Fentanyl

Addiction, Documentaries

Cocaine & Fentanyl: Destroying Lives (Addicted: The Narco Plague)

Belgium, Cocaine, Colombia, Crime, Drug Trafficking, Fentanyl, Homelessness, Law Enforcement, Netherlands, Opioid Crisis, Overdose, Portugal, Poverty, Sweden, Tranquilizers, USA, Youth

CNA traverses the front lines of various countries to investigate the world of illicit substances in Addicted. This three-part documentary series offers a rare, unfiltered look at the global production, trafficking and consumption of traditional and synthetic drugs.

In this second episode, Destructive Cocaine and Fentanyl: Unraveling the Harrowing Impact on Lives, their investigation begins in Colombia’s Catatumbo region, where violent cartels fight for control of cocaine routes, displacing over 50,000 farmers. Next, in Belgium’s Antwerp Port — known for being the cocaine capital of Europe — they examine the difficulities that law enforcement face in reducing the flow of cocaine trafficking. They then travel to Sweden and the Netherlands, where gangs recruit children for brutal gang wars, shattering communities and ruining lives. Lastly, ending in Philadelphia, USA, the documentary looks at how open-air drug markets and synthetic opioids like fentanyl are driving a growing public health crisis.

Addiction, Documentaries

7 Days: The Opioid Crisis in Arkansas

Fentanyl, Frontline Workers, Heroin, Lost Loved Ones, Nalaxone, Opioid Crisis, Opioid Use Disorder, Personal Stories, Pharmaceuticals, Recovery, USA, Youth

Listen to the stories of people who have struggled with addiction, and discover the ongoing efforts across the state of Arkansas to address the challenges of opioid misuse and addiction. Their stories are raw, real, and deeply human—marked by loss,…

Addiction, Documentaries

Poison Pill: San Diego’s Battle Against Fentanyl

Buprenorphine, Drug Trafficking, Fentanyl, Frontline Workers, Law Enforcement, Lost Loved Ones, Medication-Assisted Treatment, Nalaxone, Naltrexone, Opioid Crisis, Opioid Use Disorder, Personal Stories, USA

NBC 7 undertook an in-depth investigation to move beyond the headlines and statistics, aiming to uncover how the fentanyl crisis emerged in San Diego County, the impact it continues to have on local communities, and the critical work still needed to address what has been labeled an epidemic.

Addiction, Documentaries

The Story Behind: Fentanyl (3 Part Series)

Canada, Fentanyl, Harm Reduction, Opioid Crisis, Opioid Use Disorder, Overdose, Personal Stories, Public Health

This three-part series, presented by RogersTV, delves into the opioid and fentanyl crisis and its widespread impact on communities across Ontario, Canada. The first video provides essential background, explaining what fentanyl is and how it has insidiously infiltrated neighborhoods. A local police officer emphasizes that “the misuse and abuse of fentanyl is a shared responsibility — it’s a public health issue that involves education, intervention, treatment, and enforcement.”

Addiction, Documentaries

Crisis Next Door: The Fentanyl Epidemic in North Carolina

Fentanyl, Harm Reduction, Law Enforcement, Lost Loved Ones, Opioid Crisis, Opioid Use Disorder, Pharmaceuticals, USA

Crisis Next Door reveals the devastating toll fentanyl has taken on the lives of thousands of North Carolinians, examining both the state's response to this growing epidemic and the urgent actions still needed to save lives. North Carolina is grappling with a severe drug overdose crisis, with fentanyl at the forefront as the leading cause of death. In 2021, the state recorded over 4,000 drug overdose fatalities, the highest number of substance abuse-related deaths in its history. According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), fentanyl was involved in 77% of those deaths.

Addiction, Documentaries

Killer High: The Silent Crisis (Fentanyl)

Fentanyl, Frontline Workers, Law Enforcement, Lost Loved Ones, Nalaxone, Non-Profits, Opioid Crisis, Opioid Use Disorder, Overdose, Personal Stories, USA, Youth

This powerful documentary explores the impact that fentanyl is having on the United States, particularly on youth living in Fresno, California. You’ll learn about the opioid crisis through the eyes of the families impacted by it, the law enforcement officers who are desperately trying to get it off the streets, and the medical professionals who witness countless opioid-related overdoses and deaths.

Addiction, Documentaries

Stigmatic: Our Opioid Crisis (Stigma & Addiction)

Decriminalization, Fentanyl, Harm Reduction, Opioid Crisis, Opioid Use Disorder, Personal Stories, Pharmaceuticals, Recovery, Stigma, USA

This documentary delves into the origins and far-reaching impact of the opioid crisis. Featuring interviews with individuals affected by opiate addiction — including law enforcement, healthcare professionals, and those in recovery — the film offers an unvarnished look at the differing opinions within the activist community on contentious approaches to addressing the epidemic. Through these honest conversations, it becomes clear that one pervasive challenge lies at the core of the crisis: stigma.

News / TV Specials, Addiction

One Pill: Fighting Fentanyl Investigation

Drug Trafficking, Fentanyl, Law Enforcement, Lost Loved Ones, Non-Profits, Opioid Crisis, Opioid Use Disorder, Overdose, Personal Stories, USA, Youth

The fentanyl crisis is killing more Texans than ever before. Victims are getting younger and most people don’t even know they’re taking it. It’s extremely easy to overdose on fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, and people are losing their loved ones. They want you to hear their stories so that they can hopefully help save a life and prevent others from going through what they went through. Some of them have formed non-profit organizations to spread the message. You’ll also learn more about drug trafficking and how law enforcement is attempting to combat the overdose crisis.

Addiction, Documentaries

Contaminated: The Fentanyl Crisis in St. Louis

Buprenorphine, Fentanyl, Harm Reduction, Medication-Assisted Treatment, Methadone, Nalaxone, Naltrexone, Opioid Crisis, Opioid Use Disorder, Overdose, Personal Stories, Public Health, USA

Fentanyl has become the leading drug fueling the overdose epidemic in St. Louis. Odorless and tasteless, even a small amount can be fatal, and it has permeated every aspect of society — from the cities to the suburbs, affecting people across all demographics, regardless of wealth, race, or background. Many individuals who fall victim to its grip are unaware they’re even consuming it, contributing to a rapid escalation of addiction in the region. Today, fentanyl is involved in over 70% of overdose deaths in St. Louis. After months of investigation, this story is told through the voices of recovering addicts, advocates for change, and those left to cope with the aftermath.

News / TV Specials, Addiction

The Overdose Crisis: One Life Too Many

Fentanyl, Frontline Workers, Lost Loved Ones, Opioid Crisis, Opioid Use Disorder, Overdose, Personal Stories, USA, Youth

In this brief news report, frontline workers discuss their personal and professional experiences with addiction and what it has been like to respond to an overdose during the opioid crisis. They talk about their loved one’s addiction and how this impacted their ability to help others. However, they also talk about the importance of recognizing compassion fatigue.