The Louisiana Supreme Court Families in Need of Services Assistance Program (FINS-AP) has released a documentary focusing on the opioid crisis affecting Louisiana. This initiative aims to increase awareness of the epidemic impacting numerous lives across the state.
The release coincides with National Youth Substance Use Prevention Month and Substance Misuse Prevention Month. The documentary features various individuals, including medical professionals like Dr. Dan Schneider from Netflix’s “The Pharmacist,” former St. Tammany Parish Coroner Dr. Charles Preston, officials from the Louisiana Department of Health, FINS officers, law enforcement personnel, and family members who have lost loved ones to the opioid crisis. Among those interviewed is Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice John L. Weimer.
Chief Justice Weimer commented, “The Opioid Crisis is a major crisis in Louisiana and throughout most of the country. So many people had prescription drugs prescribed to them by a doctor and yet abused those drugs. It is not limited to just one group of people, but all people throughout the community must be made aware of this problem that has caused too many to die or become severely addicted. We must address this problem to make our communities safer.”
Available on the Louisiana Supreme Court's website, the documentary serves as an informative resource for partners, stakeholders, and those affected by the opioid crisis. It aims to highlight national and statewide opioid misuse dangers with a focus on fentanyl while fostering understanding of risk factors leading to misuse.
Designed for viewing in various settings such as courtroom lobbies, drug court sessions, clinical appointments, FINS conferences, detention centers, and community groups, FINS-AP intends for the documentary to educate and inspire action against opioid misuse.
The film emphasizes fentanyl's danger currently affecting citizens' lives across communities regardless of socioeconomic status or background. It addresses challenges faced by healthcare providers due to this epidemic while offering solutions and resources for recovery available to educators, parents, social workers, law enforcement agencies, and other community entities.
Produced alongside the Louisiana Department of Health, FINS-AP hopes this documentary will inspire viewers to join efforts against this epidemic and convey that help is available for those suffering.
For further information or inquiries about the documentary or related resources provided by FINS-AP can contact Trina S. Vincent at tvincent@lasc.org or call (504) 310-2590.