Robyn Oster on Kratom’s Emergence and Public Health Concerns

Robyn Oster on Kratom’s Emergence and Public Health Concerns

Robyn Oster, Director of Policy at The Partnership to End Addiction, returned to The Kingfisher Project to discuss the rise of kratom and why public health experts are paying closer attention to it. Kratom is derived from a Southeast Asian plant and is now commonly sold in powders, capsules, tablets, gummies and liquid shots. Oster said the products are often found in gas stations, convenience stores and smoke shops, where they are marketed as dietary supplements or wellness products. But Oster warned that kratom contains psychoactive compounds that bind to opioid receptors in the brain, creating effects similar to opioids and carrying the potential for addiction. She said around two million Americans reported using kratom in 2024. The conversation centered on a recent piece Oster co-authored, “The Rise of Kratom: A Dangerous and Familiar Pattern.” She said kratom is following a pattern seen before with opioids and newer hemp-derived THC products: aggressive marketing, industry resistance to regulation, products framed as natural or harmless, and a delayed government response. Oster said policymakers do not need to start from scratch. Lessons from alcohol, tobacco, cannabis and opioids can help shape rules around kratom, including restrictions on marketing, packaging, where products can be sold and what they can contain. The larger message: act now, before kratom becomes a bigger public health crisis.

Bill Williams Discusses “The Brief History of Time” Event on Radio Chatskill

Bill Williams Discusses “The Brief History of Time” Event on Radio Chatskill

Alexis Pleus on Truth Pharm, Purdue Pharma and the Fight for Opioid Accountability

On this episode of The Kingfisher Project, host Bill Williams speaks with Alexis Pleus, founder of Truth Pharm, a Binghamton-based organization working to reduce stigma, raise awareness, and advocate for change around substance use and overdose prevention. Pleus shares the story of losing her son Jeff to a heroin overdose, the founding of Truth Pharm, and the organization’s work with directly impacted families. She also discusses the recent Purdue Pharma sentencing hearing in Newark, New Jersey, where families delivered powerful victim impact statements, and explains why many advocates believe accountability for the opioid crisis remains unfinished. The conversation also looks at New York’s opioid settlement funds, concerns over how that money is being distributed, and Pleus’ call for more support for grassroots and community-based organizations doing direct harm reduction work.

Steven D’Agata and Cathy Kennedy on Hope Not Handcuffs in the Hudson Valley

Steven D’Agata and Cathy Kennedy on Hope Not Handcuffs in the Hudson Valley

Mark Ehrenkranz on Addiction Recovery: How Peer Recovery Specialists Help Patients Heal

Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Mark Ehrenkranz joins us for a conversation about addiction recovery, peer support, and the power of lived experience in helping people heal. Sober since 1985, Ehrenkranz has spent decades supporting individuals struggling with substance and alcohol use disorders. Today, he works alongside doctors and addiction specialists in hospital settings, helping patients navigate the emotional and human realities of recovery in emergency rooms, ICUs, detox units, and treatment programs. Before entering the recovery field, Ehrenkranz had a more than 40-year career in the entertainment industry. He created The NY Film Critics National Series®, hosted by ABC and Rolling Stone critic Peter Travers, and 800-VIDEO-411®, a national service used across the home entertainment industry. He has also worked as a screenwriter and producer. In this conversation, Mark Ehrenkranz reflects on what it means to be a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, how lived experience can help build trust with patients, and why recovery looks different for everyone. He also talks about the importance of reducing stigma around addiction and how storytelling can play a powerful role in healing. This episode is part of The Kingfisher Project, a storytelling initiative focused on recovery, resilience, and the human stories behind healing. Through honest conversations and personal narratives, the project aims to reduce stigma around addiction and highlight the many pathways to recovery. By sharing real experiences and creating space for open dialogue, The Kingfisher Project connects people who may be struggling with those who have walked a similar path and found hope on the other side. Join us as we explore stories of recovery, connection, and second chances. 00:00 Meet Mark Krantz 00:45 What Peer Recovery Means 02:53 Radical Honesty Approach 04:24 Resource Guide and Acronyms 07:40 Getting Certified CPRS 12:12 Training Gaps and New Drugs 15:14 Hospital Work and Funding 19:08 ER Workflow and Privacy 27:38 Mark Story Begins 30:43 Hollywood Drugs and Downfall 33:49 AA in Florida 34:32 Tramadol relapse spiral 35:35 Harm reduction myth 36:04 Cannabis crash and ward 37:44 Weed addiction is real 39:17 Potency and profit 40:22 Fentanyl and xylazine 43:32 Test strips and safety 44:40 Inside the book 49:17 Youth and brain development 52:01 William White research 54:59 Media and resources 57:27 Where to buy 58:48 Navy Seal recovery 01:00:19 Final thanks and signoff