Graham Media Group Launches “Opioid Nation: An American Epidemic”
August 23 2017 - 8:30AM
Business Wire
Graham Media Group, Inc., a Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC)
subsidiary, announced today that it will launch a comprehensive
initiative examining the opioid crisis in America, focusing on the
local communities the station group serves. Graham Media Group’s
“Opioid Nation: An American Epidemic” is a multi-platform
commitment addressing the epidemic that is unraveling communities
and destroying American lives. Each of the seven Graham Media Group
(GMG) stations will air investigative reports, produce original
programming, facilitate digital engagement, broadcast public
service announcements and work with community partners on effective
outreach.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the
number of overdose deaths involving opioids has quadrupled with
more than 500,000 deaths between 2000 and 2015. Today, 91 Americans
die every day as a result of opioid abuse.
GMG stations will investigate the genesis of the crisis, the
lives of those faced with addiction, and the historic and current
governmental policies that address the ongoing abuse epidemic.
“Opioid addiction is ravaging our communities big and small and
local broadcasters are uniquely positioned to tell these stories.
The diversity of issues affecting our Detroit community differs
from those in Houston and Orlando,” said Emily Barr, president and
chief executive officer of Graham Media Group. “For instance,
Martinsville, Virginia is first in the nation in per-capita opioid
prescriptions and WSLS, our nearby Roanoke station, is faced with
stories every week about a drug problem that is only getting worse.
We can tell that story and engage our community partners who are
skilled and ready to offer help and hope.”
GMG stations will air locally produced, televised and streamed
specials during the week of September 5. Along with original
programming, stations will staff phone banks and Facebook Live
sessions designed to connect viewers, users and families with
substance abuse counselors. Town hall meetings and monthly in-depth
reports will drill down on the specific issues that contribute to
this public health crisis.
“We’re pooling resources and exchanging stories amongst our
newsrooms to give depth and perspective to the many facets of the
problem,” continued Barr.
Car crashes of those who tested positive from prescription drugs
have increased 700% over the last 20 years according to a 2017
study by Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. The
over prescription of opioids from doctors has steadily risen and
fatalities due to heroin continue to tear apart families across all
demographics. Graham Media Group joins the National Association of
Broadcasters in their dedicated efforts to shed light on the
severity of the opioid epidemic.
“It is our responsibility to inform viewers and we hope that
‘Opioid Nation: An American Epidemic’ will not only educate the
communities we serve, but help those who are affected find a path
forward through this unprecedented crisis,” said Barr.
About Graham Media Group
Graham Media Group, Inc. (www.GrahamMedia.com), a subsidiary of
Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC), owns seven local TV
stations—each in a top-70 market and all recognized as news
leaders—reaching 6.9% of U.S. television households: KPRC–Houston
and WDIV–Detroit (NBC); WSLS - Roanoke (NBC); KSAT–San Antonio
(ABC); WKMG–Orlando (CBS); WJXT–Jacksonville (independent); and
WCWJ - Jacksonville (CW). The stations also broadcast digital
channels focused on classic television and operate market-leading
websites, mobile sites and mobile apps that deliver breaking news,
weather and community news, reaching millions of users across each
platform. Graham Media Group owns SocialNewsDesk, a leading
provider of social media software solutions used in more than 2,000
newsrooms across 5 continents.
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Graham Media Group, Inc.Patty Oliva,
312-917-6242POliva@GrahamMedia.com
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