Unregulated Markets & Broken Systems: The State of Drug Policy

Unregulated Markets & Broken Systems: The State of Drug Policy

In this episode of Recovery-ish, Chad and Robert sit down with Tracey Helton for a wide-ranging and unfiltered conversation about the current state of drug policy, harm reduction, and recovery in the U.S. Together, we unpack how recent legislative changes are reshaping access to care, often creating unintended consequences for the very people they aim to help. Tracey brings sharp insight into the systemic failures baked into drug policy, and why history continues to repeat itself when it comes to prohibition, stigma, and public health. We explore the growing tension between evidence-based treatment and political narratives, including the backlash against harm reduction strategies like medication-assisted treatment and overdose prevention efforts. As Tracey puts it, “Medication works and people thrive on it”—yet access remains uneven and often politicized. The conversation also highlights the power of community-led solutions and mutual aid networks, which continue to fill critical gaps left by formal systems. From grassroots organizing to local harm reduction initiatives, these efforts demonstrate real resilience in the face of policy shortcomings. We also dive into: * The risks of unregulated drug markets and shifting supply trends * The expansion of involuntary treatment and its ethical implications * Gender, racial, and social disparities in recovery and policy enforcement * The role of psychedelics in future treatment models * The complicated relationship between politics, public perception, and drug use Ultimately, this episode challenges listeners to rethink what recovery looks like in today’s landscape—and who actually gets to access it.

Advocacy and Activism: The Heart of Interconnected Community

In this episode of Recovery-ish, Chad and Robert are joined by longtime advocate and organizer Haner Hernandez for a sharp, unfiltered conversation about why “staying neutral” is no longer a viable stance in the recovery movement. Together, they interrogate the current policy landscape, break down the real-world impact of recent political shifts, and remind listeners that advocacy without historical context is just noise. From the war on drugs to today’s culture wars, they trace how race, class, and power continue to shape who is protected, who is criminalized, and who gets left behind. The discussion doesn’t romanticize activism. Instead, it calls out the savior complex that too often creeps into advocacy spaces and challenges the field to move beyond performative allyship. Drawing lessons from the HIV/AIDS movement, Haner underscores the power of organized communities, disciplined messaging, and data that can actually be trusted. The trio explores how incremental change and long-haul strategy often win more ground than outrage alone—and how easily movements can be co-opted when leadership loses touch with the people most impacted. With their trademark candor and irreverence, the hosts dig into the messy intersection of harm reduction, social justice, and recovery—lifting up the need for unity without erasing difference, and empathy without abandoning accountability. This episode is a reminder that recovery doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It’s shaped by policy, fueled by community, and sustained by people willing to speak up, organize smart, and refuse to mistake silence for safety.

WMDs in Your Yuletide Stocking: Recovery-ish Holiday Special

Happy holidays everyone! In this holiday special episode of Recovery-ish, hosts Chad Sabora and Robert Ashford discuss the implications of recent policies regarding fentanyl, cannabis, and public health. They explore the intersection of drug policy and public health, emphasizing the need for evidence-based approaches and harm reduction strategies. The conversation also touches on the importance of supporting the peer workforce and the ongoing challenges within housing policy. The hosts share their holiday wish list for policy changes, advocating for a more compassionate and effective approach to drug use and recovery.

Liberation, Power, and the Long Con of Drug Policy

In this episode of Recovery-ish, Chad Sabora and Robert Ashford sit down for a no-bullshit breakdown of how we got here—decades of drug profiteering, racialized policy, and the generational trauma that still haunts our communities. With special guest, Monique Tula, they trace the evolution of harm reduction from underground survival strategy to public-health backbone, and they call out the language games and political theater that continue to shape who gets help and who gets punished. The conversation digs into the messy realities of recovery and advocacy: burnout that nobody wants to admit, leadership that spans generations, and a workforce expected to save lives on goodwill instead of living wages. Together, they unpack how mutual aid keeps people alive when systems fail, why transparency and structural integrity matter more than passion alone, and what it takes to celebrate wins without ignoring the inequities baked into every level of drug policy. With their trademark irreverence and honesty, the hosts and special guest highlight the power of relationships, compassion, and community to transform conditions—and why building an equitable future requires more than reform. It demands courage, accountability, and a refusal to stay quiet.

You Can’t Force Recovery: Activism in the Idiocracy Era

In this episode of Recovery-ish, hosts Chad Sabora and Robert Ashford sit down with longtime advocate and past fed, Tom Hill, for a raw, unfiltered look at the intersections of recovery, drug policy, and activism. Together, they unpack why forced treatment fails, how harm reduction has shaped progress, and the fragile nature of funding and political support for peer services. The conversation dives deep into lessons from past social movements like the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the role of anger and civil disobedience in pushing change, and the urgent need for inclusive advocacy that centers LGBTQ+ voices and diverse communities. With honesty and conviction, the hosts and guest highlight why community engagement, explicit advocacy, and better treatment options remain critical to saving lives and shaping the future of recovery.