Episode 20: Understanding the Fentanyl Epidemic Among Teens with Jennifer Epstein, Director of Education and Outreach at Song For Charlie

About This Episode

Join our hosts Dr. Neha Chaudhary and her co-host Hazuri Dhillon in this episode as they interview Jennifer Epstein, Director of Education and Outreach at Song For Charlie.

Song for Charlie is a national family-run nonprofit charity dedicated to raising awareness about ‘fentapills’ — fake pills made of fentanyl and other synthetic drugs. As part of their outreach, they work with experts, educators, parents, and other partners, like BeMe, to reach the most vulnerable group: young people between the ages of 13-24.

In this episode, we will learn more about the epidemic of fentanyl, how it’s impacting teens, Jennifer’s personal connection to the impact of fentanyl on families, and the dangers of self-medication and casual drug use in the fentanyl era. To increase awareness about the dangers of counterfeit or fentanyl-laced pills, BeMe Health has partnered with Song For Charlie for National Fentanyl Awareness Day.

About Our Guest

Jennifer Epstein joined Song for Charlie after losing her 18-year-old son Cal to a fake pill in December 2020. Jennifer worked with Beaverton School District to develop their Fake & Fatal campaign, the first known fake pill awareness campaign by a school district in the country.

Jennifer is now SFC’s Director of Outreach and Education, responsible for developing resources to help spread awareness and reach out to organizations that work with kids. Jennifer brings 20 years of Fortune 100 and start-up operations experience and over 12 years of working with schools and youth.

About BeMe

BeMe is a mobile mental health platform — made for and With Teens In Mind™ — to improve teen well-being by bringing together the best aspects of social, gaming, streaming engagement, human coaching, and clinical care.

Our Host

Dr. Neha Chaudhary, Chief Medical Officer, BeMe Health

Hazuri Dhillon, Co-host

Producer

Derek E. Baird, Chief Youth Officer, BeMe Health

Date of Recording

April 28, 2023

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