Opioids : an American tale

The United States has experienced a decades long opioid crisis. Blame for the epidemic is cast on addicts, pharmaceutical companies and even the justice system.

In her latest book, "Dopesick," author and investigative journalist Beth Macy examines the far reaching effects the epidemic is having on America.

Macy presents a humanizing view of the crisis by offering the perspectives of those hit hardest in poor and wealthy communities. Macy also highlights the roles of the drug dealers, doctors and drug companies that contributed to the addiction of millions.

In this talk, presented by Town Hall Seattle, Macy focuses on three Virginia communities, which she believes represented the arch of the epidemic. She also shares what happens when a thrice-convicted drug seller introduces heroin to a once idyllic small town.

Beth Macy is the author of ‘Truevine" and "Factory Man." Based in Roanoke, Virginia, Macy has been awarded the Nieman Fellowship for Journalism at Harvard University and the J. Anthony Lukas prize from Columbia University.

This event took place at Town Hall Seattle on August 12. 2019.