Season 1 · Episode 9 — May 9, 2022
Counterfeit Drugs — An American Nightmare
with Dr. Ruby Javed (LA County Medical Examiner-Coroner)
A life-saving conversation about counterfeit drugs with the Chief Forensic Toxicologist at the LA County Medical Examiner-Coroner. Essential listening for parents and anyone who cares about drug safety.
Listen on Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Amazon Music
About This Episode
This is what feels like the most important episode of Learning to Say Goodbye to date.
While my previous and future episodes are meant to open a discussion around the end of life — a reality we will all face sooner or later — THIS episode actually has the potential to save lives.
So if you are listening to this today and happen to work in marketing, PR, for a newspaper, radio, or in a school or university and would like to help get this message out, please get in touch with me at podcast@learningtosaygoodbye.com.
Today I am sitting down with Dr. Ruby Javed, who is the Chief Forensic Toxicologist at the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner. Dr. Ruby has a stellar career with over 17 years of experience in drug-related science in both the private and public sectors.
Not only is she a powerhouse at a job that most people would find hard to stomach, but she lives with an incredible passion and zest for life. We are both mothers, and in that capacity, today’s subject is very close to our hearts.
About the Guest
Dr. Ruby Javed, Ph.D.
Dr. Ruby Javed is the Chief of the Forensic Sciences Laboratories Division at the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner. She has over 17 years of experience in drug-related science in both the private and public sectors. She has served as an analyst at National Medical Services Labs; the Chief Forensic Toxicologist/Lab Manager II at the State of Delaware Office of Medical Examiner-Coroner; Senior Scientist at Psychemedics Corporation; and currently the Chief of the Forensic Sciences Laboratories Division at the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner. Dr. Ruby has also served as a private Forensic Toxicology consultant and expert for detailed opinion reports and testimony.
Resources & Links
Song for Charlie
A family-run nonprofit charity dedicated to raising awareness about “fentapills” — fake pills made of fentanyl. After the sudden loss of their son Charlie, Ed and Mary Ternan created Song for Charlie with one goal: to bring awareness to counterfeit prescription pills being sold online targeting young people.
songforcharlie.org→National Fentanyl Awareness Day
May 10. Raising public awareness about the growing fentanyl public health crisis.
fentanylawarenessday.org→CDC — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Information on fentanyl. Pharmaceutical fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, approved for treating severe pain, typically advanced cancer pain. It is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine.
cdc.gov→DEA — One Pill Can Kill
Criminal drug networks are mass-producing fake pills and falsely marketing them as legitimate prescription pills. Counterfeit pills are easy to purchase, widely available, often contain fentanyl or methamphetamine, and can be deadly.
dea.gov/onepill→Stay Connected
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Honest reflections on grief, end-of-life care, and the writing life – usually once or twice a month. A conversation between friends about the hard, beautiful things we don't talk about enough.
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