About Opioid Crisis: The Ripple Effect Series

Needle exchanges, synthetic opioids with devastating power, people cycling through rehab, families in crisis... all of these things speak to the powerful, direct impact the opioid epidemic continues to have on our nation. But addiction doesn’t just affect those who are addicted. Addiction to opioids and heroin is indirectly influencing local government budgets, schools, courts, neighborhoods, and more.

On April 9-13th, an ideastream special series called Opioid Crisis: The Ripple Effect will look at the people and issues indirectly affected by the opioid crisis and make the case that the epidemic’s ripple effects touch many of us.

This public media collaborative series will examine the crisis here in Ohio, but also will feature stories from partners at Oregon Public Broadcasting and WXXI in Rochester, New York.

We’ll compare how these communities are feeling the ripple effects of this national crisis, all while asking the pressing question: why should everyone care?