HCC to Offer Free Screening of Opioid-addiction Documentary on Oct. 3

HOLYOKE — America’s heroin crisis has been called the worst drug epidemic in U.S history, with more than 27,000 prescription and heroin overdose deaths each year. With that in mind, Holyoke Community College (HCC) will host a screening of the Frontline documentary Chasing Heroin: Investigating an American Crisis on Wednesday, Oct. 3 at 11 a.m. in the Leslie Phillips Theater in the Fine and Performing Arts Building. The screening is free and open to the general public. 

Chasing Heroin tells the story of individual addicts and vividly examines the social context and the role that big pharmacology contributed to the epidemic’s growth. The documentary also offers a fresh perspective as it explores what happens when addiction is treated as a public-health issue and not a crime. 

Following the film, Liz Whynott from Tapestry Health’s Harm Reduction Program and a representative from WellConnect will speak briefly and be available to answer questions. Whynott oversees the syringe-access programs in Holyoke and Northampton as well as Tapestry Health’s harm-reduction efforts in Franklin and Berkshire County. 

Informational tables will be set up at 10:30 a.m. in the theater lobby prior to the screening. Staff will be available to answer questions and provide information before and after the event. Representatives from Narcotics Anonymous will also be available to provide information.