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

Injecting Hope: Tackling Drug Overdose With Harm Reduction

Injecting Hope offers an unflinching, ground-level examination of the drug overdose crisis in North America and explores the potential role of harm reduction initiatives, such as safe injection sites, in addressing the epidemic. ABC7 News reporter Tara Campbell takes viewers to the streets of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside for an intimate look at the effects of North America’s first sanctioned safe consumption site, established more than two decades ago, on both individuals struggling with addiction and the broader community.
April 25, 2025

True Stories of Addiction: Alcohol Was My Gateway to Illegal Drugs

Brady grew up in a disconnected family with parents who secretly struggled with drug addiction. After getting his girlfriend pregnant, he married and began working at a liquor store, where he developed a heavy drinking habit. At 26, he tried cocaine and quickly became addicted, using it to stay awake and alcohol to sleep. Later, while working at a phone bank, he began using pain pills after a back injury. The pills made him feel good, and he soon relied on a mix of drugs and alcohol to function. Though he tried to cut back due to the financial cost, he wasn't concerned about health or legal risks—only the financial expenses. While drinking at work one day, a man came through the drive-thru and had cocaine. Brady decided to try it and at 26 he developed a cocaine addiction within a very short period of time. He started using cocaine to wake him up and alcohol to help him when he needed to sleep.
April 25, 2025

Addiction: The Science Behind (NOVA PBS)

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.
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

The Fix: Examining Rhode Island’s Opioid Epidemic

This documentary covers the opioid epidemic 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. It discusses the realities of the opioid crisis and what is truly needed to help people in their journey towards recovery. Rhode Island has made some important changes over the years and its uplifting to hear about how they have led to a reduction in drug use related harms.
April 24, 2025

The Fentanyl Crisis: Stories of Heartbreak and Hope

Fentanyl remains a leading cause of overdose deaths in Virginia. According to the Virginia Department of Health, the synthetic opioid was responsible for 76.5% of the 2,656 overdose fatalities in 2021. The community of those who have lost loved ones to fentanyl continues to expand, with many grieving families seeking to raise awareness about a crisis they feel is not receiving the attention it urgently deserves.
April 24, 2025

Opiate Addiction: Strategies for Creating Long-Term Sobriety

This webinar provides an in-depth exploration of the unique challenges individuals with an opiate addiction encounter on their journey to achieving and maintaining sobriety. It will examine the physical, emotional, and social barriers that often complicate recovery efforts, including stigma, relapse triggers, and gaps in access to effective care. In addition to outlining these obstacles, the session will present a range of evidence-based strategies designed to support sustained, long-term recovery. Participants will be equipped with practical tools and interventions aimed at improving treatment outcomes, fostering stronger engagement, and building resilience among clients. The webinar will also address critical methods for reducing the risk of premature treatment dropout, emphasizing the importance of early intervention, individualized care planning, and ongoing support systems. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of how to better serve individuals struggling with an opiate addiction and contribute to more successful recovery journeys within their communities.