Contaminated: the fentanyl crisis in St. Louis

[@gregcooks9]

I was an addict for 16 years, I've been clean for five years last week. This doc is incredible and the makers should really be proud for including a lot of important concepts and I hope people that see this that have not experienced addiction gain some empathy through this.

[@Laayon19]

Well done Greg. Makes me feel good when I hear of people breaking free. I've fought so many addictions and I'm nearing freedom.

[@sherribrawn3757]

Agreed 100%!

[@zdulski40]

7

[@Desaree1]

Congratulations on your sobriety. Enjoy your freedom.

[@ChardeeMacdennis339]

Congrats on your 5 years! That’s awesome 😄

[@robjohnson6747]

I lost my son October 24 2020 and I’m still struggling so much ! A huge part of me died and I hurt so bad I can’t even explain it , he was 28 ! I’m so sick of randomly crying ! I’m a 54 year old broken dad and am divorced ! It’s so hard !!!!!!!!

[@jjcoola998]

Sorry your going through this bud, at least know he is not in pain anymore coming from someone who gets it

[@FactStorm]

I'm sorry for your loss Rob, thanks for sharing

[@angelangel1]

Sending you positive vibes and a big hug, Rob.

[@debwoods5834]

Rob you will be in my prayers ❤

[@dianawilliams6700]

May God bless and strengthen you Rob. There are so many it seems that are getting snared with this drug. I pray we're able to encourage people to stay away from it and maybe spare another parent from experiencing the pain of losing a son or daughter. May God comfort you and your family.

[@OmegaLegion]

I'm a pharmacist, and I work at a national hospital as pharmacovigilance supervisor in Syria.. We use Fentanyl for patients under life support machine, so we prevent all reflexive reaction that may put the patient in a dire situation.. 2 years ago I noticed a spike in Fentanyl usage, so I had to start a regular investigation to discover the source of the spike, and what I found out was shocking.. Patients count was the same, but doctors kept asking for more because of 2 reasons: 1- patients started to develop resistance to Fentanyl dosage, therefore larger amounts needed for them. 2- few doctors were addicted to Fentanyl, so they used those patients as an excuse to supply themselves with Fentanyl to satisfy their addiction.. That month 2 doctors got kicked out of the hospital, and another 2 quit working in my hospital. My opinion, the ignorance of the doctors and the pharmacists in USA caused this crisis, they should have known better what damage can this drug do.

[@Phroggster]

A few things here... American doctors weren't prescribing fentanyl to patients outside of in-patient intensive care unit or operating room sedation scenarios like you mention. Doctors *were* however, writing excessive scripts for things like oxycontin, in large part because they were told directly from the manufacturers that it was somehow magically non-habit forming. Then, the federal government shut down virtually all opioid scripts, leaving a huge demand for the streets to fill. The streets filled this demand through heroin, which became heroin laced with fentanyl, which became fentanyl directly. Excluding, what, two or three?, concierge doctors to the stars, at no point in time were doctors writing scripts for at-home use of this stuff, and no retail pharmacies stocked it. But cut off addicts from their regulated, well-manufactured, precisely-dosed and dirt cheap but relatively weak pills from the pharmacy, and they're going to look elsewhere to fill their needs. Are the doctors and pharmacists really to blame for that?

[@OmegaLegion]

@@Phroggster doctors and pharmacists studied all kinds of narcotics, opioids, and sedatives.. They should knew what will happen to these patients, and in the worst case scenario they had to warn all their patients about the dangers of such drugs.. Never trust any pharmaceutical company or any representative of them, only trust the official studies, you can see them on WHO websites, or USP.

[@lk3309]

That's very interesting. Thanks

[@irisessex90]

A lot of it is coming across the border and they are putting it in everything.

[@nigeh5326]

Syria also has a big problem with amphetamines I know. Given the horrific events Syrians have seen and experienced in the last 20 years it’s surprising more aren’t addicted. Good luck in the future I hope things get better for the Syrian people

[@schneir5]

It's been over four years and five months since I stuck a needle in my arm! It was December 17, 2018, and I overdosed on fentanyl. It wasn't even close to the worst I've ever been strung out on dope, but so far it was my wake up call. I was really close to relapsing last summer (2022). I was engaged to this amazing woman and was really happy, but then in about a three week time frame, my dad unexpectedly died, my fiance left me for another guy, and I got fired from my job I'd had for almost five years. My boss went from telling me they were there for me, at my dad's funeral, to saying that they wanted to transition to my no longer working there because my performance had declined three weeks later. I was showing up and doing my job. I pretty much just didn't care at that point, though. I had no tears left. There were times that I was so depressed and consumed with grief and disbelief that reality was the way it was, that I couldn't do anything except cry uncontrollably. I couldn't eat. I couldn't sleep. At first, when I would wake up in utter panic, my fiance would be there for me to hold and I would feel better and be able to fall back asleep, but I still have times that I wake up feeling panic, and still expect her to be there. I think the thing that has been really helping me is lifting weights and exercising. My teeth are pretty messed up from my time as a junkie, so it's difficult for me to eat a lot of food, and when I'm depressed I have no appetite. I've just been getting protein from protein powder with milk, and I'm really happy with my physical progress. I'm in the best physical shape of my life so far, but I still feel worthless and unwanted inside. I still blame myself for my ex leaving, and drive myself crazy trying to figure out what I did wrong. On top of all of my issues with still being in love with my ex and not really wanting anyone else and not thinking anyone will ever want me, I'm still really sad about my dad dying too. My ex's grandma had died a week before my dad did, so I was taking care of my ex nonstop, and my mom called me and told me that my dad had died, and I just broke down. I couldn't believe it. I still can't. It was a week after my parents' 40th wedding anniversary. He was only 65 years old. Also now my own grandma is in hospice, so I'm sad about that and going to visit her reminds me of taking my ex to see her grandma. I'm really not looking forward to this Father's Day, since it will be the first without him. Plus, my ex and I were trying to get her pregnant, so it's a reminder that I'll probably never have kids, and after my mom dies, no one will really care about me. I'm still such a mess, emotionally. I did find a new job in November at least, but I still have times where I break down crying at my desk, and try to hide it from my coworkers. I'm sorry for rambling, if you read all of this. If you're currently having your own struggles with drugs, then I really hope that things work out for you. I know that no matter how bad things get, that dope will make it worse. I've proven that to myself over and over in the past.

[@ciacole-bandy1716]

Sending you love and light..it will get better❤

[@juicyfruit7995]

Stay strong, you've come this far and you can do it, I've only ever had a weed addiction so I can't imagine the pain you've gone through but I'm sending you love and light, I'm from the UK and there are problems here too but not like where you are from. Best wishes. ❤

[@margotchanning1822]

Bless u darling!! That was a lot for u to open up about, I'm sure it was very hard for u to do that. I really do hope ur feeling better today. One day at a time. I struggle with my mental health so much, like so many others, but I'm doing my best...one day at a time. U are worthy of love, please believe that❤️

[@mitch8697]

Thank you for sharing! Stay up, stay strong. That's a lot of clean time under your belt. Keep it up ❤

[@dw7546]

God loves you and wants to guide you and comfort you, He's always there, God Bless you, little by little I've learned to surrender to the Lord, I can't fight whats wrong in the world by myself, He's the strength, I love you

[@bigredswife4646]

I'm day 13 off of fentanyl and this is by far the hardest battle I've ever faced ...

[@johntaranto29]

Hang in there you're through the worst of the acute withdrawal

[@bigredswife4646]

@@johntaranto29 thanks luv I'm feeling alot better today I'm VERY resolute in that I don't want to use anymore so the cravings are all mental now. I got this!!!!!

[@danamissouri]

I pray you didn't return to it and you're still with us.

[@margotchanning1822]

​@@bigredswife4646please let us know how ur doing?🙏

[@shantayeholloway3012]

I prayed your staying strong

[@Blacksheep-Ba-Ba]

I've got 3 years clean. I became addicted at the age of 47 years old. Started with my doctor prescribed me pain killers, and I was fully addicted to them by the end of the 1st week. I was a full blown drug addict within a couple of months. I went from being a happy home owner and business owner to completely destroyed, homeless, and alone in 2 years. It ruined my career and my life. I am 3 years sober, and life is getting better, I never imagined having to start over in my 50s. However I am grateful I'm still alive. I never thought I was going to survive.

[@michaelahass2695]

Very touching! I pray for you and send you positive energy from Paris, France ! GBY ...🙏❤

[@kellyharris8976]

♥️

[@Ryan88881]

That’s not normal. It’s really not that hard to *not* abuse opioids. Why do you people get addicted so easily? Makes no sense. I mean the end of the first week? Come on bro. Have some control.

[@johnrhodes3350]

@@Ryan88881 I've been wondering this myself. I'm not necessarily speaking about the original poster. But I have a suspicion that these people must have a biological, neurological and psychological predisposition

[@Ryan88881]

@@johnrhodes3350 Yeah or just a general lack of education on how to use drugs properly paired with a lack of discipline over one's own behavior and use patterns but I have pretty poor discipline myself and I still couldn't imagine having a *DAILY* relationship with any opioid. That's just insane. With weed or coke? Sure, but daily use of opioids?? You'd have to really not give a shit about anything at that point. Never could understand it. Either way, people like OP ruined opioids for the rest of us, even just as pain medicine. Even people with actual pain and health issues can barley can them now.

[@Yassss-rj9zf]

My friends son died from it. He was only 20. She went to the store and left her son watching television, when she got back he was sitting in the same chair slumped over with foam coming out of his mouth. She was gone less than 10 minutes. He’s been gone for 3yrs now. I remember when he was born.

[@Carmen-us1ew]

😢💔

[@vicvic2081]

Insane

[@typeorulz]

🙏❤

[@matthewstuart2054]

Full respect to the recovering addicts in this story, I have been through the withdrawals when I stopped using and I can say that there are no words that can describe the emotional and physical suffering that you go through getting clean.

[@MarvinStarr-tu3ow]

Yes dir

[@garybrunecz7785]

YOU BETTER KEEP A SUPPLY ON HAND SO THAT WHEN WE GET INTO A NUCLEAR WAR. YOU CAN TAKE A FEW PILLS AND GO GOODNIGHT FOREVER. IT SURE BEATS WHAT MOST OF US WILL GO THROUGH IN THE FUTURE ON THIS WAR RAVAGED, RESORCE DEPLETED MASSIVELY POLUTED, OVERPOPULATED PLANET WHERE SATAN AND MONEY ARE IN COMPLETE CONTROL. GETTING AWAY WITH KILLING BILLIONS OF PEOPLE IS FAR EASIER THEN YOUR THINK FOR THE SUPER RICH RULING CLASS PARTIES OF THIS SINISTER WORLD. ONCE THEY WIPE US OUT THE WORLD THEY CAN FINALLY BREATHE A SIGH OF RELIEF AND RETIRE IN STYLE IN ONE OF THEIR LAVISH UNDERGROUND RESORTS BUILT FOR A KING. (servants included) and KNOW THAT IT WILL BE A LONG TIME BEOFRE ANOTHER MAJOR WAR AND WE DUMBED DOWN EXPENDABLE SLAVES WILL NOT HAVE TO BE BORN INTO THIS SICK, DEMMENTED POWER DRUNK WHORE OF A WORLD. ITS BETTER TO LET THE DOWNTRODDEN DIE FROM A DRUG THAT PUTS THEM RIGHT TO SLEE THEN TO MAKE THEM LIVE A LIFE WITH NO HOPE OR FUTURE FOR MOST OF US ANYWAY. ONLY THE RICH AND SUPER RICH HAVE SOMETHING TO LIVE FOR. MONEY IS THE ONLY THING THAT GIVES IS FREEDOM AND AN EASY CUSHY LIFE AN ALLOWS YOU TO LIVE OFF THE WORLD'S SLAVES. PLUS IT CREATES LOTS OF JOBS FOR THE WORLD'S SLAVES BECAUSE THEY GET PAID TO CLEAN UP THE MESS AND REBUILD THE COUNTRIES. THIS IMMIGRATION DUMPING GROUND LOVES NON STOP WARS BECAUSE YOU ARE KILLING TWO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE. THE GOVERNMENT MASTERS GET TO REDUCE THE SIZE OF THE HERDS OF SHEEPLE WHILE AT THE SAME TIME MAKE BOAT LOADS OF MONEY BY DRAGGING WARS OUT FOR YEARS. ITS A WIN, WIN PLAY FOR THE RULING MASTERS WHO GIVE THEIR PUPPETS THE GREEN LIGHT ON KILLING MILLIONS OF PEOPLE THEY HAVE NO USE FOR OR THAT ARE MORE LESS UNDESIRABLES OR USELESS EATERS THAT ARE IN THE WAY AND ARE COMPETITORS FOR THE REMAINING RESORCES AND RICHES DESIRED SO MUCH BY THE STRONG, RICH, SMART AND GREEDY PEOPLE ON THIS EARTH. MONEY MONEY MONEY IS ALL THAT MATTERS AND YOU CAN GET ANY OF THESE VILLAGE IDIOTS TO KISS YOUR ASS AND BROWN NOSE YOU IF YOUR ARE THE ONE IN CONTROL OF THE SPENDING OF IT.

[@serpentmaster1323]

As well as to all the recovering addicts reading your comment. My well wishes to them too.

[@Jenny-uv4dl]

I totally agree I lost 23lbs in 10days going thru withdrawal and being sick

[@gulumhazer]

Yes I totally agree!! It’s one of the worst things to go through!!! I have never in my life felt like some one was twisting my insides up and the nausea and vomiting that came with it was horrid. The part that sucks the most is the fact that some of your, symptoms after the worst part is over, can last for years.

[@jakewheat5763]

As a previous foster child from the state of Missouri, you see this kind of addiction run rampant in homes. I lost a foster brother to it. And I lost plenty of friends due to the associations I had. Coming from trauma, and being that the child is already in survival mode, this drug tends to be a very common interest amongst youth. I told myself plain and simple. Don't touch it. I've seen it more times than I'd like to admit. But I never touched it. Demon of a drug.

[@reneedennis2011]

I am so sorry 😞.

[@Carmen-us1ew]

Good choices 💕

[@tjadventures9163]

Good job! Keep with that thought process.

[@pinkbunny6272]

I was told not to try *any* synthetic drug. From my druggy friends, the *bad influence* I was warned about when almost repeating junior year/11th grade. Haven't touched anything, try doing the don't touch it. It's safer.

[@delondadelony462]

Good for you Jake. Keep strong and stay smart, always! Wishing you all the best Life has to offer. You got this!!

[@scotty7574]

Congratulations to those who survived this addictive crises and prays to those who are still struggling and striving to overcome.

[@gowdsake7103]

Praying the vacuous platitude that allows things to continue to go down

[@joannaazar7396]

These drugs are definitely dangerous and different. I have 3 years clean. 💫

[@hook-x6f]

I had to move away from the dope people and that really did it.

[@blackswan1983]

I was a nanny to a young girl for 3 years. During that time her mother died of a fentanyl OD. Guys, don't risk doing this to your child. She didn't cry, but she started smearing poo on walls and breaking things. Losing a parent in such a senseless way damages children.

[@GS-zc4sk]

These stories are horrible. Esp when they've gotten clean and don't realize their tolerance has dropped to the floor. Until it's too late. Maybe acting normal should be considered they're at high risk for OD? What is the deal!?

[@blackswan1983]

@@GS-zc4sk Addiction is so strong that they forget about the dropped tolerance. They're warned repeatedly about the risk of using after detox. I used to work in addictions and drilled that into their mind. But when all you want is a fix, that risk is worth it 😞

[@tjreality2711]

@@blackswan1983 Until the person decides they have had enough PAIN, only then will they decide they've had enough! It's in the Big Book & Narcotics Anonymous. Other materials as well. Gotta always work the program!! Alanon is a great resource for those suffering with an addict in their life!

[@amyyyamy]

Apparently, the drugs were more important to her than her child. I am so sorry for that girl.

[@MrJacob50]

Wow, so sad and thank you for pointing out the harm we do when we get caught up in addiction.

[@kristiwetsel9531]

I'm so sorry for everyone's loss , and thankful who all did this documentary that are sober ❤

[@thatlaserlady3899]

3 years off fent. 9/19/19 my life is great, I got my professional license back, bought my own house, have the best dog... all of it.... and still miss that stuff at times. Life is hard and physically painful for me, but I know the alternative is a death wish.

[@queenjanee6290]

I am so proud of you ❤❤ keep going you got this. This is a inspiring for me to know it’s not too late for me to become a homeowner.

[@melaniesilva8182]

I celebrated two years off of it this past oct

[@ChrisTopherBunnell]

My ex-wife became a drug addict after we split up, she bought what she thought was Xanax and overdosed on fentanyl in St Louis in August of 2019. I now have survivors guilt because I never tried to get her back.

[@leannsmreker3201]

Your best dog would never understand why you didn't come home. Good luck with your sobriety. My ex husband is a counselor at a rehab center and he is always willing to help people out. There are free state beds

[@wildestcowboy2668]

You guys are very brave and I'll pray for you all.

[@popejaimie]

In the 60s we wanted to expand our mind, so we took LSD In the 80s we wanted to start businesses and have great ideas, so we did cocaine In the 90s we wanted to party and love each other, so we took ecstasy In the 00s, we just had a lot of work to get done, so we did meth Now we just need palliative care. We are a dying society. So we take fentanyl to deal with the pain of death.

[@suzyqualcast6269]

From 37-69 SK&F presided over the burgeoning, booming, ambitious 🇺🇸 with, initially, otc Benzedrine, then Dexedrine. Then Dex were claimed down on, illicit drug use took hold and the States began to decline.

[@hapilee5844]

Well played my friend!! So true...

[@enochpage1333]

Extremely insightful, but it does not have to be our destiny. The spirit of God inhabits us.

[@Carmen-us1ew]

Very poetic. Luckily, I've never taken any of them.

[@lynnjaxful]

No "we" didn't.

[@josi4251]

I am a grateful recovering alcoholic/addict, 9 years sober. This is one of the finest programs I have seen, not just on fentanyl but which addresses addiction in general. Excellent work! I intend to use this somehow with my 12th grade dual-credit writing class.

[@cb145]

Great idea making them aware

[@thuandao4243]

So proud of you josi ❤ sobriety is a blessing, cherish each day like it’s the last . Keep up your awesome job, 9 years .wow 😊🎉

[@CommanderKlag]

I'm really glad you are doing well now, good for you! However, this presentation is propaganda as it exclude the non functional group that require life long pain management because of severe body damage. Some people are in so much pain from injury to their body that they often kill themselves because they cannot obtain pain treatment. Thats why the street drug crisis is being allowed to continue around the world, like Vancover, Kensington etc. These are Revolving Doors of Death that are allowed by the goverment. In my openion, it's a intended population cleansing by negelect.

[@TeresaFroster]

I was homeless, got addicted to drug's went to prison came out and Heaven came through for me in my finances too making $12,550 in just 1month in forex, rented my first apartment last week ,God has absolutely done more than enough

[@YanaSimon754]

What a great news you are really doing, my finance are really in mess right now and great tip will really go along way in shaping my life too im open for idea

[@TeresaFroster]

I started pretty low investing in forex though with $1,250 thereabouts. The returns came massive. My son Joe is in school now doing well, telling me of new friends he's meeting in school. (Alvarez Harry) is a Blessing to my life

[@Jocov187]

Wow 😲I'm shocked you know this man too he is good with and on his job. He has helped a couple of families finances, I thought I'm the only one investing with him

[@Brielle77-p4h]

You don't have to be surprised, That's exactly his name( Alvarez Harry) so many people have recommended highly about him I'm huge beneficiary of his platform from Brisbane Australia 🇦🇺

[@CharlieLavoie-hu9dr]

I'm a bit perplexed seeing him been mentioned here also Didn't know he has been good to so many people too this wonderful, I'm in my fifth trade with him and it has been super

[@chasecentario5308]

Took Oxy for back pain for 7 years. Dosage when I quit was 160 mg s a day. Used fentanyl patches to slowly detox over a 3 month period. Started at 45 mic patch for a month, then drop to 30 patch and Dope sick, then do a drop to a 15 mic patch , detox for the next month then Zero ! Clean now for 5 years.

[@illegallystalked3119]

I admire your determination, wish my nephew was strong as you.

[@chaphead91]

Well done for getting through that! I'm proud of you, keep going

[@IStaySt0n3d_OSRS]

your lucky they gave you the patch to help you detox

[@reidellis1988]

​@@IStaySt0n3d_OSRS Amen. He had a good doctor.

[@softshoedancer]

@@illegallystalked3119 its got absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with strength. You do your nephew a disservice talking like that.

[@matthewjordan7731]

I’m in early recovery but I was craving earlier and I needed to watch this to put things in perspective..my mom has picked me up enough from the hospital and she doesn’t need to bury her son.

[@diawesthues7504]

You sound like you are a very, very, sensible, thoughtful, and strong, person. You've got this! Prayers for you. 🙏

[@marai_anam]

Stay safe, safe strong, it gets better Matthew, you are stronger and more courageous than you realise. One day at a time, just for today brother.

[@hook-x6f]

Move to an area with no dope people or dope. That's how I got clean. The people around you are part of the problem.

[@matthewjordan7731]

@@hook-x6f I tend to agree but also to a certain extent I take myself with me< I moved from the Baltimore area to the Philly area to get clean and ended up running in Kensington...I then finally grew up and realized to have an actual fresh start with a real desire to get clean. Don't get it twisted I wanted to get clean every time I tried but I really had to dig deep

[@SR71GIRL]

I can promise you... that is a fact. It would be devastating if I lost a child to an overdose 💔 😔 😪 Prayers to all of you that have lost a loved one to these dangerous killer drugs. Please, don't give up!

[@madreep]

I lost my 24 year old daughter July 15, 2022. She chose fentanyl to take her life. She left a note. It has been incredibly difficult. I knew she battled depression but didn't know the extent of her drug addiction. I thought we talked about everything but I was wrong. I fear for my sons. I hope their sisters death has taught them a lesson I can't. My parents were addicts when I was growing up. I was open about it with my kids. I've tried pot but nothing else ever. I was honest about that. I talked to them often about drugs and how they destroy lives but my daughter was self medicating. My boys struggle with anxiety and depression as well (I believe it's hereditary) and I pray that they don't follow the same path but I trusted her and now I'm not sure I trust them. I hate this drug.

[@sophisticatedmm3632]

Sorry for your loss. This synthetic opioid is 50 to 100 times worse than Heroin.

[@haleyt3754]

I’m so sorry for your loss

[@louiscormier9641]

Madreep. My condolences and very sorry for your loss

[@arod1766]

Research MAPS institute. Psychedelics cure anxiety and depression

[@eveliinaniilivuo7329]

I’m so so sorry. That’s just heartbreaking, and I can’t imagine the fear you live with. The strenght you must have! So much love and support to whole your family!

[@mightymarsha]

And the part where they’re talking about being cold and the bathroom…. So so accurate. Once I left the extremely abusive relationship I was in and the toxic people in my life I was able to quit rather easily… no one wants to be an addict… they just don’t want to feel the pain in their lives

[@Karinesrecipe]

I'm a women in long term recovery. I was prescribed Fentanyl from 2002 to 2006 with piles if meds for " breakthrough pain". My story is entirely too complicated to put in a text but I wanted to say recovery is possible. I now work in a local inpatient rehab and like to think I'm a small part of the solution. I was so touched by this mother's realization of us not having a choice when we're in active addiction. Thankyou for sharing your painful insights. 🙏 No loss is in vein.

[@hiroshimiya55]

I'm proud of you for taking care of yourself and to help others.

[@sciencenotstigma9534]

@@dddayesq5061There are lawsuits pending. She should look into it! Same thing happened to me, at 19.

[@catman4242]

@D D Day esq Doctors all across the country were writing scripts like crazy for vicodin (hydrocodone) and Oxycontin (Oxycodone**The New Non Addictive Alternative" they called it. The FDA, DEA et all must not have known opiates were addictive. OR it was done on purpose. Funny these blue pills are Oxycontin 30 look alikes. Which a doctor wouldn't dare to prescribe nowadays. Except extreme cases.

[@littlelowa8720]

You are not alone

[@MyBelch]

Vain, not vein.

[@MiKeSaInT3000]

My addiction was progressive. Pills-Heroin-Fentanyl. I was arrested by DEA for trafficking in 2015. That time in jail was enough for me to see what I was doing to myself and my family. I've been clean since with the help of methadone and my life is the best it's ever been. I'm actually happy. Everyone in addiction is different but with a good support system, Medically Assisted Treatment, and the desire to better your life it IS possible to change in a way never imaginable. My thoughts and prayers go out for all those in addiction and to the family's who have lost loved ones.

[@jewelhaines8842]

Congratulations on being clean! That's awesome!! 😊

[@ElizabethF2222]

Congratulations on your sobriety. I feel for the ones that have lost their lives. I had one friend die in front of me, who we brought back with a shot of Narcan (in liquid form that I'd bought from a plug). I then lost two friends in the same month to an OD. It's devastating. I now carry Narcan on me at all times. They give it to me because I'm on Suboxone. I've been clean now for 16 years with Suboxone, and yes you and I ARE clean. I started with Methadone. We have replaced illegal narcotics with MAT. Once you have used opiates for many years, the neurotransmitters in your brain are damaged, sometimes permanently. That's why so many people relapse on opiates and need MAT because it's virtually impossible to quit opiates on your own. Your brain no longer has the ability to carry the natural dopamine "the feel good chemical" throughout your body so I after I quit opiates the first time, I never felt good for two solid years, not one day. I constantly craved my Oxy's and other opiates, heroin too. I had headaches, couldn't sleep and was nauseous daily. For two years!!! I finally found a good Sub doctor and will be on this the rest of my life. The first time he gave it to me, in 10 minutes I was a new person! I finally felt normal!!! I wasn't high though. It's just another regular medication, like Methadone. If you have high blood pressure, you take high blood pressure meds. You have the disease of addiction you take Methadone or Suboxone for that. You are taking a medication prescribed by a doctor, not in back alleys buying illegal shit anymore or going to jail or prison. Very proud of you. Keep up the good work, brother. Life is good!

[@jewelhaines8842]

@@ElizabethF2222 Thanks ❤️ I really appreciate your support! I'm grateful to have the support of my husband also. I hate when people try to tell me " GIRL, you're not REALLY clean"! 🙄 YES WE ARE!! 😊

[@ElizabethF2222]

@@jewelhaines8842 Don't listen to those people that tell you you aren't clean. They are dangerous. You ARE clean. You are taking a legal medication for a disease you have and you are no longer doing dope from the streets. That means you are clean!!!. Just like you would take insulin for diabetes. You are taking medication for opiate use disorder (I'm assuming here) and there's NOTHING wrong with it. Some of those people at NA are very judgmental and arrogant and they have actually caused a few people I know personally to relapse, OD and die, telling them they weren't clean because they were on Methadone. I was furious with those people!!! They could have been supportive but they were anything but!. I don't support those groups personally any longer. If you do that's fine. They have helped a ton of people, but certain groups, when I first started getting clean, I met my best connections at NA meetings. That's real stuff right there! Not bashing NA, just certain people IN the programs. My ex and I used together, then we got clean together, then he went back out and now after 20 years together, we are no longer together. You are very fortunate to have your husband. I've done it with the support of my mom, sister and daughter and a few friends that are clean and some that aren't. Some of my friends, we used together for 30 years (I'm in my 50s). It's very hard to drop friends when they are still using, but they were also friends before we used and I still consider them friends after I got clean, I just don't hang with them when they're using. I hope that makes sense. Well done. Proud of you!

[@jewelhaines8842]

@@ElizabethF2222 Hi Elizabeth!! Thank you so much for the support!! Yes, I'm taking 140 mg a day of methadone for opiate addiction. I used Heroin for 20 years. I've been clean for 10 years. Thank you so much, many people don't understand and are quick to judge!! Have a blessed weekend!❤

[@tamaralaber5010]

To all of you recovering or relapsing, addicted or clean, please don't ever lose hope. You're still a human being and you have worth in this world. That strength and hope comes from you. You want it bad enough, you can achieve it.

[@God_gave_His_Son_for_you]

kind words, blessed words

[@jeankeats3200]

What a lovely post, and very true.

[@brucegreen5781]

Lol what a bunch a of nasty vermin ⚪️🗑💩💊😂😵‍💫🥴😵

[@1115asmara]

For the lady who lost her daughter; I am sorry for the loss of your daughter. May the Almighty grant you solace.

[@ashleysharon2876]

Less than 3 days ago I found out a childhood friend of mine was found in a hotel room, and she was already gone. Shot up fentanyl and overdosed. I never judged her or made her feel like she was unwelcome. She was sick. Even through her addiction, she was so loving and caring and selfless. She is now my 6th friend, that has lost their life, to THIS particular drug, since 2022 began. It's true, the good ones always die young.

[@Idaknough]

Im sure you are a good one!! 🤣💚😍 for real!! Keep it up!!!💚❤️💚

[@ashleysharon2876]

@@Idaknough thank you!

[@pablitoperez9109]

Get out of the west Midwest. There I said it. I don’t even know you and there’s an over 50% chance yu live in those areas. Nothing about this is a coincidence.pay attention

[@ashleysharon2876]

@@pablitoperez9109 I live in Oklahoma. I have driven a few friends to rehab and even a few people that didn't have the will power to walk in on their own. Yes it's taken over with deadly force, but I can't turn my back on my community and be a spectator. If I can help, lend a ride, be a listening ear, I will do whatever I can to keep hope in Oklahoma.

[@sentryogmixmaster]

i can see that...

[@shawnaellcey6970]

I think those who were interviewed- were very brave. They did a good thing by telling their true stories.

[@uprightape100]

Thank you so much to all who worked on this report.

[@CMoore8539]

As an addict in recovery I think that addicts start viewing drugs like food and water. When someone is addicted it honestly feels like they are going to die if they don’t get the next drug. Our pharmaceutical companies knew that opiates would do that to a person. Drug addiction is Horrible! Even when a person finds recovery it’s a hard battle to keep it. Addiction is a lifelong problem. It’s very very difficult.

[@EatingWithEssence]

I can't explain how thought-provoking this documentary was. I'm not a user but Fentanyl has changed my life in ways I would never want for anyone. Now I know who are key players in St. Louis supporting people who are trying to release this hold over their lives. I just hope I can find the time to help and support these organizations. I'm rooting for everyone that is fighting addiction and praying for your strength. And thank you KMOV for shedding light on this daunting community problem! ❤

[@anon681]

I ask myself why Mexico doesnt have a problem with opiates aside maybe from the border states… they only distribute weed, coke/grillo n ❄️.

[@suzsnnesanders4742]

How is fentanyl dosed for severe pain like cancer patient, if just a little bit can know kill you

[@rhonnachurch6929]

Amen to all you said.

[@brandyrose9997]

One year, two months and 17 days clean today. Thank you for this excellent piece of work.

[@ToddAndelin]

Awesome! Keep going strong!

[@sharoneuby-62]

Congratulations 🎊 on your sobriety!! I'm so proud of you. Stay strong, you got this!!🫶🫶👊🙏🙏

[@InLoveWithaPaladin]

This was a great documentary!!!. As a Saint Louis resident, I tell my kids ,my stepkids, my nieces and nephews "never take a pill from anyone" I don't care if an aspirin, go buy some. This us scary. Rest in peace to my Cousin Kenneth aka Pooh. We lost him to this drug on June 18, 2018. I'll never forget you Pooh...never 😔

[@reneedennis2011]

I am so sorry 😞.

[@anon681]

Man up/ Wake up your paying peoples pockets, we get paid all the way from tierras calientes. You’re a slave to a substance, living selfishly but hey! pursue your “happiness” it’s your right! No face the FACTS and end the cycle.. withdrawals will end just don’t get on methadone withdrawals 10x worse but once you tapper stay solid

[@chaphead91]

RIP Pooh! Sending love and strength

[@AnimaLibera]

I am SO proud of these people that are turning their lives around. It must be so hard but it's SO worth it. I wish them all the best. God bless!

[@CommanderKlag]

Oh, turning their lives around. A perfect example of someone who did it two themselves! They HAD NO NEED. If they had, they would not be able to turn around without meds. Sometimes you body can be broken behond repair, requireing life long treatment for pain. What should we do? Let them die by street posion? Cut their meds of so they will commit suicide because they cannot live with the physical pain of their broken body? These people are not in the same category. THEY MUST HAVE THE MEDS TO SURVIVE, or they wither and die. Otherwise they may be a comfort to their family and grand childern. THEY STILL HAVE WORTH! Stop killing people who have a actual, real, valid need!

[@3mexhuas]

@@CommanderKlag No, they didn't do it to themselves. Most got addicted after a doctor prescribed them. Then after they get addicted the doctor cuts them off and they have to go to the street to get drugs to stop the intense suffering withdrawal brings on. Blame the doctors and drug making companies for they are the ones who originally gave them the addictive meds. If they hadn't, most never would have become addicted. Just wondering if you smoke cigarettes, drink too much alcohol, eat more food than you need and are overweight, or in dept because you spent more than you could afford. I don't suppose you're guilty of any of these because, oh, you're perfect. Careful you don't get bucked off your high horse because bud you have a very far fall to the ground and you might get hurt, get a few pain killers from your doc, and then become an addict. Wow, wouldn't that be something?

[@sevenmilewhite1407]

I'm 40 years old. 21 years spent as an i.v. heroin and fentynl addict. Crack cocaine for a lot of that time too. I've got hep c, and suffered overdoses, repeated absesses, and other addiction related illnesses. 26x in rehab, 10x on suboxone, 6x on methadone and still can't seem to stop. Please. Don't try this stuff. It'll ruin YOUR and everyone you loves life.

[@enochpage1333]

Bless you, for no matter your situation, you shall always be a child of God!

[@hellojewels9371]

I am so sorry 😢😢

[@joeyxl3456]

You got to stop. Or it will stop you. Get away from it forever my man.

[@lisaperry5999]

SevenMile White why are you unable to stop? I used fentanyl, oxys over 10 years. Used suboxone and my last use was 4-12-13 Man you know what to do you just gotta do it. Get away from places and people is a start. Have you tried Methodone?

[@emperorpatrisia5771]

I’m being bad cop here but the comment below is spot on. It’s not that you can’t, it’s that you won’t.

[@susiemaxwell1593]

You are not reporting on the number of first-time usage deaths. This piece is pointed at drug addicts who are dying from fentanyl, but no mention of how fentanyl is killing young people who, through peer pressure at a party or taking an aspirin from a friend, have been poisoned to death by fentanyl. No mention of the fact that if these young folks had known there was fentanyl involved, would never have made a bad decision. Let’s be clear on this topic. Death by fentanyl is murder. If someone puts arsenic in your food without your knowledge, you consume the food and die, the provider of the poison is charged with murder. This is the same situation; it is murder. Call it what it is. Cover the side of the non-addicts as well, to be fair. It is not just killing addicts. Children used to live and learn from their mistakes; but that has changed.

[@talonmadc]

I knew a girl from st Charles who was really cool and not a crazy drug user get a counteriet percocet and died immediately

[@nigeh5326]

The Sackler family should be in jail for their crimes but they aren’t because money is power in the US and other countries.

[@suzyqualcast6269]

@@talonmadc This is what is frightening, when even what one recognises as their known gear, real/black market, in fact has been polluted with this crap. Way its going nothing will be safe to take.

[@feebaby]

I agree. The music industry needs to be held accountable for promoting this mess as a “cool” thing to do.

[@tbaxter07]

I 100% get what your saying, but they did talk about people who died trying something for the first time that happened to be laced with fent. It wasn't the main focus of this documentary, but they absolutely did talk about it a couple times. They also talked about children dying from using fent when they thought they were using something else. This doc was made to address the fentnaly crisis and the addiction crisis in the country (but mainly St. Loius), and they did mention what you are talking about. But if you want an entire documentary focused on first time users dying, we'll thats simply a different focus for another documentary. If they delved deep into every aspect of everything fentanyl, this film would be hours and hours long.

[@LetsBeCivilShallWe]

I had to be taught proper handling, dosage, and how to store the drugs in a lockbox, for my mothers fentanyl, while she had multiple cancers 20 years ago. It never occurred to me that that scary powerful drug would be in the hands of the masses. Yet last week my sister pulled over on a roadside to help an otherwise healthy 28-year-old who overdosed on fentanyl on the way to court. It took four doses of Narcan to reverse his overdose. It’s clear that our politicians need to stop thinking of this issue as a moral/upbringing defect, but for what it is, a medical/mental/societal issue, that we use evidence-based science to address.

[@briarrose29]

Government wants to be God to us, so they undermine faith in God in society. Religions have let people down. This created a perfect storm of people with no hope and no social structure to support them in the pursuit of doing the right thing.

[@l.ronhubbard5445]

It's time to KILL the Drug War. Accept nothing less than the complete destruction of this cancer on our country. Drug addiction is not a moral flaw nor is it a crime. Drug addicts don't deserve prison. These people are our friends and family. They are US

[@erikasanchez7972]

Hate to tell you but this is by design, just as so many other atrocities against humanity.

[@erismana2105]

And now people who need such pain meds are being denied because others poor choices

[@meyou245]

@@erismana2105 100% Correct. Had shoulder replacement surgery and they told me they were going to prescribe 1 day of vicodin and then wanted me to switch to tylenol. Said they didn't want me to become addicted. (Addicted to what, not having excruciating pain?)

[@timspooner59]

My heart goes out to their parents.

[@JustFun-ze5pk]

Wonderful documentary! I live in St. Louis and I feel this is going to make a difference because you provided actual examples that work. I would like to thank all those who worked on this production and to those who told their stories! You have provided useful education and hope! God bless you!

[@marianesanchez9908]

We need a president that care and invests our taxes to save lives not over seas he's pure evil and end homelessness they are humans they need hope

[@sciencenotstigma9534]

Yes! I’m in the recovery field, and it’s one of my favorites.

[@joeblow9548]

Your very naive

[@joeblow9548]

@@marianesanchez9908 you had one they got rid of him

[@sciencenotstigma9534]

@@joeblow9548 Maybe you’re cynical. 🤷‍♀️

[@7791D]

74 days clean from fent today the only way to get clean was to get outta St Louis and come down to Florida every time I go back to STL and see the arch I get high I just can't stop I finally got on subs so I wouldn't drive back to St Louis and buy drugs. I miss St Louis I hope everyone gets clean back there.

[@terminalvelocity1412]

Congratulations Floridaman! ODAT! Good luck sir, on your future.

[@7791D]

@@terminalvelocity1412 thanks I appreciate it. I'm finally living my life and working again being a productive member of society. Not craving to get high all day. Being on subs really helps me live my life. Again thanks I appreciate your comment.

[@NeliaCaranzo]

Been sober since April 25 2010 congratulations it gets better one day at a time

[@7791D]

@@NeliaCaranzo thanks if it wasn't for subs it wouldn't be easy probably would have relapsed by now.

[@lamalover239]

no matter where you go you bring yourself and habits along ive ran state to state thinking it would get better but only to find myself in the same situations with new people im currently fighting to get sober i live in naples fl and the problem is so bad here

[@TroubledOnePaydirt]

That woman talking about her daughter being clean while she was in jail and then overdosing, really hit close to home. I personally have 7 friends that died the day of or the day after being released from jail. They don’t understand that their tolerance has bottomed out while being locked up and clean. Then they go to use the amount they used to take, and it’s too much. I’ve lost over 30 friends/acquaintances/family members to overdoses. It really is an epidemic.

[@TroubledOnePaydirt]

@Rosa Petals I was a criminal the first 30 years of my life. Criminals tend to have criminal and drug addict friends. Now, they’re all dead and I’m an old retired ex criminal. Been clean off pain pills four and a half years and changed my life. I don’t need “new friends”, I’d rather just have my old friends back, like from before we all fucked our lives up. But, what can ya do… ya know? It is what it is.

[@danamissouri]

@@TroubledOnePaydirt People who haven't grown up with criminals, drug users, etc, will never understand those of us who did. I miss so many of my old friends....so much so, that I barely even listen to music anymore because it brings up memories of them that I can hardly bear. I have been clean 30 years, but I lost so many to this and that. I miss them terribly because, despite their demons, they were some of the most loving, caring and funny people I knew.

[@LolaAndretti]

@rosapetals8413 Well, since we're discussing what people need...seems, you need some emotional intelligence education and to cease judging others' friendship circles and / or life paths.

[@teekolinski491]

@Rosa Petals i never grew up around crime, drugs, or any of that stuff but ended up losing friends and my first husband to this epidemic. It really is reaching all walks of life & all social classes. Ive never seen anything like it before

[@mbcornelison74]

That’s right, criminalizing drug users and coercion to treatment heightens the risk of overdosing.

[@charliee5970]

Something that needs to be spoken about more in addiction recovery is the role of many many families in addiction. So many families that we deem "healthy" from the outside are incredibly manipulative and tormenting on the inside. This puts immense pressure on an individual and creates the emptiness and shame in them that creates the desire to look for something to escape all that. We need to hold families accountable along with the addicts. Some families cannot be reasoned with but some I believe you can show them the facts and how to better interact with their family members and show true love and support. That will significantly more created an environment where individuals can heal compared to recovery programs.

[@hapilee5844]

This problem is frustrating for the rest of society that does not have an addiction and legitimately needs pain medication. Rheumatoid diseases like lupus, RA and MS etc.. Doctors are now afraid to prescribe anything... Go take a hike!! Legalize all drugs and offer mental health services to those in need. Enough is enough.

[@pursedelighted8313]

👏👏👏👏

[@BacDaFukUp4life]

the extremes of just getting motrin 600mg refilled is absolutely ridiculous. not saying it truly works but on going pain....really? the other extreme is the oil, tried several different combinations, too costly and i'm not a test dummy.

[@jjcoola998]

This is why legalization and regulation are so important .. almost all crimes addicts commit are due to the obscene prices the black market puts on drugs whereas if government regulated companies created it in bulk could make it very cheap so addicts wouldn’t have to steal from their family and neighbors and could focus on their problems

[@FactStorm]

Exactly.

[@bigcws4522]

Totally agree! People that need it for acute pain should not have to suffer because we have people dying from addiction. It all boils down to bad choices and sometimes people and their family suffer from it. I feel for the people addicted and their families. Addiction has no face or color. We need to take the people off the street pushing these illegal drugs in our city and our community. These criminals are not getting scripts filled to sell to people! They are illegally obtained from Mexico and China. Let's start there. Prayers for strength and recovery for those who fight this disease every day!

[@kinte1870]

I've smoked Marijuana for 28 years and not once did it make me want to do hard-core drugs or try something else for a bigger better high.

[@TheLuciusLeftfoot]

Weed is a gateway....to my refrigerator!

[@kinte1870]

@@TheLuciusLeftfoot And a good night of sleep

[@Carmen-us1ew]

I knew people that was addicted to marijuana and they'd be irritated and agitated until they got high. I've smoked but never needed it. They were annoying. I'm not saying you're addicted, but it does happen.

[@kinte1870]

@@Carmen-us1ew oh I'm addicted to it but I've never wanted anything else. Never been a gateway to hard drugs . Just nice and relaxing.

[@Yassss-rj9zf]

@@TheLuciusLeftfoot 🍕🥘🥤 🤣🤣😂🤣

[@CMoore8539]

It’s going to get worse until society learns that addicts are in tremendous pain.💔

[@CommanderKlag]

They need to make Methadone clinics more avaliable to everyone. Rual people have no treatment option eventhough they would select that option.

[@mirjamweibel9678]

@@CommanderKlagbut its not the Same. Methadone Dont give the Same Cozy, warm, peaceful, loving feeling like h. And fenty

[@grasmi]

Super easy to solve this problem if there is the will. Go to Singapore and see how they deal with it. No issues with drug addiction there.

[@ЕкатеринаАнатольевна-л8у]

​@@grasmiAgreed..

[@ЕкатеринаАнатольевна-л8у]

​@@grasmiThis is genocide..

[@Missdee67]

Hugs to the parents who lost their babies. I carry Narcan so I can save someone’s son or daughter if needed. We need to see the person not the addict. It can get anyone. 💔

[@MidWestLife2022]

That's gonna be a life saver for some. However for my son, 3 rounds of narcan didnt even phase him. God bless you for carrying it with you tho, no parent should experience this type of loss or pain.

[@Desaree1]

@BillyBob obviously you don't

[@MelissaR784]

@BillyBob This is true and even when the addict doesn't commit crimes, they're still shunned and looked down on by society.

[@fah232]

This is one of the biggest problems when it comes to people getting help. They are looked at and judged for being an addict, they are not seen as people. Thank you for that point.

[@reneeoleari]

That's really compassionate. Thank you for doing that. 🕶🌹

[@amybostic1439]

Meanwhile those of us who are legitimately sick for the remainder of their life struggle to obtain their prescription medications. It’s such a terrible situation that is deeply unfair for those who are in true need of opioids. I have been sick for 11 years and although I’ve been on opioids for the majority of that time, I have NEVER sought out medications off the street or ever used illicit drugs. Not every person who is on medication that’s prescribed by doctors are looking for heroin or other ways to get high. When you have been on these meds for so long you don’t get high-but to live any type of functional life, you have so much pain, you have to have them to be able to have a life. It’s so frustrating that every person in this situation is pigeonholed into one category

[@shealynheritage6839]

Amy right there with you 2 formats of arthritis and fibromyalgia so I constently hurting even w my legit script that i take correct and don't need have or want to purchase off the streets.. what isn't told is that most of us that do get legit meds only get enough to attempt to quill some pain not all.

[@movmentztv5189]

@@shealynheritage6839 So true! As someone who has a legit script i turned to the fet because it was literally 1 4th of the price, and my doc wouldn't up my script amount after being on them for multiple years

[@Ogrealest74]

Weak minded addicts and iv junkies with no self control messed it up for the patient that truly needs it to get through the day without being in horrible pain half these people really started their addiction by going to the pill mills back in the day and lied because they wanted to get high whether or not they want to admit it just the plain and simple facts sad situation we’re in

[@markpalavosvrahotes5575]

@@Ogrealest74That’s why all drugs need to be legalized.

[@georgionw6554]

Very true but fact is most of us addicted to fentanyl and buying off the street started when a doctor prescribed us pills. Docs gave me unlimited perc 5s for 6 months when I was 17.

[@gopensstl]

Really Really well done. Was educational to hear how Fentanyl is leeching into so many areas of the street drug market, had no idea. Hearing the first hand experiences of the addicts was eye opening.

[@micheleploeser7720]

Then you must be living in a cave !!

[@bvegannow1936]

Legalize drugs. Their body their choice. Ban mandatory treatment. When alcohol was legalized, violent alcohol cartels went away. Many sell drugs cuz it pays better than many legal jobs. Making something illegal raises price. Gov makes it too hard to make $ legally via exsessive regs/taxes. Illegal drug dealers often dont go to cops for help cuz they dont wana get in trouble for drugs, they sometimes resort to "street justice"/violence. If u want people to stop drugs, help them get better ways to get happy/$. Gov cant convince someone to stop illegal drugs when gov tax funds force drugging people with phyc drugs that r more dangerous than many illegal drugs and act like drugs r the answer to be happy,

[@Carmen-us1ew]

@@micheleploeser7720 this person watched and learned something. Please be kind.

[@abes3925]

@D R The reason the US kept Afghanistan opium industry alive was because that was the only source of income for the entire country. Afghanistan doesn’t produce any goods or anything except opium. It’s a land locked country. If the US had destroyed the opium fields than many farmers and their employees would be out of work making them target for terroist groups to join them.

[@fernandapartridge5174]

@D R 🎯

[@Rumplesti1tskin]

This was a well-done doc. I’m glad they included addicts describing addiction maintenance - having to use every few hours just to stave off the sickness. It’s an unending nightmare of physical and psychological anguish. It’s impossible to understand unless you’ve been there, so it’s important they shared that to create a broader picture. The addiction is not just tearing apart your life and your loved ones’ lives, but it’s a physical horror show. It’s torture unless you have a fix. The drug and addiction ends up stealing your soul. Peace be with you all.

[@LolaAndretti]

Great documentary! Thanks to all for being candid, and I pray for your strength.

[@CommanderKlag]

They left out the most important group of people from this video, they never even mentioned that group.

[@dannyjomacowan6409]

Aww i feel for this woman . My little sister staci died almost 2 months ago she died from this horrible horrible drug.

[@fotkvinnan]

So sorry for your loss 😞

[@Yassss-rj9zf]

I’m so sorry 💔

[@FactStorm]

My condolences..I know nothing I say will change a thing but I hope these replies give you a brief light knowing people care and are sympathetic. Take care

[@flexthought7655]

😂😂🤣🤣

[@FactStorm]

@@flexthought7655 What's so funny?

[@aussierando9582]

I lost a very dear friend to heroin over 30 years ago, and I still grieve for him. I have 5 kids and have got 4 though the danger years and now still have a 15 year old to get through her teenage years not using drugs. And this is scary, we are a long way from being offered a joint at a party. This is a chance of death the first time it’s taken. I have been so open about drug use to my kids and I try to educate myself on new drugs on the streets( this is why I’m watching this ) so I can bring it up to my teenager to explain the danger.

[@kmlumd44]

I was abducted by ailerons 15 times and im so scared but i sleep with my phone and i can't hold down w job but idk what to do

[@kjarstimorrow5295]

8 years clean. 11/11/15 - heroin, few months before fentanyl hit the streets. May all those that are clean today live for all those we have lost. 💔❤️

[@Buffalo_Soulja]

I’m from STL, born and raised, and lived there until 2019, when my husband of 10 years overdosed in 2018. He’d been locked up for months, and was finally getting out of jail, but decided to detour to his brothers house and of course they got high. I never saw Darrin again after that, but his death served as an awakening for me. I know at least 10 people personally that have overdosed off the top of my head( both BLACK and WHITE), but there’s so many more!! Folks please wake up to this Epidemic; Our city and lives depends on it!!🙏🏾God Save STL!!

[@reneedennis2011]

I am so sorry 😞.

[@7791D]

I'm sorry to hear that also did u make it outta STL or u still back there?

[@MrJacob50]

Hello, are there any NA meetings out there??

[@gowdsake7103]

Your invisible sky daddy did NOTHING think about that ! Even worse if god is all knowing then your god killed your husband because it knew EXACTLY where and how he would die

[@jasonbarton6087]

Wow. Powerful local advocacy journalism. Truly enlightened perspective. Thank you to those responsible and everyone who appeared on camera, as well. Fantastic.

[@bvegannow1936]

Legalize drugs. Their body their choice. Ban mandatory treatment. When alcohol was legalized, violent alcohol cartels went away. Many sell drugs cuz it pays better than many legal jobs. Making something illegal raises price. Gov makes it too hard to make $ legally via exsessive regs/taxes. Illegal drug dealers often dont go to cops for help cuz they dont wana get in trouble for drugs, they sometimes resort to "street justice"/violence. If u want people to stop drugs, help them get better ways to get happy/$. Gov cant convince someone to stop illegal drugs when gov tax funds force drugging people with phyc drugs that r more dangerous than many illegal drugs and act like drugs r the answer to be happy,

[@jenniferdaulby5519]

My son has just returned from a business trip to the USA (Seattle) & was totally shocked & dismayed at seeing people lying on the sidewalls with a needle in their arms - but he said it was more awful to see others just step over them, like they were desensitised to it. Now it seems that Fentanyl is laced with benzodiazepines - which renders Narcan mostly ineffective. So sad. Best wishes from Australia 🇦🇺 ❤

[@weaponizedglitter69]

It's shocking. It's in almost every city. This country is being ruined by this scourge

[@denabeebe1888]

Xylazine… it’s a large animal tranquilizer… some is laced with benzos but most is xylazine

[@cassjagg]

Yeah it’s an epidemic I never in my life thought I’d know a soul on street drugs and sadly I now know many and so many taht gave up so much for This drug and meth it’s shocking and so sad No human being should have to live and suffer this way all due to big pharm and the doctors who pushed it they should all be in prison

[@richardwildlife88-wj6kl]

That's wild, I moved to Seattle in 2006 and lived there for a year and it was the cleanest, safest, best city that I ever experienced. I cant believe it!

[@richardwildlife88-wj6kl]

@AHD2105 Fentanyl is all over Australia, too.

[@melissa4455-j8c]

This was a good documentary..it spoke on various issues that needed to be addressed

[@Truthnowhere2020]

This is a fantastic piece of work. Everyone who dabbles in drugs should watch, along with those who shape public policy.

[@whateverchannel22]

Matt did an excellent job of reporting on this heartbreaking circumstance.

[@chadjackson772]

This was one of the best documentaries I've personally ever seen on opioid abuse! I see this as a beautiful thing to see in my opinion bcz there are so many uninformed and also misinformed on drug abuse as a whole. I feel as if everyone should watch and listen closely to everyone who has spoken in it bcz it gives us all a ton of information even if the individual isn't using and doesn't know anyone who's using opioids/drugs bcz there are addicts everywhere you go in St Louis and this information can help so many people and could even preserve and save lives here and in every city nation wide! There is so much good information and even places in it that many might not know about who live here in St Louis where I live. We need more awareness drawn to opioid addiction and prevention bcz so many are truly ignorant to just how hard and complicated that it really is for individuals to get clean from this epidemic that has flooded into are families throughout the country and even the world you know. God bless everyone in this video who is helping those who are helpless living in addiction and trying to help save lives....

[@robertshields8218]

Trump in office: Stopped illegal immigration. Biden in office: Stopped stopping illegal immigration + Chinese fentanyl pours over our southern border.

[@sirjames7800]

This documentry is one the best I've had watched. Very informative and very inspirational. Well put together. Thanks for uploading this great documentary!

[@2passportsandpostcards]

Yes, drugs are A HUGE PART of the problem. I want to see more information about educating people / young adults who TURN to drugs how to cope with their traumas and heal their childhoods, how to NOT turn to drugs to begin with. This is a far more deeply rooted problem than the abundance of, production and distribution of the drugs.

[@alicelong3613]

People also use substances because they’re bored

[@amandajaydexo]

Thank you for this documentary. From an addict in recovery, this means so much. I wish more people took the time to educate themselves. Addiction is such a rough spot to climb out of. And if someone doesn't have the support they need they may never be able to climb out.

[@chaphead91]

I completely agree with this, addiction is a disease!

[@Censored4UViaGoogle]

@@chaphead91 sure seems like it. I’m a third generation opiate addict

[@CommanderKlag]

Yes, I agree, People who donot have a need have robbed the real people who have life long debilitating injuries from getting the medication they need to live. Their very careful never to mention that group. Thats where they lose the argument. Some people actualy need the medication for life because their body has been very badly damaged dude to accedents etc. But you'll never here about that group, it's one sided. Their was one man who was shot in this video, but for some reason, he seemed to be functioning. Others are not so lucky, you'll never see that group without medication, because it would cause trouble for the people who are trying to go on and get them in the grave.

[@amandajaydexo]

@@CommanderKlag Unfortunately, with the way out government has gone about addiction, the people who truly need pain medication are the ones who are hurting the most. I'm so sorry that you're suffering due to what's happening with the opioid problem & how it's been handled.

[@tamaralaber5010]

I'm so thankful and proud of being 3 years clean from a 10 year opiate addiction. I refused to used another drug to withdraw from, so I did it the hard way.

[@jeankeats3200]

Wow, that's great.

[@margotchanning1822]

Good for u!!!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@JohnWick-ke7gx]

Well documented. Thank you for your brilliant piece of journalism.

[@mikebubnis3223]

I’ve been clean for just over 30 days. It took my man getting locked up to quit. I did it on my own. He did it too…from jail. He’s still in there and I’m hoping he comes out with a new outlook on life ready to live sober with me. I’m nervous for him to get out. I just have to stay strong. We have four kids together, a mortgage and a car payment. We held it down for a while but shit spin out of control in the blink of an eye. Luckily we have amazing family, but after 11 years of fighting pill, heroin, fentanyl addiction…this is the time for me. I can’t speak for him, I can only pray for him. But I can’t be with him if he can’t maintain his sobriety. He had a track record of a whole two months sober and after two months it’s usually over for him. He died in my arms and three Narcan shots didn’t wake him up. They finally by gods mercy woke him up…but they released him from hospital after four hours and he was using again in 5. I just pray I don’t have to break my family up because of this. I need prayers for strength in myself and him because we are so codependent and with the drugs it’s so toxic. Please pray for us. That we can stay sober. I know what I want but he can’t bring it here in front of me. And every time I relapsed it was because he had a “surprise” for me and my weakness is always going to be him….and fetty. Please pray

[@rachellebrown9830]

You got this! Keep strong and keep going!

[@sookie4195]

Do it for your children.

[@beckyraskin3280]

God bless you. Know that love from spirit - the angelic realm - is ALWAYS with you. This is true for ALL of god's creatures.

[@stj971]

China...the great destroyer...I'm sure our govt in cahoots.

[@TruthhTalkk]

Disappear and start over trust me.

[@bigbrad6828]

I was on morphine in the hospital and the instant it went in my body I understood how people can get addicted. I can’t imagine how much worse fentanyl is.

[@MrReymoclif714]

Morphine Sulfate=Warm pillows smothering your senses!

[@racheldoesacrylic4089]

@@MrReymoclif714 yeah i still remember my first smoke of heroin i felt soo good then morphine sulphate tabs / me and my partner of 28yrs were addicted together /but he used to get so constipated he literally was getting poo smells from his mouth that's why he went to heroin to alternate so he could have a sht he was bed bound most of the time , / he died in 2012 from pneumonia ,i woke up he was dead ,broke my heart /now i am on Subutex 2ml for the last 12 yrs ,i started at 12ml ,and every time my drug councillor wants to put me in a detox im like no no no i know what i got comming , i feel shit enough most days being so low dose ,i feel like i cant handle the last hurdle just yet got way too many people relying on me to take care of them ,my mother is 87yrs old going blind and deaf /hard work when you have no one to love you like your partner did xxx

[@frankwaters4552]

Stop the lie. Been sober 17 years. I liked getting high. I didn't like what drugs and alcohol did to me, but I loved what it did for me. I had to stop being a victim .I was a active participant in my addiction.

[@4knewt505]

Congratulations on your sobriety. Could you give more info on what you mean, stop the lie?

[@vicvic2081]

Fentanyl is 100x worse than any drug u did in the past

[@daves2552]

Yep. I lived for the feeling I got. Looked forward to the next dose. I got myself addicted. I had to get myself clean. Until there is personal responsibility it will never stop. It’s not the dr,the injury or the past trauma. It’s a choice you make. Choose not to use. It’s hell going clean,but worth it.

[@pearladams4817]

I am glad for you Frank.

[@pearladams4817]

@@4knewt505 What I believe he means is that people should take responsibility for their actions. Addiction is a process. Someone has to willingly take illicit and destructive substances before it becomes an addiction.

[@danoconti8615]

I'll have 2 years clean and sober on 3/10/2023.#wedorecover and I started doing drugs at 13 didn't stop till 49.ive had a very rough road but God has a plan for me he put me through all that to be able to help anyone that really wants to change

[@jewelhaines8842]

I've been on methadone for 10 years. I got off Heroin before the Fentanyl crisis hit. I'm so sad to see these people dying so quickly.i pray for All who are addicted. ❤

[@David-og7di]

Me also. Methadone for a long time but fent is starting to show up in my remote country. I am not looking forward to seeing another generation heading for massive methadone doses to cover this crap.

[@jewelhaines8842]

@@David-og7di Yes, I know. It's terrible. I thought Heroin was awful, this Fentanyl is WAY worse!! 😩 Where do you live??

[@kevinvassago]

I'm on kratom, it literally saved my life. Luckily for me chi town's one of the last places in the country where u can still get dope not laced w/fent, but I still bought it sometimes cuz it was easier to get. I'm so grateful I'm not in that struggle anymore. Lucky for me when the pandemic first hit hard, I spent a few days not being able to buy anything, so I decided to just ride thru the withdrawals, bought some kratom and haven't looked back since. My friends always ask me when im getting off the kratom, but they dont understand, ll take whatever I need to for the rest of my fuqqing life just to nvr go thru that battle again. I've really turned my life around and went to school and have a job helping ppl that I absolutely love. I'll never go back to that daily struggle

[@welzkelz8691]

I'm 12 years on methadone and luckily I live in the UK where crystal meth and fentanyl are rare to find. We have seen how these drugs have affected the USA and Canada. Heroin is such poor quality that it's easier to stay clean! The killer in my town is cocaine that most people are injecting now and fake pills that are supposed to be valium or Xanax but are full of anything and everything. The pills are more dangerous than smoking heroin or cocaine! My worker lost 12 clients in a couple of months to fake pills. It's russian roulette definitely. All the best and if you can't be good be careful! K💌🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@jewelhaines8842]

@@kevinvassago That's fantastic!! I'm really happy for you!! 🥰

[@Genxgurl]

This video should be required viewing for high schoolers and parents. Condolences to all who have lost loved ones. ❤️

[@cassjagg]

Yea and colleges especially the social welfare programs

[@chaphead91]

This quote from this documentary really stuck with me - "Most of the time drugs are not the problem. Drugs are a solution to a different problem". As a society we need to stop looking at drug users and addicts as bad people. As said in this film, people who face substance abuse disorder aren't bad. They don't have the coping skills to deal with the challenges life brings. Addiction is truly a disease

[@janahicks1477]

Just like alcoholism

[@Censored4UViaGoogle]

Had a 20 year history with opiates. When I first started using Fetty was hard to find. You basically had to know someone who had a prescription and would sell you a patch. Now it’s everywhere. I’m glad I started a treatment center on methadone. It’s not perfect but the 40mg’s keeps me from seeking and living close to a normal life. Prayers and positive vibes to everyone struggling

[@annablant7778]

Wow... Thanks to the producers and all those guys for being so brave and sharing their experiences... Hope they all recover 🙏💜💜💜🙏 Especially, when the comments prove that everything is possible...

[@CommanderKlag]

Yes, me to, but some people need medication for the rest of their life because of bad injurys from car wrecks etc. Junkies have taken it away from them because now no one can get pain meds. Thats why the some orgs. are is pushing programs kinda like MAIDS etc. I heard, so easier to kill (cause indirect death etc.) people with a life long injurys. I don't know if this is true, It was mispoken by vise-president Harris. However some think she was talking to both groups. And if you look at all the Doors of Death around the world it seems plausable, like you said "everything is possible..."

[@user-op3yd5gi9p]

Lost my step son to this drug mid last year! we are still feeling the affects of his void! Sad world where no one knows how to handle pain loss and despair! We have evolved dependent on social media searching for pleasures (avoiding pain) instead of purpose. Praying for those in this situation trying to recover and heal! 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@Loriann4444]

Lost my Son to fentanyl overdose two years ago. Life is horrible now. I cry everyday God I miss my son. Please get help if your addicted. I pray for addicts everynight and pray for all parents living this hell.

[@SkunkApeMeg]

This was extremely well done. A fantastic documentary.

[@johnmay1773]

i am fighting this as well a 30yr prescription addiction ten yrs herion and fetty almost 2 weeks now no methadone this gives me inspiration so much just sufferring thru one day at a time have wanted to give up and end it all but i see there is hope and i am going to get in with more people who will show they care cause seems lk few do thank you

[@zdulski40]

It's almost over andys

[@carmenl163]

Don't give up, you are not alone in this. I am lowering my prescription painkillers (Oxy) right now and I've made it through another hour again. We WILL CONQUER this!! I keep telling this to myself as a kind of mantra. 5-year addiction but not anymore. I WILL CONQUER THIS.

[@johnmay1773]

@@carmenl163 i am posative you will achieve success just dont substitute with methadone as i did to get off fetty i never been so deathly ill from the methadone withdrawal cold turkey you are going to make it one day at a time.

[@amandarickert7789]

Why is it that every single documentary about Fentanyl says the city they're talking about is the epicenter of the Fentanyl crisis. It can't be in Dayton Ohio, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Portland Oregon Seattle and New York city too so why don't they just say everywhere is messed up and no city is worse than the next we all need help!!

[@7791D]

They said STL is the worst in Missouri not in the whole country.

[@Buffalo_Soulja]

Have you been to my city?? Then shush, cause you have NO idea!!

[@DNSGHOST]

St.louis is ranked as top in the nation for fentanyl distribution it is the epicenter literally the Mexican cartels traffic it from suburb stash houses on our side of the border and trafficked to different states and cities by highways. Highway 70 is convenient to get to Chicago and eastern and southern states like Florida and New York we have an interstate that runs parallel to many states and cities, saint Louis is literally in the middle of America the heart, if you look up 2021 and 2022 DEA drug busts in STL you will be blown away, the drug enforcement agency started operation wavebreaker recently to 'try to' combat the influx of fentanyl being trafficked through and distributed in saint Louis.

[@7791D]

@@DNSGHOST I wouldn't say it's top in the nation. But if that's your opinion then run with it. But Atlanta is definitely the biggest drug hub in America. Not St Louis.

[@FeonaFerrall]

I recently lost my only friend to a fentanyl overdose. Her addiction lasted 40 years. She assumed, because I never allowed myself to become addicted to anything, that I just didn't have an addictive personality...but it wasn't that. Education is the key and priorities are the keyholes. She became addicted after a failed, abusive marriage, she ended up losing her 2 children to the state. I too had a failed, abusive marriage but my children always came first, and I wasn't going to trade them off for an early grave. That's where the education part comes in. I hate to say this but my friend's death due to a fentanyl overdose was actually just her humanely euthanizing herself. Years of drug abuse riddled her body with diseases and if she wasn't in pain when she first started using and abusing pain medicines, she most certainly was in a lot of pain by the time she died from using and abusing pain medicines.

[@merricat3025]

Sad

[@FeonaFerrall]

It is sad. I have been very saddened by it for the last seven months. What's even sadder is the fact that she was the last of a long line of friends of who's friendship I had to, one by one, "kill" as an indirect fatality of the war on drugs; a whole, new can of worms that I wouldn't be able to detail in one comment, it goes waaaay back. With that said, I'm an old hippie chick from the 70s, it happened back then with the cocaine and acid. My friends back then went from drinking a little booze ( which was legal at age 21), at the most smoking a little weed that gave them the giggles and the munchies at the most, to hallucinating on acid and cocaining it for days at a time. I didn't follow in line back then , or 40 years ago when pharmaceuticals (the 'legal' drug) came into play. They use to call it "the poor man's coke) ....let that sink in a minute. I hate that my long life of disappointments has made me somewhat, insensitive. I hate that, in my lifetime, what started out as hope for ailing people like back when the natives rubbed ragweed on minor cuts, to one of the most prolific industries in the world. Think about that for a minute. Best of luck and I'm sorry if I offended anyone. God Bless.

[@God_gave_His_Son_for_you]

​@@FeonaFerrall I am sad to hear of the loss of your dear friend. I have lost a few friends and many acquaintances to opioids also. I like your statement: "Education is the key and priorities are the keyholes." If you ever have time can you explain it a little more in detail?

[@FeonaFerrall]

@@God_gave_His_Son_for_you so - the UNITE program (a drug awareness program) that was "taught" to the children in my area at a young age, was actually those student's (young children's) first exposure to illicit drugs. It focused mainly on the fact that street drugs are illegal and will land you in jail. They showed films of teenagers "getting high". Children/teenagers go through stages and often becomes rebellious which usually stems from natural, normal development, and what rebellious teenager wouldn't want to be rebellious by doing something against the law? That is possibly what has been happening to 'generation O', ( my title for the victims of the 'opioid era'). I believe they ended the UNITE program. I'm not for sure, I no longer keep up with it as my children are now grown. But I'm sure they are still showing and telling the children things about "getting high".

[@danamissouri]

@@FeonaFerrall I'm so sorry for your losses.

[@MichaelAguilar-rm8uj]

After a car accident and many surgeries to try and repair the damage I began a 12 year run on pain management that evolved to fentanyl. It was one of the biggest battles I’ve ever had to fight, to stay alive… It was a terrible evolution and downward spiral that finally came to an end with me checking into a rehab and now…. So thankful I did… to be able to see LIFE without the clouded eyes of a desperate addict is priceless and gave me a whole new appreciation for life. I hope those struggling can find a way to get free of their addictions.

[@kam9543]

I was addicted to pain pills and I am so glad I got away from all of that before fake pressed fent pills came around. That mess is terrifying.

[@brucepedersen4032]

Prohibition doesn't work. People and families suffer around the world. We need a courageous Politician.

[@Noonesbusiness408]

...you could be the courageous politician we need.

[@brucepedersen4032]

@@Noonesbusiness408 thanks Alana, maybe a lame duck president and senators. How did america do it with Prohibition ?

[@JustFun-ze5pk]

We had one. President Trump made a huge effort to fight China with great success. He had a team fighting to get rid of fentanyl.

[@gowdsake7103]

UMMM no its only a problem in yankee doodle land

[@brucepedersen4032]

@@gowdsake7103 hey gowd did you hear about mexican news ?

[@marisaveeb]

My brother is a nurse in South Africa. He told me that fentanyl isn't even locked away with the highest schedule medication in the hospitals here. God, I hope this pandemic doesn't reach our country

[@kimkelly5512]

My only child relapsed in his drug problem, and died from mth laced with fentanyl. This is a horror that I never would wish on any parent.

[@fumyea79]

I'm currently perscribed 30Mg codeine painkillers and I have had them for about 2 months now. I notice a dependence building up and I am afraid of what will happen. I have so much pain that the thought of not taking my pain medicine is unthinkable. I don't think I will ever turn to the streets, but I can see how people would do that after so long of taking these pills. Man it's rough.

[@michellecardenas6072]

Please make sure you start to ween yourself down s d/or takw days off (preferrably on an day u can relax) in order to keep your body from fully becoming dependant cuznit makes it wayy harder to get 100% off if u don't use sparingly. God luck and bless

[@fumyea79]

@@michellecardenas6072 Thank you for the advice God bless you 🙏

[@roeleo6792]

I also have to take pain medication, because of fibromyalgia. It stinks. Pain meds make it more tolerable.

[@mattb9054]

When I was 23 someone who I thought was a friend tricked me into snorting fentynal, saying it was cocaine. I never touched opioids I was always against people who took pain pills or did heroin, I thought it was disgusting. I was imidiatly hooked, and a few days later when he told me it was dope and that he was selling the shit I was mad, but like it felt so good I didn't even care I just wanted more. I used it for 6 years before getting clean, and still to this day I'm on suboxone as a reprecussion of those actions. Please get fentynal test kits, if you use any drug that is a white powder in a baggy, cocaine, methamphetamine, Molly, Ketamine, whatever, always test your drugs make sure it's what your dealer says it is because if you accidently snort fentynal it could be your last day on earth no joke, I'm lucky to be alive please take it from me that crap is a fucking nightmare

[@vicvic2081]

Wtf what friend is that... I bet that's how they get people to sexual favors for them as well

[@gowdsake7103]

I was always against people who took pain pills honestly? Yet you were so fucking conceited to think snorting coke is OK ? shakes head

[@jerrymylove1754]

Don’t refer to that person as a friend. He was a piece of shit that deserves a bullet in the chest for that. They ruined your life. Now you’re stuck picking up the pieces.

[@futuremelina]

Test drugs and risk it....or just don't do drugs? Society is doomed

[@greg9069]

Yea sad story sorry that happened to you, but you can’t demonize 1 schedule 2 drug more so than another schedule 2 drug. How are you now?

[@beatrixbrennan1545]

My paraplegic friend thought she was taking an oxy but it was laced with fentynol . She died in front of the nurse who was cleaning her room. Luckily the nurse performed cpr and called an ambulance.. she was dead for 28 minutes but luckily came back to life! If she didn't live in an assisted living place, she would've been long gone

[@theirmom4723]

Being in assisted living, I have to ask: Where did she get this pill?

[@beatrixbrennan1545]

@@theirmom4723 she got the pill from another resident

[@theirmom4723]

@@beatrixbrennan1545 Goodness, patients aren't even safe in residential environments. Sorry for you loss.

[@beatrixbrennan1545]

@@theirmom4723 my friend didn't die. She was revived after 28 minutes

[@theirmom4723]

@@beatrixbrennan1545 Yes..I see that now...I apologize for the mix up in stories. I am glad she survived but 28 minutes is a long time. I am glad she is still alive.

[@angelreed6182]

I feel so much for these Moms. I have a daughter & granddaughter doing this. I am always waiting for that phone call. I have actually talked to my daughter about it and ask her if she knew how dangerous it was and she said yes she did. I said, do you know how easy it would be for you to overdose and she told me that it’s OK. I have my Narcan. I said well what happens if nobody’s there to administer it to you. She says well then I guess I’ll be dead. She did have childhood trauma from when she went to stay with her dad and her stepmom, abused, her psychologically and some physical.

[@Kissy-Suzuki]

I believe that the initial reason this happened was due to the fact that doctors, hospitals, and clinics would NOT prescribe pain killers to people in the first place. I can tell you countless times that i've gone to the ER or my doctor for pain killers and was denied, And had i been the type of person who would turn to street drugs, Then i too would be in this same place at one point or another!

[@corvettedm1]

Exactly right. I suffer from spinal stenosis, trigeminal neuralgia, and headaches. Now I’m 71 and I cannot even get the same medicine for migraines that I had used for years!

[@reignmund7584]

I remember when I started opioids it was black tar in 2013 and it was bad but nothing like the damage fentanyl has done, I really hope something is done about this because the future looks grim.

[@merkcityboy834]

Black tar is gross especially shooting it all the vinegar you miss a shot you’ll know it feteynal you can skin pop it an be A-1

[@suzyqualcast6269]

But WHY are they adding Fent to amfet, or e, ffksk ¿?

[@eevee3555]

@@suzyqualcast6269 Because the more you demonize the substance, it pushes it further into the black market. Fentanyl is an attractive next option, because you need much less of it, and so it's easier to transport, but harder to sell and do safely. In truth if we flooded the streets with black tar heroin, deaths would drop dramatically. It's time for a common sense approach cuz the war on drugs has failed.

[@Carmen-us1ew]

@@suzyqualcast6269 I think it makes a faster, stronger addiction. It definitely keeps people coming back. Plus it's easier and cheaper to make. More product=more money. Drug dealers don't care if they kill someone, there's always another around the corner. 😢

[@jesseolson3142]

I watched it change. I started doing heroin in 99 never really heard of fentanyl. Then around 2014 its all I seen I overdosed 3 times, and I had a serious habit I was shooting 5bags at a time 2 bags almost killed me

[@seanlanglois8620]

Lost most my friends and my dad to fentanyl.at 41 minutes in that statement that he says about people pulling themselves up from the bootstraps and how addiction buckles the knees is such a powerful statement. People who have never had a dope or pain pill addiction it's very hard for them to understand you have any sympathy for you.

[@brokenangel3695]

Although I realize it’s been a year since you posted your comment here still I wanted to reply you’re msg as I read youre comment about you’re father and friends to fentanyl I wanted so much to send my 🎉Deepest Condolences🎉 and Prayers to You 🙏🛐🙏 I had a very bad’d upbringing by a pedophile for a stepdad and a mother that cared more about men than her own daughter, I was 2, my brother 1 yr old (we were born 13-months apart) when she brought the pedo home from a local Bar p, she couldn’t wait till our biological father was done w/ Bootcamp serving The Marine Corps. She divorced him married the P.O.S Therefore I started running away a lot at a young age of 11 when he decided to quit molesting me viciously rape me after he tried strangling me to silence my screems, Thanks God our neighbor heard my screams called police, she saved my life, literally! I’m 66-now still have vivid memories and horrible nightmares about the ugly past! Enough about me. I hope you’re doing alright now ? God Bless You my Thoughts, Blessings and Prayers will be with You 🙏🛐 If you’d ever like to talk feel free to message me, If you’d like! This drug Fentanyl, Tranq is terrifying what I’ve seen from videos what it does eating flesh, and makes ppl act in a Zombie-like Apocalypse, all slumped-over unable to move and unaware of what’s happening around them, their eyes lookm as if they’re stone cold as if their souls are FROZE 🥶 🥶 These people drive there lots of them then after they cop this DEADLY Drug and get their high/fix their vehicles are left there and they either die or IF their lucky help comes to their rescue and are saved. I heard on one of these videos “Narcan” doesn’t work on this Tranq-drug when OD’ing “Eyes are Windows of The Soul” for Godsakes of all things “Animal-Tranquilizer” WTF, it’s crazy & UNbelievable what people poison their systems with. . . Sad’d that ppl don’t care more about themselves than that. Know I sure do thesedays. Didn’t use to but that changed in 1994’ I’m so glad I did - Amen 🙌🏼🙏🛐 My apologies if I bored You - it wasn’t my intention to write sucha lengthy comment/book (L🙃L) Story of my life! Guess I needed to vent, I don’t talk about the past, it’s rare especially here something about your comment made me feel like being open. Take care, lemme know if you ever feel like talking. From Santa Clarita, California Your New Found Friend - Angel 🥰

[@大槻珠代]

This is mayor's job to give these people safer place. Shame on mayors leaving people on the sidewalk to die. Time to change mayor to someone who have a little bit of heart

[@elizabethsohler6516]

A lot of citizens don't want to pay the taxes necessary to do what you are suggesting. People often don't want to help addicts unless it's a member of their own family.

[@AbC-hh8vg]

It absolutely 100 percent a choice. If you can complete a sentence and hold a coherent conversation then you can absolutely stop using drugs. I used heroin and ohentanyl for more than 10 years. Died several times, several rehabs and prison time. It’s absolutely a choice. I woke up everyday and Chose to ruin my life and those around me. If I didn’t have a choice then I would still be sticking that needle in my arm. Today I chose to stay sober, and you can too.

[@kathyr.8135]

Curious, when you died several times , did you go into the spiritual realm? So happy for you.

[@boofert.washington2499]

@@kathyr.8135 I drowned once. I never saw shit. I just woke up a week later staring at a hospital ceiling with tubes everywhere in my body.

[@l.ronhubbard5445]

Yes but it is a choice between comfort and pain. The more you use, the more exaggerated both the comfort and pain become. Until the choice is between extreme comfort or extreme pain. Human behavior tends towards comfort seeking. Addiction is a completely normal human reaction, it is not a disease. Sure it is a choice but if you want to understand it, it's not a very useful lense to view things through. If we understand why people use, then we can begin to understand how to help them stop using. Calling it a choice just seems like a convenient way to dismiss these people without having to contribute any effort towards creating a solution for them

[@l.ronhubbard5445]

@@stolenjunk 3 days? Imagine someone who has used everyday for the past 3 years. I've been there before too. Cold turkey off Suboxone in jail. Withdrawal symptoms were still lingering after 6 weeks

[@saltycarl6581]

im with you on this one. when you grow up in this shit you lose all sympathy. they chose to run from their problems i chose to face them. the most freedom i ever had is when they finally died, i remember when the detective called me about my dad i just laughed and said finally. my brother killed my mom and dozens of others with his speed balls he was selling (meth and fentanyl mixed) and his final victim was himself, he was found in the mall bathroom around the corner from me. sometimes you just gotta sit back and just worry about yourself.

[@TradMommy]

Retired drug/alcohol counselor. This is heartbreaking. Meth used to be epidemic in NW Ark. Fentanyl makes that look like nothing. Methadone is a highly useful drug to counteract any opioid addiction BUT it’s horrifically painful to get off of. Just trading one dealer for another & most clinics aren’t truly “treatment centered.” A personal relationship w God, cleaning house (inventory), & helping others is the ONLY way to truly be free of any addiction.

[@markpalavosvrahotes5575]

No that’s doesn’t work. God has nothing to do with it.

[@Moni-T-V]

It breaks my heart to see and hear these parents mourning the death of their offspring to this horrible plague. My heart goes out to them 🙏

[@tiffanyritter9468]

This is so heartbreaking. I never want to put my kids through anything like this and I never want to see them go through this. I put my mother thru this and thankfully I’m still here. You don’t realize how much damage it does until you’ve had enough. You get tired of trying to find your next high, feeling like shit and being hated by your family and friends. Everyone needs love and support instead of being hateful, angry and judgemental all the time. I got “help” from Suboxone, I thought, but that’s another addiction that people have to deal with. You still have those withdrawals from Suboxone and Methadone when you’re insurance takes a shit or if you don’t have the money to pay out of pocket. Praying for all these addicts. You CAN get thru it with the right mindset and support group!

[@michellecardenas6072]

Yep been through it myself

[@st.peterunner8758]

Everyone has a choice, I hate that excuse. As an addict I can attest to that. You make the decision to start. Everyone knows what’s addictive and what’s not

[@CommanderKlag]

NO YOUR WRONG, go step of a loading dock backwards and break both legs low down at the end of the tibia and jam you spine. Stay in traction and bed ridden for 14 months. Then go tell that person they have a choice. Well, maybe you are right, they can choose to kill themself because they cannot live with the pain. Your talking about Junkies, Thats someone who does not have a valid need, Others have valid, proven need due to the condition of their badly broken bodys. It's the Junkies that cause the innocent to suffer.

[@rainforme1850]

I’ve always agreed with that statement. But I’m sure every person who’s made that choice did not ever think they would become a hard-core addict. That’s the sad part nor did they expect to die this drug has killed.

[@jocosus3]

Kudos to #KMOV on an excellent news piece! This was informative, nuanced and sympathetic; this should be mandatory viewing for all Americans. 36:44 "It's just a cleansing of the gene pool" - what an incredibly callous statement from someone who I'd assume claims to be a Christian.

[@jewelbug8713]

It is not wise to make such assumptions. The 'gene pool' relates to genetics and is a scientific term. Survival of the fittest is an evolutionary term. The majority of evolutionists and scientists are atheistic. As a Christian with a degree in health sciences, I believe the issue is more than just physical addiction; it is a spiritual battle for the souls of God's creation, led by Satan. Thank God for ministries like Jubilee Community Church that have opened their doors and hearts to help people that have found themselves spiritually lost victims from this insidious evil that plagues our land. I wish God's blessing upon their ministry. Ephesians 6:12 - "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

[@katr8756]

She was quoting someone, she didn't say it herself.

[@jewelbug8713]

@@katr8756 Exactly. However, what she did say came after the quotes.

[@gizzyguzzi]

why do you assume anything about others? I guess that's your own hate showing.

[@pattyneill4358]

on facebook , i see grieving families who are posting on facebook regarding their childrens overdose& im seeing the most rude , evil , hateful comments. omg..my heart just breaks. It is horrible to see how heartless people can be. Its almost unnatural , actually thats why im here , watching this video , i wanted to see if the comments were similar.. no they are not .. thank you , everyone who has commented , you have restored my hope in the humanity

[@mar4oz]

You know everyone looks to the government for help when they’re the ones who caused this whole thing… When the DEA started telling doctors what and how much they could prescribe, then slowly made it so every doctor was afraid to even prescribe within the DEA’s guidelines, then what it opens the door for fentanyl, plain and simple.

[@fah232]

🎯

[@stj971]

SO TRUE, THANK YOU.

[@michellecardenas6072]

Absolutely! True Story !!

[@AlexandraNevermind]

I wish this could be viewed in every classroom in the country. Every grade.