Opioid addiction is gripping the entire country, Florida and our local communities. Every day, more than 115 people in the United States die after overdosing on opioids.
It’s no longer an unspoken ill of society to be devoured by these pain-killing drugs. Instead, it's consuming the lives of your friends, neighbors, mothers, fathers and grandparents.
The documentary features three people affected by addiction: a user, a mother of an addict and a child of an addict, all with harrowing stories to share.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Spectrum News is taking a unique look into the opioid crisis and heroin epidemic consuming our neighborhoods and exploring solutions to the problem.
Before the town hall, Spectrum News will feature an original documentary that looks at the devastating impact heroin is having on Florida's young people. Afterward, the live town hall will feature a panel of experts including lawmakers, medical experts, law enforcement and those personally impacted by addiction.
Opioids are a class of drugs naturally found in the opium poppy plant, including heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, morphine, and many others.
According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, opioids are often used as medicines because they contain chemicals that relax the body and can relieve pain. Opioids can cause people to feel "high" and are very addictive.
According to the NIDA, heroin is one of the world's most dangerous opioids, and is never used as a medicine in the United States.
For more information, head to the National Institute of Drug Abuse.
