Ep 8. Wasted In Seattle

In Drugs, Inc. season 4 episode 8, "Wasted In Seattle," viewers get an inside look at the drug epidemic taking over Seattle. The episode delves into the skyrocketing rates of heroin overdoses and the variety of factors contributing to the city's drug problem.

One of the main contributors to the drug problem in Seattle is the plethora of prescription painkillers being prescribed throughout the city. Viewers learn that many individuals who become addicted to heroin started out using prescription opioids and turned to heroin as a cheaper and more accessible alternative. The episode explores the connection between the pharmaceutical industry and the heroin epidemic, demonstrating how addicted individuals may turn to street drugs once their legitimate prescriptions run out.

The episode takes viewers to a variety of places where drugs are bought and sold in Seattle. They note how easy it is to obtain heroin and other drugs, even in broad daylight. The lack of police presence in some areas allows drug dealers to conduct business without fear of being caught.

Viewers also get an inside look at the city's needle exchange program, which aims to reduce the spread of diseases such as HIV and hepatitis C among injection drug users. The program provides sterile needles and a safe disposal site for used needles. While some argue the needle exchange program encourages drug use, others argue it's an essential harm-reduction measure necessary to combat the drug epidemic.

The episode also features interviews with individuals who have struggled with addiction and are working to overcome it. They share their personal experiences with heroin and other drugs and discuss the difficulty of getting sober in a city where drugs are so readily available.

Another factor contributing to Seattle's drug problem is homelessness. With the city's rent prices skyrocketing, many individuals are unable to afford housing and are forced to live on the streets. The episode shows how homeless encampments often become hubs for drug use and sale, creating a vicious cycle of addiction and poverty.

The episode takes a deep dive into the opioid crisis in Seattle and the ways in which it's affecting individuals and families throughout the city. It's a thought-provoking look at the ways in which prescription painkillers and heroin have become intertwined, and the impact the epidemic is having on communities in Seattle and beyond.

Overall, "Wasted In Seattle" is a powerful episode that sheds light on an urgent public health crisis affecting many cities across the US. It's a candid and eye-opening look at the factors contributing to the heroin epidemic in Seattle and the devastating toll it's taking on individuals, families, and communities.