenes by sharing personal experiences, strength, and hope with their followers. Through their collective journey, Ryan and Matt seek to inspire and support those supporting loved ones on the path to recovery.

Supporting Sobriety Podcast

The Mission
The Supporting Sobriety Podcast is dedicated to providing hope to the unsung heroes behind those struggling with addiction…their friends and family.
We will share insights, stories and resources to help listeners support their loved ones and care for themselves on the recovery journey.
The Hosts
Matt Bair
Matt considers himself blessed to be a recovering alcoholic. His lifetime profession as a radio broadcaster has been derailed multiple times by alcohol abuse but he remains alive and employed through the grace of God and help of others.
Matt lives by the humility introduced in the first step of 12-step recovery, that the alcoholic is truly “powerless over alcohol,” and the alcoholic in use of alcohol possesses a life that is “unmanageable.” He enunciates these beliefs in teaching recovery to alcoholics and addicts, while understanding there’s more to learn from the ones who don’t make it (Keep. Coming. Back). He truly believes everything “always gets better” if you don’t take the next drink or drug. Matt is dedicated to “supporting the supporters” like those who have been critical to his ongoing sobriety.
Matt is the long-time morning and afternoon traffic reporter for WIBC / Indianapolis.
Ryan Hedrick
Ryan Hedrick's life has been a journey of recovery from a challenging battle with addiction spanning nearly 25 years. His struggles with cocaine and methamphetamine led him down a dangerous path, marked by numerous attempts at treatment. However, salvation came in the form of a 12-step program that became his sanctuary.
To break free from the shackles of addiction, Ryan committed himself to giving back to recovery communities nationwide. He extended his support by bringing 12-step meetings to jails and institutions, sponsoring men on their recovery journeys, and regularly attending meetings. Like his co-host, the clutches of drugs and alcohol jeopardized Ryan's life and his career in radio.
Ryan is currently a reporter and morning news anchor at WIBC/Indianapolis where he met his podcast co-host Matt Bair. Together they strive to offer a beacon of hope to those grappling with similar struggles. Their podcast aims to reach and assist individuals behind the scenes by sharing personal experiences, strength, and hope with their followers. Through their collective journey, Ryan and Matt seek to inspire and support those supporting loved ones on the path to recovery.

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