April 25, 2025

7 Days: The Opioid Crisis in Arkansas

Listen to the stories of Arkansans who have struggled with addiction and learn about the ongoing efforts across the state to tackle the challenges of opioid misuse and addiction. This intimate documentary delves into the harsh realities of drug use in The Natural State, highlighting not only the devastating, lasting effects on those who become addicted but also the profound impact on their families, friends, and communities.
April 25, 2025

Crisis Next Door: The Fentanyl Epidemic in North Carolina

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.
April 25, 2025

Stigmatic: Our Opioid Crisis (Stigma & Addiction)

Stigmatic: Our Opioid Crisis is a documentary that 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.
April 25, 2025

KELOLAND News Special Report: Opioid Crisis

This news report will share stories of individuals overwhelmed by addiction, shedding light on the deep grief families are enduring. It will also examine local efforts by doctors and law enforcement to address the opioid crisis, as well as the resources available at both the local and national levels. Viewers will learn about the support systems in place, how they can contribute to the fight, and the critical needs of the community in tackling this ongoing crisis.
April 25, 2025

Chasing the Dragon: The Life of An Opiate Addict

The FBI and DEA released this documentary in an effort to combat the growing epidemic of prescription opiate and heroin abuse with the hope that it will help educate students and young adults about the dangers of addiction. You’ll hear in-depth stories from several people, some who are in recovery from an opioid addiction and others who have lost a loved one to it. This documentary focuses heavily on the harsh realities behind not only addiction itself, but specifically with the transition from prescription medications to heroin.
April 24, 2025

Painkiller: Inside the Opioid Crisis in Canada

Nominated for Canadian Screen Award, this documentary covers the opioid crisis in Canada. “It features interviews with families who have lost loved ones, as well as healthcare workers and policy experts who question a health system that favors corporate profits over patients.” For example, they talk about the overprescribing of prescription medications, and how little to no punishments have been handed out. This documentary also advocates for harm reduction as a crucial way to combat this crisis.
April 24, 2025

State of Addiction: What Families Need to Know About Opioids

This news special by NBC 6 South Florida discusses the opioid crisis with several individuals, including Mark Wahlberg’s brother Jim Wahlberg. You’ll be introduced to a brief history of opium and quickly realize that this addiction crisis began with easily accessible prescription medications. Drugs are now cut with fentanyl, which is extremely dangerous and lethal. People are losing their lives and law enforcement can’t seem to keep up with the massive influx of drugs coming into the country. You’ll also learn some strategies for talking to children about drugs, which is crucial to do given the sheer impact that opioids are having on youth.
April 24, 2025

Bryan’s HOPE: The Heroin Epidemic – Prevention & Education

Bryan’s HOPE was founded by Jeannie Richards after she lost her son, Bryan, to a heroin overdose. Richards was hopeful that she could raise enough awareness and money to begin purchasing naloxone kits to hand out to local addicts and the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office. “Bryan, I’d like to think, was just like any other boy growing up, active, happy, healthy,” she says. “It wasn’t until he starting taking prescription Vicodin that he morphed into somebody that I didn’t know” (source). Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer and passed away a year later in 2019. As a result, it appears that Bryan’s Hope is no longer active. However, the messages in this documentary still stand. You’ll hear from Richards herself as well as other parents and family members who have lost loved ones to heroin and other opioids. You’ll also listen to the stories of recovering addicts who have made it out of addiction, and professionals who work in this field. It’s an hour of simply listening – there’s nothing flashy about this documentary, it’s a straight shooter, so to speak. Everyone has something unique to offer, their own personal insight into the opioid crisis, the addictive strength of prescription medications, and the easy move from pills to heroin.
April 24, 2025

HookedRx: From Prescription to Addiction in Arizona

This documentary covers the opioid crisis in Arizona. You’ll hear from frontline workers, policymakers, and counsellors, as well as parents who have lost a child and those who made it to recovery. This video focuses on the route that people take to becoming addicted, starting from being prescribed a prescription medication to suffering from a full-blown addiction. It also discusses the ease at which people are able to obtain the pills, as well as some stories about medical professionals who abused their prescribing powers.