Pennsylvania has one of the highest opioid overdose death rates in the nation. Every day, thousands of Pennsylvanians—mothers, and fathers, children, neighbors—struggle to overcome addiction. Rural and urban, rich and poor, the opioid crisis affects all of us.

Neither people nor communities can fight this battle alone. Public media has the unique potential to connect Pennsylvanians across boundaries, and, in an unprecedented collaboration, we are doing just that. Our local reporting and programming have covered the opioid crisis for years—but now we are uniting to show you how Pennsylvanians statewide are confronting the epidemic of heroin and prescription opioid abuse. We are increasing awareness and empathy to reduce the stigma around opioid use, aid prevention, and help people find treatment.

Pennsylvania PBS stations WHYY (Philadelphia), WITF (Harrisburg), WLVT/PBS39 (Greater Lehigh Valley), WPSU (State College), WQED (Pittsburgh), WQLN (Northwestern Pennsylvania), and WVIA (Northeastern Pennsylvania) are collaborating to produce educational programming that focuses on the opioid crisis and its impact. Watch videos produced by each station and keep up with our reporting.

BROADCAST AND WATCH EVENTS

“Battling Opioids,” an hour long television special produced by all the stations, first aired on all stations on Thursday, September 27, 2018, across the state, and aired again statewide December 20, 2018. Battling Opioids Part 2 Battling Opioids: Part 2,  aired April 11, 2019, Battling Opioids Part 3 will air Thursday September 26, 2019. You can help increase awareness and reduce stigma in your hometown by joining or hosting a community conversation.