The "33": Methamphetamine: A Love Story

This is Part 1 of our interview with Candy Schwartz, whose father was tragically killed in an intersection collision with a semi-truck. The driver of the truck was impaired, under the influence of methamphetamine.Candy shares her powerful story of loss, her mission to honor her father’s memory, and how that experience inspired her to take action. Motivated by her grief and determination, she helped introduce House Bill 3304 in the state of Oklahoma, aiming to reform how and to whom commercial driver’s licenses are issued.She also continues to push for safety improvements at the very intersection where her father’s life was taken.

"Ray" was a 35-year-old recovering meth addict who had also been manufacturing and dealing the drug prior to meeting Dr. Shukla. He had lost everything to his addiction. In his interview he shared how his addiction began, when he first started using drugs, and how it eventually led him to cooking and selling meth while using it himself just to keep up with his habit. Ray also shared what frightened him the most and what ultimately pushed him toward the path of recovery. Dr. Shukla shares this and more from her interview she had with "Ray" in this episode.

At 24, Conner was deeply entrenched in the drug world—using, manufacturing, and dealing—making tens of thousands of dollars a day and even setting money aside to pay attorneys to stay out of jail.By 38, his life looked very different. Now in recovery, he sits down with Dr. Rashi Shukla to speak candidly about his addiction, the lifestyle that consumed him, and the long road back.This episode explores Conner’s life before drugs, the rise and cost of his addiction, and the hard-earned path he’s walking today toward recovery.

This episode is a wrap of Dr. Shukla's interview with "D" regarding his addiction, his home life and how he found a path to recovery.

This podcast features the story of a former addict--whom we call "D"-- whose substance use began with alcohol in his early life and escalated to illicit drugs, resulting in a full-blown addiction. He described a difficult childhood with alcoholic parents. His path to recovery began after being taken in by a group of bikers and tattoo artists, who provided him a supportive environment to heal and rebuild his life.

Part 2 continues Matthew’s story, detailing his battle with meth addiction and his inspiring journey toward recovery and his daily battle with sobriety.

Matthew began experimenting with alcohol and drugs at an early age, eventually choosing a path that led him to meth — using, dealing, and even cooking it. When Dr. Shukla interviewed him, he had been clean for five months but acknowledged that maintaining sobriety remains a daily challenge. Listen to Part 1 as Dr. Shukla shares her conversation she has with Matthew.

"Olivia," a 31-year-old mother, had spent years manufacturing and dealing methamphetamine. Her struggle with substance use began at the age of six, when she started inhaling gasoline fumes, eventually leading to long-term abuse of various drugs.Dr. Shukla shares her story of addiction and road to recovery.

Mike Fox was a former meth user and dealer--he now has a mission to help and save others from their addiction through his foundation. Part 2 of our interview with Mike Fox, Founder of the Fox Project Foundation.

Mike Fox was a dealer and user of meth, but he turned his life around and is now on a mission to help others. He shares his story of his meth abuse, incarceration and his goal to help others escape their addiction and get on the road to recovery through the assistance of his foundation.

Roman was a man in his 30s who had it all--family, children and a good paying job, but nearly lost it all due to his meth addiction and dealing.Dr. Shukla sat with "Roman" at a local breakfast establishment to discuss his past and his current recovery. In this episode, Dr.Shukla shares her interview she had with Roman.

Zach was a user, dealer and manufacturer. He was 36 years old on the road to recovery when he met Dr. Shukla with the aspirations to be a history professor but "wasted" a lot of years on using meth and experiencing violence.

Tyler was an "endangered child"-- a child who lives in a home in which a parent or caretaker is suffering from substance abuse--in this case it is meth. Tyler shares his childhood story on the physical abuse, mental health impact and his relationship with his mother who used meth when raising him and his two brothers.

"Jessica" is a 15 year user of meth and a single mother. She is 38-years old when Dr. Shukla interviewed her for her book, "Methamphetamine: A Love Story," and was only a month into her recovery. She moves from one boyfriend to another, starts dealing meth and eventually finds herself moving towards recovery after entering a "drug research study."

Mark Woodward of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Substances gives us the latest on the impact the cannabis industry has had on Oklahoma and the nation, and news related to fentanyl, meth and other illicit substances.

Max is 23-years old when he first spoke to Dr. Shukla. He has been involved in drug use at a young age, and later starting dealing and manufacturing. He eventually got on the road to recovery from his meth addiction through a stint in drug court.

This episode is part 2 of an interview with two Oklahoma City firefighters/paramedics. The episode covers mental health, narcan, pediatric suicides and encounters in the field with meth and fentanyl users.

This episode covers meth, heroin, fentanyl, meth labs and managing mental health from the perspective of two Oklahoma City firefighters/paramedics.

"Holly" held a college degree and was a mother of four but her life as a meth addict and dealer led her to a life of misery and despair before she found a way out through "drug court." Dr. Shukla and I also add some of the latest international news regarding meth busts and arrests to the podcast.

Dope whores, cartel and recovery are all discussed in this episode. Dr. Shukla discusses Brianna's life as a meth addict and her recovery. Brianna is one of the 33 recovering meth addicts she interviewed for her book, "Methamphetamine: A Love Story."

In"Rewind & Review," Dr. Shukla dives into a comprehensive look at the most memorable and impactful episodes from the past three years. We will hear from the law enforcement and medical professionals and their views on the impact of meth on our communities and families.

Part 2 of Dr. Shukla's interview with Federal Agent Rico Witt and the drug related issues plaguing Hawaii.

Dr. Shukla visited Hawaii and spoke with Hawaii Federal Agent Rico Witt about the history and the impact of meth on the island.

Part 2: From gun violence to gangs, LA authorities are over worked and overwhelmed by the the influx of crime that drug use brings to their community. Dr. Shukla shares the details from her interview with a Hollenbeck undercover detective and delves into the challenges that impede their job as a detective.

While visiting Hollenbeck Community Police division in Los Angeles, Dr. Shukla had an opportunity to interview an undercover detective. The conversation covers drug and meth addiction and the impact it has on the community, LA gang and cartel control of distribution, and the lack of legislation by community leaders.

Los Angeles' drug problems, gang violence and homelessness issues are heavily documented and well known. Dr. Shukla spent two days with the Hollenbeck Division of the LA police department and shared her experience driving down Skid Row and being on her first murder scene.

Guest, Travis Jones, Ph.D., discusses the difficulty of navigating the holidays for recovering addicts and provides advice as how to manage the holidays. Originally aired in 11/2021.

Allie was a 34-year old female who dealt drugs and a mother of one. She worked three "full-time" jobs and made anywhere from $500 to $1000 a day, but today has nothing to show for it. She was in recovery when she spoke with Dr. Rashi Shukla, author of the book, The 33: Methamphetamine: A Love Story." Credits: BenSound

"Sam" is a 44-year old male who started dealing drugs in high school to graduating in dealing meth later in life. "Sam" lost everything to meth but now is on the road to recovery. Dr. Shukla shares her interview she had with "Sam" in this episode of "The 33: Methamphetamine: A Love Story."

Our guest, Dr. John Duncan, is the inspiration for Dr. Shukla's book, "Methamphetamine: A Love Story. In this episode he discusses meth on the brain, the long term effects of meth and the struggles of passing legislation in Oklahoma to limit meth labs and access to pseudoephedrine.

We continue our conversation with Dr. Mark Baker, a Hawaii ER physician, about the health issues he sees with meth use in the ER and his fight to end meth in Hawaii.

Hawaii has a major meth problem. The U.S. Congress representatives described it as "The Poisoning of Paradise" in a 2010 report on the meth issue in Hawaii. Our guest, Dr. Mark Baker, a practicing ER Physician at Poli Momi Medical Center in Hawaii, sees the results of meth on a daily basis. This podcast is part 1 of a two part interview with Dr. Baker as he shares his experiences, opinion and his campaign in ridding Hawaii of meth. Visit is his website at: end meth.org

"Dillon" first experiences drugs at 13 with a "dancer," and later moves to using meth by the time he entered his 20s. He later learns how to cook meth while in jail and becomes an everyday cook and dealer when he goes back out to the world. In this episode, Dr. Rashi Shukla shares with us her interview with the then 37-year old "Dillon" over his abuse of meth and his road to recovery.

"Vince"--trucker #3 had a 30-year long love affair with meth as a dealer, user and cook. He's a "nice guy"-- a "farmer-type"-- who got caught up in the world of meth addiction. He eventually turned his life around and moved down a path of recovery after 30-years of meth use. Dr. Shukla shares her interview she had with "Vince" and his patterns of use and dealing meth.

Dr. Shukla shares "Patrick's" story in this episode. From cooking and trafficking meth in his 18-wheeler, to getting all his kids addicted to meth, Patrick, a 55-year old male, lived 30 years in this lifestyle before he and all his kids got on the road to recovery. 

Host, Dr. David Nelson and Author, Dr. Rashi Shukla discuss the success of Drug Courts in Oklahoma County and the fentanyl crisis with Honorable Judge Ken Stoner of Oklahoma.

In Episode 9, Dr. Shukla delves into the life of Bryant, a trucker, who is introduced to meth at 14 and later learns how to cook it in prison. Bryant is one of  three truckers Dr. Shukla interviewed for her book, "Methamphetamine: A Love Story." 

Dr. Shukla and Dr. Nelson interview Dr. Chris Hill, Sociology Professor, about the sociological component and theory related to why one has a substance abuse problem.

Part 2 of Jami's story about her son, Judson, and his death due to a meth addiction. Dr. Shukla expands on the lack of legislative help and her personal difficulties she faced in writing her book, "Methamphetamine: A Love Story" and its impact on her life. Jami wants to give back  and help others heal through grief yoga and recovery circles. She is in  the process of creating a Grief Relief Yoga series to help reduce the  suffering of people going through tough times, whether it be substance  use disorder, grief, trauma, depression, etc.  For more information, or to share your story with Jami, she can be reached a jamisfitforlife.com Warning: There is talk associated with substance abuse, suicide and suicide methods.

This is part one of a special two-part interview with Jami, a grieving California mother who lost her son, Judson, to a meth addiction. Jami shares her story about her beloved son's early life successes to his slow spiral to a world of addiction.  Jami wants to give back  and help others heal through grief yoga and recovery circles. She is in  the process of creating a Grief Relief Yoga series to help reduce the  suffering of people going through tough times, whether it be substance  use disorder, grief, trauma, depression, etc. For more information, or to share your story with Jami, she can be reached a jamisfitforlife.com Warning: The episode discusses suicide, a suicide method and substance abuse.

Dr. Shukla and Dr. Nelson discuss the latest news stories of a 3-year old who was "caged" by his meth addicted parents and the growth of meth around the nation and world. In addition, they will also discuss one of the "33" Dr. Shukla interviewed for her book, Methamphetamine: A Love Story." This episode focuses on Nicolas, a 27-year old recovering from his addiction to meth who "felt like a rock star" during his time using and cooking meth.

Dr. Shukla discusses the life of Vanessa, a recovering meth addict whose childhood was filled with great uncertainty, poverty and malnutrition, but lived to tell her story.

Dr. Shukla and I discuss "Zoom Meth Parties," the largest meth bust in San Diego, and the life of Mia. Mia is one of the 33 recovering meth addicts Shukla interviewed for her book," Methamphetamine: A Love Story." Mia was heavily involved in "financing" manufacturing of meth and selling it. She was 39-years old at the time of her interview and a mother to two children.

This episode covers the most recent busts that include the use of a fast food drive-thru and baby seats to distribute meth. Dr. Shukla also adds the latest innovative programs being developed in selected US states to deal with the drug problem in their communities. "Jackson" is the main person of discussion as Dr. Shukla carries us through his 20-year long addiction to meth and the difficulty of transitioning into a "normal" life.

Dr. Rashi Shukla discusses her interview with Ava, a 30-year old recovering meth addict and one of the rare female meth cooks in her study of meth recovery and addiction in Oklahoma.

In this episode, Dr. Rashi Shukla, author of the book, "Methamphetamine: A Love Story" and host, Dr. David Nelson discuss the latest seizures of major meth and fentanyl busts in Oklahoma and the rarely spoken phenomenon of "contaminated houses" that are cleaned of meth and sold back on the housing market. The podcast also includes a look at "Steven," one of the 33 recovering addicts Dr. Shukla interviewed for her research regarding the meth issue in Oklahoma.

Episode 10 looks into the life of Emme, a 25-year old mom with two kids and a recovering meth addict in Oklahoma. Emme is one of the "33" users, cooks and distributors that Dr. Rashi Shukla interviewed for her book, Methamphetamine: A Love Story."

Meth is still present in Oklahoma though it does not get the media headlines as much as in the past. Dr. Rashi Shukla and I have a conversation with Mark Woodward, PIO of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs. Topics include the status of the meth issue in Oklahoma, different methods of distribution and manufacturing of meth, and the international component related to meth usage.

Dr. Rashi Shukla discusses 47-year old Daphne, one of the 33 recovering meth users, cooks and/or dealers she interviewed for her book, "Methamphetamine: A Love Story."

Dr. Rashi Shukla discusses Felix, one of the 33 she interviewed for her book, " Methamphetamine: A Love Story." Felix was a meth user, cook and dealer. He is now in college and aspires to be an educator.