Meth, Fentanyl, and the Power of Hard Work Without Fanfare

About this episode

Sam Quinones discusses America's drug crisis and the unexpected role of marching band in combating addiction.

More than 100,000 Americans die of drug overdose every year. The solution—or at least part of it—might be dorky as hell. Sam Quinones spent 12 years reporting on America’s drug crisis and how — heroin, fentanyl, meth have reshaped the country. In this episode, l he unpacks how Mexican cartels replaced poppy fields with chemicals, lowered the price of meth by 90%, and unintentionally created a schizophrenia crisis. Since then, Sam has been on a mission to find the antidote to modern day addiction. And he found it in an unlikely source: the tuba. yes, the musical instrument. Sam explains why marching band may very well be the best anti-drug program in America and how we can help our children avoid a life of addiction and suffering. Even if you have no interest in playing the tuba, the lessons from marching band can help anyone build a better life. This episode is about the value of hard work without fanfare, the power of community, and how to find hope in a broken world. Sam is the author of Dreamland, The Least of Us, and his new book The Perfect Tuba: Forging Fulfillment from the Bass Horn, Band, and Hard Work. Two Percent is hosted by Michael Easter…

People in this episode

Host: Michael Easter

Guest: Sam Quinones

Topics covered

• drug crisis
• addiction
• community
• hard work
• hope
• marching band

Keywords

• drug overdose
• fentanyl
• meth
• addiction
• marching band
• community
• hard work
• hope

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Kaleidoscope, iHeart

Books & works: Dreamland, The Least of Us, The Perfect Tuba: Forging Fulfillment from the Bass Horn, Band, and Hard Work

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