It might not be the movie they wanted to see on a Monday morning, but it was definitely the movie that needed to be seen.  The award-winning “Chasing the Dragon” was shown to Bridgeport High School students on Monday, October 10, in an effort to raise awareness of the addiction epidemic that has hoisted out state into the national headlines and claimed countless lives along the way.

 

The movie, based on real people, features the unassuming faces of many addicts.  One was an Eagle Scout, one was a cheerleader, one was a mother with an infant and another was a corporate big shot making six figures.  Addiction does not discriminate, as evidenced in local headlines her in Harrison County. 

 

“Chasing the Dragon” was produced by FBI Director James Comey and showcases testimony from overdose survivors in an effort to address the health crisis that the FBI says has quietly destroyed the lives of thousands of people each year.  “All across the country, drugs are taking good people from good homes and leading them down a trail that often ends in pain and sadness,” Comey said.

 

The film starts with a startling statistic:  about 46,000 people die from drug abuse annually in the U.S., more than those killed in car accidents and gun violence combined.  More and more of the deaths can be attributed to heroin, which is often cheaper than many prescription drugs. In the movie, students observed the dangerous and destructive path taken by addicts who never would have thought they would be in that situation. 

 

The FBI and DEA have now distributed over 10,000 copies of “Chasing the Dragon,” showing it in most Harrison County high schools and several local facilities.  The film is also used in the health classes in high schools around the United States in an effort to make a personal connection with high school students.

 

“This film may be difficult to watch, but we hope it educates students about the tragic consequences of trying drugs.  We hope they will think twice before becoming its next victim,” said Comey.

 

With very few treatment facilities in West Virginia, the problem is exacerbated by those seeking help who have limited resources.  The insiders view shown in the movie intentionally acts as a deterrence to those who are just beginning to use drugs or those who are even thinking about it.   It is hoped the film will generate discussions that will lead to a greater understanding of the dangers of addiction and the impact on both the addict and the loved ones around them.

 

Students and faculty said Chasing the Dragon made a significant impact on them, driving home the fact that the drug epidemic is a very real battle in the Mountain State. 

 

“Unlike a lot of movies that are shown to students, this one did not feature actors, but instead had the real, raw details of peoples’ struggles to overcome addiction,” said BHS Senior James Larosa.  “It heightened our awareness of the drug epidemic and did so in a way that was not patronizing to students.  The information was not only straightforward, but delivered a vital message we needed to hear.”