Frontline Season 5 Episode 3 Stopping Drugs
- February 10, 1987
- 24 min
Stopping Drugs is the third episode of the fifth season of the acclaimed PBS documentary series Frontline. This episode examines the United States' policy towards drug addiction and the efforts being made to end the crisis.
The episode begins by exploring how the opioid epidemic has ravaged the country. Frontline investigates how many doctors and pharmaceutical companies have played a role in this public health tragedy. The episode takes viewers into the lives of individuals who have become dependent on opioids and the challenges they face in trying to overcome their addiction.
Stopping Drugs goes beyond opioids, shedding light on other forms of addiction that have caused problems for many people in the United States. The show also examines how policymakers are trying to address the crisis, and whether their efforts are sufficient.
The documentary includes interviews with a diverse range of experts, including doctors, addiction specialists, community leaders, and law enforcement officials. These professionals share their insights on the crisis and what needs to be done to address it. The episode also includes interviews with people who have struggled with addiction and their loved ones. Their stories offer a deeply personal perspective on the issue.
Stopping Drugs discusses different approaches to addiction and the role of various stakeholders in the crisis. This includes examining the effectiveness of medication-assisted therapy, the need for harm reduction strategies like needle exchange programs, and the debate over supervising safe injection sites. The episode also looks at the impact of long-standing policies like the war on drugs and mandatory minimum sentences.
Throughout Stopping Drugs, Frontline offers a comprehensive and nuanced look at the drug crisis. The documentary confronts the fact that the addiction crisis has been largely driven by systemic factors, not individual choices. The series illuminates how addiction impacts not only individuals but also the communities they live in, and how addressing this challenge requires a multi-faceted approach.
Viewers will come away from Stopping Drugs with a better understanding of the devastating impact of addiction and the policies, interventions, and solutions that can make a difference in this crisis. The episode raises important questions about the scale of the problem and how best to address it. It represents a thought-provoking examination of addiction in America and its complex contributing factors.
Overall, Stopping Drugs is an urgent and important installment in the Frontline series, offering a crucial look at one of America's most pressing public health crises.