Mountain Lake PBS announced today that public broadcasting stations across New York State will air special programming examining the opioid crisis during the week of October 14. “New York’s Opioid Crisis” is a first of its kind partnership to draw attention to this public health crisis and raise awareness of services available in local communities for those impacted by opioid addiction.
Public broadcasting is renown for its thoughtful and thorough approach to public affairs and social issues, and “New York’s Opioid Crisis” will touch on topics as wide-ranging as the science of addiction, reducing the stigma of addiction and recovery, opioids and the arts, opioid addiction among veterans, and what public health officials are doing to combat the problem.
“This crisis continues to have an enormous impact on our friends, families, and neighbors throughout the communities we serve,” says Bill McColgan, CEO of Mountain Lake PBS. “Mountain Lake PBS is continuing our commitment to not only raise awareness about this issue, but also to explore solutions, including wonderful services and initiatives right here in our region.”
Mountain Lake PBS will be airing local, regional and national stories related to the Opioid Crisis. Mountain Lake Journal will look at the impact and treatment of the opioid crisis in our community. The station will also air The Hungry Heart, a documentary by Bess O’Brien about a St. Albans pediatrician struggling to treat patients with addiction. For more information on “New York’s Opioid Crisis” and additional local resources, visit https://mountainlake.org/opiods.
“New York’s Opioid Crisis” brings together nine PBS television stations and five NPR stations in a first of its kind effort to focus on a single issue across multiple platforms—broadcast television, radio, podcasts, online streaming, social media, and more. This week of special programming was made possible through a unique partnership with the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS).
Program information about public broadcasting’s “New York’s Opioid Crisis” special programming is included below.
NOVA
“Addiction” – Wednesday, October 17 at 9 pm
Discover how opioid addiction affects the brain and how evidence-based treatments are saving lives. Hear firsthand from individuals struggling with addiction and follow the cutting-edge work of doctors and scientists as they investigate why addiction is not a moral failing, but a chronic, treatable medical condition. Easy access to drugs like heroin, fentanyl, and even prescription medications like OxyContin has fueled an epidemic.
REVERSING THE STIGMA
Monday, October 15 at 10 pm
highlights the work being done in New York State to combat addiction and reminds viewers that addiction is a chronic disease that is treatable. The film, narrated by acclaimed television journalist Laurie Dhue, profiles multiple people in various stages of recovery, who share their stories and experiences. (Additional air time on Tuesday, October 16 at 3 am)
FRONTLINE
“Chasing Heroin” – Wednesday, October 15 at 10 pm
A searing, two-hour investigation places America’s heroin crisis in a fresh and provocative light — telling the stories of individual addicts, but also illuminating the epidemic’s years-in-the-making social context, deeply examining shifts in U.S. drug policy, and exploring what happens when addiction is treated like a public health issue, not a crime.
UNDERSTANDING THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC
Thursday, October 18 at 9 pm on PBS
A one-hour PBS documentary that traces the causes behind the unprecedented growth in the use of prescription opioids and the devastating impact these drugs are having in virtually every part of America. The program captures the story of the opioid crisis through personal stories and interviews with experts.
THE PAINFUL TRUTH
Tuesday, October 16 at 4 am
What happens when lives are dramatically torn apart by chronic pain? The Painful Truth takes us behind the headlines of addiction and beyond the controversies of the war on opioids – an intimate view of patients’ frustrations, setbacks, and goals as they deal with chronic pain. We hear patients tell us their stories … and we understand the social barriers and prejudices they face every day.
THE HUNGRY HEART
Thursday, October 18 at 10 pm
Bess O’Brien’s The Hungry Heart provides an intimate look at the often hidden world of prescription drug addiction through the world of Vermont Pediatrician Fred Holmes who works with patients struggling with this disease.
MOUNTAIN LAKE JOURNAL
Friday, October 19 at 8 pm on PBS
Mountain Lake Journal will be updating two projects underway in the North Country to help with addiction: a new detox and treatment facility opening in Schuyler Falls, NY, and plans by a local businessman to turn former college dormitories into temporary housing for people in recovery.
SUNDAY MARATHON
Sunday, October 21 starting at 11 am
Repeating episodes of NOVA: Addiction, Reversing the Stigma, Understanding the Opioid Epidemic, and The Painful Truth.
The Association of Public Broadcasting Stations of New York represents all nine public television stations throughout the state. They are: WNED (Buffalo), WXXI (Rochester), WCNY (Syracuse), WSKG (Binghamton), WPBS-TV (Watertown), Mountain Lake PBS (Plattsburgh), WMHT (Troy), WNET (NYC), and WLIW (Long Island).