Facing Addiction

Facing Addiction is an ongoing project of 88.9 WCVE examining the opioid epidemic through the voices of people in recovery, family members, health experts, scientists, lawmakers, state leaders and other stakeholders. In June 2016, 88.9 WCVE presented a week of radio features and digital components that looked at the scope of opioid overdoses in the state, pathways to addiction, recovery options, changing views by law enforcement and policy responses.

Do you have a story to share about addiction? What questions do you have? As we continue to cover the topic, we welcome your input. Write us at facingaddiction@ideastations.org.

From 88.9 WCVE

VCU's Free Hot Coffee Bike Pedals Beyond Campus To Engage Those In Recovery

Thursday, November 22nd

-- Ian Stewart

In Monroe Park, student Carter Bain rides the Free Hot Coffee Bike, which was designed to engage people in conversation about recovery.

VCU Professor John Freyer creates art pieces that use everyday objects to develop human connections. He gained national attention with All My Life For Sale, selling all his possessions online and traveling the country to visit the people who bought them.

Virginia Stories of Recovery Transformed into Songs of Hope

Thursday, September 27th

-- Evie King

In the past five years, more than 5,000 Virginians have died due to opioid use, according to the Virginia Department of Health. A local peer-run center encourages recovery by providing safe spaces for entertainment and songs filled with hope. WCVE’s Evie King has more.

After Son’s Death, Richmond Dentist Works To Combat Opioid Addiction

Friday, August 31st

-- WCVE News

Dr. Abubaker is working to raise awareness about the opioid epidemic among dentists.

One of the common ways teens are exposed to opioids is when they’re being treated for pain, from an injury or for oral surgery. One local dentist has been working to combat the epidemic in the dentist’s office and in the classroom. WCVE Intern Kate Seltzer reports.

Transcript:

By 10 o’clock in the morning, the VCU dental clinic is already bustling with patients. They’re waiting to be treated by VCU’s dentists, or in some cases, dental students like Eleanor Manzini who met with me in between pulling teeth.

As Opioid Epidemic Continues, Alive RVA Launches Warmline Staffed By Peers in Recovery

Thursday, April 26th

-- Catherine Komp

When someone addicted to opioids or other drugs is finally ready to get help, knowing where to go or who to call can be an obstacle. A new resource, staffed by people in recovery themselves, aims to fill that need. WCVE’s Catherine Komp has more for Virginia Currents.

Using Data to Disrupt Virginia’s Opioid Crisis

Thursday, October 5th

-- Catherine Komp

As the opioid epidemic continues to affect thousands across Virginia, officials are looking for new ways to stem this public health crisis. The 2017 Governor’s Datathon brought together dozens of people who used public data to reimagine solutions to addiction. WCVE’s Catherine Komp has more for Virginia Currents.

Transcript:

Recovery, Job Training and a Network of Support at the Healing Place

Thursday, October 27th

-- Catherine Komp

The Healing Place provides men addicted to drugs and alcohol a free, long-term residential recovery program. Offering a “hand up, not a hand out,” they use a 12 step, peer-led model. The program is in high demand, as the opioid epidemic continues in Greater Richmond. Virginia Currents producer Catherine Komp has more in our ongoing series, Facing Addiction.

Rise in Opioid Deaths Prompts Shift in Attitudes

Friday, June 24th

-- Saraya Wintersmith

As Virginia's opioid overdose death toll continues to rise, community leaders are searching for ways to counter the trend. In our series Facing Addiction, WCVE's Saraya Wintersmith reports that for some, the difference between the response to today's drug crisis and that of several decades ago, is striking.

Building a Recovery High School in Central Virginia

Thursday, June 23rd

-- Catherine Komp

Four hundred youth between the ages of 15 and 24 died from opioid overdoses in Virginia between 2010 and 2014, according to data from the Virginia Department of Health. An alternative treatment model - recovery high school - seeks to help young people who are addicted. In WCVE’s ongoing series Facing Addiction, Virginia Currents Producer Catherine Komp reports.

Pathways to Recovery from Opioid Addiction

Thursday, June 23rd

-- Catherine Komp

Thousands of people in Virginia are seeking help for opioid addiction. Many are using a combination of treatment, including peer support, counseling, healthy living and opioid replacement therapy. But the demand is outpacing available services. In part four of our series Facing Addition, Catherine Komp reports.

Virginia Policy Changes Aim to Stem Opioid Deaths, Increase Treatment

Wednesday, June 22nd

-- Craig Carper

Last year alone an estimated 800 Virginians died from opioid overdoses. In part three of our week long WCVE News series Facing Addiction, Craig Carper examines the Commonwealth’s response to the opioid crisis.

From Pain Pills to Heroin, Understanding Opioid Addiction

Tuesday, June 21st

-- Charles Fishburne

The Centers for Disease Control reports that overdoses from prescription opioid pain relievers are the driving factor in the 15-year increase in opioid addiction and death. In our series Facing Addition, 88.9 WCVE’s Charles Fishburne reports on one man whose 20-year addiction to opioids, started with a prescription.

The Rise of Opioid Abuse in Virginia

Monday, June 20th

-- John Ogle

More than 28,000 people died from opioid overdoses in the US in 2014. The epidemic has hit Virginia too, with more than 5,000 deaths since 2007. In the first of our week-long 88.9 WCVE News series Facing Addiction, John Ogle looks at the scope of the crisis in Virginia.

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Facing Addiction

From 88.9 WCVE

VCU's Free Hot Coffee Bike Pedals Beyond Campus To Engage Those In Recovery

Virginia Stories of Recovery Transformed into Songs of Hope

After Son’s Death, Richmond Dentist Works To Combat Opioid Addiction

As Opioid Epidemic Continues, Alive RVA Launches Warmline Staffed By Peers in Recovery

Using Data to Disrupt Virginia’s Opioid Crisis

Recovery, Job Training and a Network of Support at the Healing Place

Rise in Opioid Deaths Prompts Shift in Attitudes

Building a Recovery High School in Central Virginia

Pathways to Recovery from Opioid Addiction

Virginia Policy Changes Aim to Stem Opioid Deaths, Increase Treatment

From Pain Pills to Heroin, Understanding Opioid Addiction

The Rise of Opioid Abuse in Virginia

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Facing Addiction

From 88.9 WCVE