Vermont Business Magazine Vermont PBS is honoring National Recovery Month this September by bringing two poignant local films by Bess O’Brien to air: the award-winning The Hungry Heart, which looks at the often-hidden world of prescription drug abuse through pediatrician Dr. Fred Holmes and his patients, and Here Today, which addresses the ravaging effects of heroin addiction on Vermont families. These films will be part of a network event called The Opiate Crisis: Stories and Solutions, that will utilize these films as a way to convene discussions around the tragedy of the opiate addiction crisis and together with the Vermont community, seek solutions.
The Hungry Heart will have its broadcast premiere on Vermont PBS on September 6th at 7 pm. On September 7th at 7 pm, Here Today will air, followed immediately by a live panel discussion at the Vermont PBS studio at 8 pm. To join the live studio audience starting at 7 pm, register at go.vermontpbs.org/OpiateCrisis_PR.
Screenings of Here Today are also scheduled at locations around the state, and will each be followed by a panel discussion moderated by Fran Stoddard and including filmmaker Bess O’Brien among other experts on the difficult topic of addiction. The public is welcome to join Vermont PBS at:
Latchis Theater, Brattleboro, VT
September 12, 7 pm
To register: go.vermontpbs.org/TheOpiateCrisis_WB
Rutland High School, Rutland, VT
Wednesday September 13, 7 pm
To register: go.vermontpbs.org/OpiateCrisis_WB
Catamount Arts, St. Johnsbury, VT
Thursday, September 14, 7 pm
To register: go.vermontpbs.org/Opiates_Web
“By nearly every measure, opioid addiction is the crisis of our time, and is touching nearly every Vermonter in one way or another,” said Holly Groschner, President and CEO of Vermont PBS. “As Vermont’s public media organization, we take seriously our responsibility to participate in this difficult yet important discussion, and to bring together Vermonters to work toward solutions together. We’re pleased to work with Bess O’Brien and her notable films as a vehicle for convening this conversation.”
“The challenges of the opiate crisis are daunting and the impacts on Vermont families and our communities is devastating,” shares Don George, President and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont. “We are committed to this project because it provides an opportunity for us all to further the conversation and determine how we can enhance the important and effective work going on to both prevent and treat addiction in Vermont.”
Underwriting support for The Opiate Crisis is generously provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont. Additional support is provided by the Vermont Department of Health’s ParentUp and Dartmouth Hitchcock.
Vermont PBS is Vermont’s statewide public media provider and visual storyteller, with a commitment to cultural enrichment and civic engagement. More information is available at vermontpbs.org.
Source: Colchester, Vt. – August 23, 2017 – Vermont PBS