Episode 4 - The Opioid Crisis | Emory School of Medicine

Episode 4 | Aired September 28, 2020
Run time: 1:54:46

This episode documents the roots of the opioid crisis in Georgia and addresses the latest information about the increase in addiction rates and overdose deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Episode Segments

Eastern Kentucky and Opioids

Episode 4 | Segment 1 | Aired September 28, 2020
Run time: 3:06

Emory University and the University of Kentucky partner to conduct a study called Care2Hope, studying community responses to the opioid crisis.

Erica Walker

Episode 4 | Segment 2 | Aired September 28, 2020
Run time: 3:00

Erica Walker talks about her addiction to opioids and what led her to recovery. Experts discuss bringing an integrated treatment approach to communities highly affected by the opioid crisis.

Georgia Opioid Statistics

Episode 4 | Segment 3 | Aired September 28, 2020
Run time: 3:01

We review opioid statistics in the state of Georgia – examining the number of doses prescribed in relation to deaths by overdose.

Caleb Alexander

Episode 4 | Segment 4 | Aired September 28, 2020
Run time: 3:17

Dr. Caleb Alexander and team examine policies for Medicaid, Medicare and major private insurers, reviewing their coverage policies for drugs to treat chronic lower back pain.

Christopher Wolf

Episode 4 | Segment 5 | Aired September 28, 2020
Run time: 3:18

We sit down with Cammie Wolf Rice as she talks about the death of her son Christopher, who lost his battle against opioid addiction.

Evidenced-Based Treatments

Episode 4 | Segment 6 | Aired September 28, 2020
Run time: 4:39

Dr. Justine Welsh discusses evidenced-based treatments for opioid use disorder.

Brian Waronker

Episode 4 | Segment 7 | Aired September 28, 2020
Run time: 1:58

Steve and Mitzi Waronker talk about their son Brian who they lost to an opioid overdose.

Frankie McCaffrey

Episode 4 | Segment 8 | Aired September 28, 2020
Run time: 2:28

Jeanette McCaffrey remembers her son Frankie, who died from an opioid overdose.

Stephen Boykin

Episode 4 | Segment 9 | Aired September 28, 2020
Run time: 6:56

Stephen Boykin and his parents, Frank and Karen, tell the story of Stephen's opioid addiction and how medication-assisted treatment saved his life.

Davis Owens

Episode 4 | Segment 10 | Aired September 28, 2020
Run time: 2:02

Missy Owens remembers her son Davis who died from an opioid overdose, and discusses the creation of The Zone, a recovery organization with the goal of helping people stay in recovery.

The Christopher Wolf Crusade

Episode 4 | Segment 11 | Aired September 28, 2020
Run time: :50

The Christopher Wolf Crusade is focused on the prevention of opioid addiction and taking this message to children through a peer to peer program.

The Pittard Clinic

Episode 4 | Segment 12 | Aired September 28, 2020
Run time: 2:32

The Pittard Clinic in Toccoa, GA, provides medication assisted treatment to people with opioid use disorder.

Andy Gish

Episode 4 | Segment 13 | Aired September 28, 2020
Run time: 2:06

Andy Gish, an ER nurse who lives in the Little Five Points area of Atlanta, makes sure businesses in the local area have the overdose reversing drug Naloxone.

Resources in Georgia

Episode 4 | Segment 14 | Aired September 28, 2020
Run time: 6:24

Resources in Georgia are highlighted to help fight the opioid crisis in Georgia. Tony Sanchez tells his story of recovery and how he is now a certified peer specialist.

CDC Director Robert Redfield

Episode 4 | Segment 15 | Aired September 28, 2020
Run time: 5:59

CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield discusses the country's opioid problem and one of the most powerful ways to confront stigma – speak out and share our truth with others.