When President Trump signed an executive order classifying fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction, some who have lost loved ones to the powerful synthetic opioid applauded the decision. But a drug historian argues The White House is making serious mistakes in its approach to the crisis.
In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, historian Dr. David Herzberg looks back at earlier substance crises in the United States and discusses what went wrong, what went right, and what lessons those experiences might hold today. He explores how history can inform today’s policies, the unintended consequences of past approaches, and why understanding the bigger picture is crucial for tackling the opioid epidemic. By examining decades of drug trends and responses, Herzberg offers a perspective that goes beyond politics, helping listeners think critically about how America can respond more effectively to fentanyl and other substance crises.
Explore David’s website and books here.
Dr. Herzberg says research shows that roughly 75% of people who use even the most addictive drugs like heroin and cocaine do not develop an addiction. This means addiction risk is shaped less by the drug itself and more by a person’s circumstances, environment, and biology. That is why prevention, early intervention, and access to treatment matter so much.
1. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) / Addiction Center (sourced from national survey data): “Approximately 25% of people who use illicit drugs develop an addiction.” — AddictionCenter.com, sourced from national substance use data
2. Peer-reviewed academic literature: Schlag, A.K. (2020). “Percentages of problem drug use and their implications for policy making: A review of the literature.” International Journal of Drug Policy. Key finding: “The majority of drug use is episodic, transient and generally non-problematic.”
If you enjoyed this episode, check out the following:
- How Do We End the Fentanyl Epidemic? A Candid Conversation with a Former DEA Chief
- Can We Save Lives While Cutting Funding? A Tough Conversation at the Top
- He Saw a Gap in Addiction Treatment and Decided to Do Something About It
MEET THE GUEST
David Herzberg
David Herzberg is a Professor of History and Director of the Drugs, Health, and Society program at the University at Buffalo (SUNY). He is a leading historian of drug commerce and policy, with a research focus on the trajectory of psychoactive pharmaceuticals and their role in the American addiction crisis. He has authored several acclaimed books on the subject, including White Market Drugs and Whiteout, and his work has been featured in the New York Times and the American Journal of Public Health.
