America Addicted

Note: this is a series of our blog posts looking at stories and activities of PBS Member Stations.

During FY18, MPT continued to address the opioid addiction crisis and its impact on communities across the state. The program offered viewers on 36 television and radio stations an Addition & Recovery Week that included the documentary “Breaking Heroin’s Grip: Road to Recovery.” The 2018 edition also featured programs that spread important safety information on medication while reporting gut-wrenching stories from the frontlines of the opioid epidemic and highlighting breakthroughs in the fight against it. In addition to this critical effort, MPT worked closely with the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) to broadcast two state-wide public awareness campaigns: “Anti-Stigma”focused on helping victims of the opioid crisis overcome the shame associated with addiction and “Talk to Your Doctor,” encouraging viewers to take greater control of their healthcare decisions by being proactive with their medical providers.