Opioid Crisis

The first wave of the opioid crisis started in the 1990s with doctors over-prescribing opioids to countless patients in an effort to minimize their pain symptoms. People then became addicted and needed a cheaper, more accessible option that could provide a greater high – heroin, a semi-synthetic opioid. By 2013, synthetic opioids like fentanyl were being used because it costs significantly less and provides a high 50x greater than heroin. However, it is extremely dangerous to use and continues to contribute to alarmingly high rates of overdose deaths today.

Crisis Next Door Fentanyl Epidemic in North Carolina

Crisis Next Door: The Fentanyl Epidemic

"Crisis Next Door shows how fentanyl has destroyed the lives of thousands of North Carolinians, what the state is doing to fight this epidemic and what more is needed to save lives. North Carolina is in the grip of a drug overdose epidemic, with fentanyl being the primary culprit. More than 4,000 people in North Carolina died from drug overdoses in 2021, the most substance abuse related deaths ever recorded in the state. According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), 77% of those deaths involved fentanyl."
Addiction PBS - The Science Behind Addiction, Dopamine, The Reward Pathway, and Opioids

Addiction: The Science Behind

This incredibly informative documentary from NOVA PBS discusses opioid addiction, highlighting that addiction is not a moral failing, but rather, a treatable chronic medical condition. It provides a general overview of the science behind addiction, detailing how dopamine, the reward pathway, and other brain regions change as a result of substance abuse, and how these changes result in drug-seeking behaviours and withdrawal. While there are several personal stories from those affected by addiction, the primary focus of this documentary is to provide education on the science behind addiction and the importance of evidence-based treatments.
Screenshot from Killer High: The Silent Crisis about opioid, fentanyl, overdose

Killer High: The Silent Crisis (Fentanyl)

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.
Screenshot from Stigmatic: Our Opioid Crisis ; decriminalization, stigma

Stigmatic: Our Opioid Crisis (Stigma & Drug Use)

This documentary explores the origins of the opioid crisis to its current state today. Those who are impacted by opiates are interviewed, including law enforcement, medical professionals, and people in recovery. "Their frank discussions highlight disagreements inside the activist community over controversial new strategies to combat the opiate epidemic. Each diverse perspective points to an undeniable obstacle at the center of the crisis: stigma."
Screenshot from One Pill: Fighting Fentanyl; the fentanyl crisis, opioid, overdose

One Pill: Fighting the Fentanyl Crisis in Texas

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.
Screenshot from Contaminated: The Fentanyl Crisis in St. Louis; harm reduction, opioid crisis, overdose epidemic

Contaminated: The Fentanyl Crisis in St. Louis

"Fentanyl is the defining drug of the overdose epidemic in St. Louis. It has no taste or smell, even a handful of it could kill thousands of people. It reaches into every corner of society, suburbs and cities, rich and poor, black and white. Many who become addicted have no idea they're even taking it and it's caused drug addiction in the region to spiral out of control. More than 70% of overdose deaths in the St. Louis area now involve fentanyl. We spent months looking into the local crisis. This story is told by recovering addicts, those fighting for change, and those left behind."
Screenshot from One Life Too Many: The Toll of the Overdose Crisis. A news report about the opioid crisis

One Life Too Many: The Toll of the Overdose Crisis

In this brief news report, paramedics and frontline workers in St. Louis discuss their personal and professional experiences with addiction and the significantly high number of overdoses occurring due to 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.
Screenshot from Keloland News Special Report: Opioid Crisis; addiction and recovery

KELOLAND News Special Report: Opioid Crisis

"Over the next hour, we'll share the stories of people overcome by this dangerous addiction, and we'll show you the grief families are going through. We're also taking a look at the local efforts (by doctors and law enforcement) to get ahead of the opioid crisis, and we're looking at local and national resources. We'll let you know what's available, how you can help, and what our community needs."
Screenshot from The Fix: Examining Rhode Island Opioid Epidemic; the opioid crisis, addiction, and recovery

The Fix: Examining Rhode Island’s Opioid Epidemic

This documentary covers the opioid crisis in Rhode Island specifically, but the messages within it are important for all communities. While there are some personal stories from people who use drugs, the main focus is on listening to the opinions of frontline workers who see the societal impacts of addiction on a day to day basis.