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Special Edition I-2024

PUBLIUS

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Joseph Patrick "JP" Drier IV

This Special Edition of Publius is dedicated to Joseph Patrick “JP” Drier IV. JP was a student in the inaugural cohort of the Smith Scholars Program and graduated from Xavier University with honors in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and a minor in Political Economy. Following his graduation from XU, JP was a Financial Advisor at UBS Financial in Charlotte, North Carolina.

 

JP passed away on July 17th, 2023, at his home in Charlotte due to complications from Type 1 Diabetes. JP had a passion for sports, especially golf, and for all New England teams, particularly the Boston Celtics. He was a fantastic friend who cared deeply about his childhood, high school, and college companions. All who knew JP miss him dearly.

America’s Opioid Crisis: Introduction

Smith Research Fellows Staff

Over the last two decades, America’s opioid crisis has created grave social and economic problems that threaten the country. As examined in this article, it began with prescription opioids (first wave) in the 2000s, followed by heroin around 2015 (second wave), then fentanyl and super meth starting around 2020 (third wave), and now fentanyl-laced meth, heroin, and other opioids (fourth wave). Today, fentanyl and super meth are inexpensive to produce, easy to make, hide, and smuggle, and so highly addictive they create a captive market.

America's Opioid Crisis:
Part I - The Four Waves

Smith Research Fellows Staff

Over the last two decades, America’s opioid crisis has created grave social and economic problems that threaten the country. As examined in this article, it began with prescription opioids (first wave) in the 2000s, followed by heroin around 2015 (second wave), then fentanyl and super meth starting around 2020 (third wave), and now fentanyl-laced meth, heroin, and other opioids (fourth wave). Today, fentanyl and super meth are inexpensive to produce, easy to make, hide, and smuggle, and so highly addictive they create a captive market.

America's Opioid Crisis:
Part II - Smuggling, Gangs, Weapon Trafficking, Money Laundering, and Enforcement

Smith Research Fellows Staff

Over the last two decades, America’s opioid crisis has created grave social and economic problems that threaten the country. As examined in this article, it began with prescription opioids (first wave) in the 2000s, followed by heroin around 2015 (second wave), then fentanyl and super meth starting around 2020 (third wave), and now fentanyl-laced meth, heroin, and other opioids (fourth wave). Today, fentanyl and super meth are inexpensive to produce, easy to make, hide, and smuggle, and so highly addictive they create a captive market.

America's Opioid Crisis:
Part III - The Human Cost

Smith Research Fellows Staff

Over the last two decades, America’s opioid crisis has created grave social and economic problems that threaten the country. As examined in this article, it began with prescription opioids (first wave) in the 2000s, followed by heroin around 2015 (second wave), then fentanyl and super meth starting around 2020 (third wave), and now fentanyl-laced meth, heroin, and other opioids (fourth wave). Today, fentanyl and super meth are inexpensive to produce, easy to make, hide, and smuggle, and so highly addictive they create a captive market.

America's Opioid Crisis:
Part IV - Conclusions: Looking for Solutions

Smith Research Fellows Staff

Over the last two decades, America’s opioid crisis has created grave social and economic problems that threaten the country. As examined in this article, it began with prescription opioids (first wave) in the 2000s, followed by heroin around 2015 (second wave), then fentanyl and super meth starting around 2020 (third wave), and now fentanyl-laced meth, heroin, and other opioids (fourth wave). Today, fentanyl and super meth are inexpensive to produce, easy to make, hide, and smuggle, and so highly addictive they create a captive market.

Domestic

Cincinnati’s Fentanyl Crisis: An In-Depth Interview with Dr. Sammarco, Hamilton County Coroner

Smith Research Fellows Staff

In February 2024, the Smith Research Fellows (SRF) interviewed Dr. Sammarco on the scope of the fentanyl crisis in Cincinnati. She also shared with us her experiences as Hamilton County Coroner and her work with the Hamilton County Heroin Task Force.

Global

George Soros: The Man Who Finances the World

Jason Huffman and John Fritz

George Soros, 92, is a Hungarian-American hedge fund manager who has become synonymous with progressive American politics. With a net worth of over $8 billion, Soros often donates to political institutions and pursuits that further his view of an ‘Open Society.’ His philanthropic work has ranged from defending the liberation of Sarajevo in 1992 to the funding of American Super PACS. Soros is a figure of mass wealth and political philanthropy but, today, finds himself in the middle of an ongoing destruction of the American criminal justice system.

Arts

Antoni Gaudí: Faith in Modernism

Jason Huffman

From humble beginnings to international renown, Antoni Gaudí has remained one of the most influential and fascinating architects of all time.

Commentary and Thoughts

Dialogue, Liberal Education, and the Conflict in Israel

Steven Frankel, Timothy Sean Quinn, and Rabbi Haim Rechnitzer

As the directors of Xavier’s annual program in the Holy Land, we have taken dozens of students to Israel each December over the past ten years. Sadly, we were forced to postpone our trip after the attack by Hamas on October 7 and the ensuing war. As educators and as students, we must learn to live with complexity and resist the urge to simplify moral, political, and intellectual problems.

Commentary and Thoughts

Hayek on the Law

Seth Workman

Friedrich Hayek, a towering figure in 20th-century economic and political thought, remains a foundational figure in the realms of classical liberalism and free-market economics. His life, marked by intellectual rigor and a commitment to individual liberty, greatly influenced economic theory and policy.

Did You Know?

Did You Know Collection: October 2024

Smith Research Fellows Staff

The Smith Center Research Fellows have compiled a collection of recent news stories from around the globe that are important and/or interesting for readers to know.

Book Excerpts

Book Excerpt Collection: October 2024

Smith Research Fellows Staff

The Smith Center Research Fellows have compiled a collection of fascinating excerpts from some of our favorite books, pamphlets, poems, and written publications. We have also compiled a list of inspirational, thought-provoking, and meaningful quotations.

Quotes

Quote Collection: October 2024

Smith Research Fellows Staff

The Smith Center Research Fellows have compiled a list of inspirational, thought-provoking, and meaningful quotations.

2024 All Articles

Smith Research Fellows Staff

America’s Opioid Crisis: Introduction

Smith Research Fellows Staff

America's Opioid Crisis:
Part I - The Four Waves

Smith Research Fellows Staff

America's Opioid Crisis:
Part II - Smuggling, Gangs, Weapon Trafficking, Money Laundering, and Enforcement

Smith Research Fellows Staff

America's Opioid Crisis:
Part III - The Human Cost

Smith Research Fellows Staff

America's Opioid Crisis:
Part IV - Conclusions: Looking for Solutions

Smith Research Fellows Staff

Cincinnati’s Fentanyl Crisis: An In-Depth Interview with Dr. Sammarco, Hamilton County Coroner

Jason Huffman and John Fritz

George Soros: The Man Who Finances the World

Jason Huffman

Antoni Gaudí: Faith in Modernism

Steven Frankel, Timothy Sean Quinn, and Rabbi Haim Rechnitzer

Dialogue, Liberal Education, and the Conflict in Israel

Seth Workman

Hayek on the Law

Smith Research Fellows Staff

Did You Know Collection: October 2024

Smith Research Fellows Staff

Book Excerpt Collection: October 2024

Smith Research Fellows Staff

Quote Collection: October 2024

Meet The Team

Publius: The Xavier University Smith Scholars’ Magazine

Publius is a periodic magazine produced and edited by Xavier University's Smith Center Research Fellows and Smith Scholars. It examines contemporary issues in politics, economics, finance, and law from both global and domestic perspectives.

  • Production Editor: John Fritz

  • Development Editor: Jason Huffman

  • Faculty Advisor and Executive Editor: Stafford Johnson, PhD

  • Smith Fellow Writers and Contributors: Mallory Bowling, Emily Branca, Madison Clore, Abbie Edwards, John Fritz, Andy Hamer, Patrick Hemmig, Jason Huffman, Declan LeWarn, Jack Micucci, Lucius Overby, Luke Uhlman, Kennedy Weigel, Seth Workman

  • Other Contributors: Stafford Johnson, PhD, Steve Frankel, PhD, Timothy Quinn, PhD, Rabbi Haim Rechnitzer

  • ​Production and Web Development Editors: John Fritz and Juan David Patino

©2025 by Stephen S. Smith Center - Xavier University

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