MANSFIELD — Family Life Counseling and Psychiatric Services and the Mansfield/Richland County Public Library are inviting the public to a free documentary and discussion gathering on Thursday, March 1 from 5 until 7 p.m. in the Community Room of the downtown library, located at 43 West Third Street, Mansfield.
There will be a screening of the film Heroin(e), which was released in August 2017 and nominated for an Academy Award for the Best Documentary (Short Subject). The documentary follows three female advocates battling the opiate epidemic in Huntington, West Virginia. A place that was once known for successful industry, is now known for having an overdose rate 10 times the national average. However, within these struggles, Heroin(e) reveals a different side – one of hope.
Peabody Award-winning filmmaker, Elaine McMillion Sheldon (Hollow) highlights three women working to change the town’s narrative and break the devastating cycle of drug abuse, one person at a time. The women showcased are Jan Rader, chief of the fire department, drug court judge Patricia Keller, and Necia Freeman, of the Brown Bag Ministry.
As America’s addiction crisis threatens communities, the local organizations hope to bring light to some of the good work being done in our own city. Following the film screening, the discussion will feature a panel of Richland County advocates. The panel will include a representative from Family Life Counseling, the Opiate Task Force, the Mansfield Police Department, the Richland County Mental Health & Addiction Services Board, and the City of Mansfield.
In addition, the film’s director has agreed to be available via Skype to answer questions and take comments. The local organizations, as well as some panelists, see similarities between Mansfield and Huntington and look forward to bringing notice to the work that is being done across Richland County.
For more information call 419-521-3100.
