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Bethlehem, PA. – April 14, 2020 –Battling Opioids, a project from the seven Pennsylvania public media stations, returns for part five and will revisit stories of hope and recovery that were featured earlier in this series. For some, it’s been a very long road, especially in dealing with the recent Coronavirus outbreak. Part five will premiere on PBS39/WLVT at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 23, 2020.
The coronavirus is now affecting all aspects of life. For someone dealing with addiction, the change in routine could be detrimental to their recovery due to isolation and increased anxiety. In part five of Battling Opioids, you’ll hear updates from some of the people featured in earlier programs, as well as how COVID-19 impacts all aspects of recovery, from education to treatment.
“It’s more important than ever to shed light on the darkness of addiction and how those who are impacted are coping in today’s world,” Tim Fallon, Chief Executive Officer of Lehigh Valley Public Media said. “As part of this very important project, PBS39 believes we can help save lives by connecting people who seek information and support with sources of assistance across Pennsylvania.”
Battling Opioids Part Fivewill look forward to segments including:
WQED: We revisit the story about “Chris’s Room”, Chris’s Room offers respite for those who find themselves without a home or family as they struggle to stay off drugs. The room was named for Chris Wall, a young professional who died of a heroin overdose in 2016.
WLVT: PBS39 revisits Jeremy Wheaton who recommitted himself to recovery. Today, he has a steady job and is training to become a certified recovery specialist.
WITF: Those in recovery are often told at the beginning of their journey towards sobriety that they can have a life beyond their wildest dreams. Many remember tuning out when they heard those words or questioning what they even meant. We take a look at the success of recovery.
WVIA: Shannon Pieck from Luzerne County battled his addiction for many years and continues his recovery. Shannon recently became a recovery specialist for Clean-Slate in Wilkes-Barre.
WQLN: John Hartnett is a person in recovery from a substance abuse disorder. He began his process of recovery in 2015 after losing 15 friends and has become a big advocate for people with substance abuse disorders in the Crawford County community. One of his roles is holding events under the “Let’s Talk: Overcome Addiction” campaign which brings people together to discuss solutions through community collaboration.
Visit PBS39.org to watch the first four parts of this series or visit battlingopioids.org/podcasts to listen. Check your local listings to find PBS39/WLVT on your cable or satellite provider.
About Lehigh Valley Public Media™
Lehigh Valley Public Media is home to PBS39, WLVR News, and various community initiatives. We are the regional leader in the publicly funded, non-profit media space and serve a vibrant and growing economic region through a dedication to local, unbiased journalism, primary and secondary education, workforce development and health and wellness.PBS39 broadcasts four additional channels of content: PBS39 Extra, WORLD, Create TV and France 24. Lehigh Valley Public Media is licensed in Allentown to the Lehigh Valley Public Telecommunications Corporation. For more information, visit PBS39.org.
About Battling Opioids
Pennsylvania has one of the highest opioid overdose death rates in the nation. Every day, thousands of Pennsylvanians—mothers, and fathers, children, neighbors—struggle to overcome addiction. Rural and urban, rich and poor, the opioid crisis affects all of us.
Neither people nor communities can fight this battle alone. Battling Opioids is a project of seven Pennsylvania Public Media stations. Public media has a unique potential to connect Pennsylvanians across boundaries, and, in an unprecedented collaboration, we are doing just that. Our local reporting and programming have covered the opioid crisis for years, now we are uniting to show you how Pennsylvanians statewide are confronting the epidemic of heroin and prescription opioid abuse. We are increasing awareness and empathy to reduce the stigma around opioid use, aid prevention, and help people find treatment.
Pennsylvania Public Media stations WHYY (Philadelphia), WITF (Harrisburg), WLVT/PBS39 (Greater Lehigh Valley), WPSU (State College), WQED (Pittsburgh), WQLN (Northwestern Pennsylvania), and VIA Public Media (Northeastern Pennsylvania) are collaborating to produce educational programming that focuses on the opioid crisis and its impact.
Information provided to TVL by:
Victoria Scialfa
Marketing and Public Relations Manager
Lehigh Valley Public Media
