In this powerful episode of From Prevention to Recovery, host Marcel Gemme sits down with Jan Rader, West Virginia's first female fire chief and a pioneering force in changing how communities respond to the opioid epidemic. Featured in the Oscar-nominated Netflix documentary "Heroin(e)," Jan shares her remarkable journey from witnessing a cardiac arrest in a jewelry store to becoming one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People.

Jan discusses how Huntington, West Virginia, became known as "ground zero" for the opioid crisis—not because it was the worst affected, but because they chose transparency over silence. She reveals how her dual background as a paramedic and nurse shaped her compassionate approach to addiction, treating every person with dignity regardless of their circumstances.

Listeners will learn about:

• The critical importance of destigmatizing substance use disorder
• How collaboration between agencies creates real community change
• The power of harm reduction programs and why they save lives
• What Jan learned directly from her patients about addiction
• Practical advice for families dealing with loved ones struggling with addiction
• Prevention strategies that actually work for young people

Jan's message is clear: people do recover, and how we treat those struggling with addiction can make all the difference. This episode is essential listening for anyone touched by addiction, first responders, healthcare workers, and community leaders looking to create meaningful change.

Dr. Ben Fialkoff, a Cuban-born dentist from Queens, NY, has conducted over 2,000 drug education events reaching 100,000+ youth. He shares why "a drug is a poison," how marijuana affects brain development and surgical healing, and what actually works to prevent substance use in young people.

In this powerful episode, Marcel Gemme speaks with Lieutenant Mike Hotz of the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department about his journey from Army Infantry Sergeant to building Nashville's groundbreaking Overdose Response Unit. Lt. Hotz shares the harsh realities of Nashville's overdose crisis - once the second-highest in the nation - and how his team achieved a remarkable 34% reduction in deaths through innovative harm reduction strategies.

Learn about the One Box program, which has placed over 350 overdose reversal kits throughout Nashville and saved 14 confirmed lives. Lt. Hotz discusses the dangers of fentanyl-laced drugs, the importance of naloxone distribution, and why 42% of counterfeit pills crossing the border contain lethal doses. He provides practical overdose recognition and reversal training, addresses common misconceptions about addiction, and explains Tennessee's Good Samaritan laws.

This episode is essential listening for anyone concerned about the overdose crisis, from families affected by addiction to community leaders looking to implement life-saving programs in their own cities.