It’s no secret that the heroin epidemic is a nationwide problem, but it seems to have impacted Ohio, especially Dayton, disproportionately. Media Production students at the University of Dayton are creating a documentary that educates and enlightens people as to the reality of living in the epicenter. After examining and presenting a scope and history of the problem, we are concentrating specifically on addiction as a disease, not a choice. During the course of our research, we have determined that most addicts do not use drugs to get high - they use them to avoid feeling sick due to their chemical and physical dependency. We have interviewed former addicts, treatment specialists, coroners and law enforcement officers for a comprehensive analysis of a problem that has existed for decades and likely will continue for many more. Presenting several points of view in the hopes of sharing how opioid addiction impacts different people, our documentary examines what different demographics of people believe could be the solution to mitigating an ongoing crisis. Our documentary is a call to action for the community at large, and we want to break the stigma of addiction. Whether you are married to an addict, lost a parent to addiction, or are a politician capable of spurring change, addiction does not discriminate.
