Before I even begin, I must applaud OWN’s Our America with Lisa Ling for taking on such an intensely serious drug problem. This addiction is typically one explored from a safe distance. However, Lisa Ling embeds herself into a potentially dangerous situation to bring us an in-depth look behind the addiction. I have always thought highly of Lisa Ling and her integrity as she covered anything from serious world issues to common ordinary ones. I don’t give public kudos often, but well done Lisa Ling! 

Now to the story…the show opened up with OWN’s Lisa Ling sitting on a bed in a seedy hotel in Richland County, Ohio. An off-camera couple, high-school sweethearts actually, noted how people are dying from heroin all around them. When Lisa asks how long it will take them to shoot up again, they say as soon as the cameras go off. Well, apparently they didn’t wait for that. This episode showed more needles than a medical training video. It was so sad.

For 2 years Lisa followed several addicts to see how their lives had changed. The first couple we were introduced to were Mark and Darla. Each day they find themselves searching for heroin. While Lisa sat in their minivan next to their 1 year old son, Mike drove his wife and the crew to Columbus to get drugs. Mike started out as a normal guy working on houses making 6 figures providing for his family…until he had an accident at work and was prescribed drugs. In no time at all the addiction grew and his wife even started to use. Now trapped in their addiction, they find themselves hustling money to score their heroin. The cameras rolled as Mike shot up his wife within a couple of feet to his baby boy. Claiming to not be high, the couple explained how the drugs took the upset stomach and chills away. They needed it to feel normal. Then we are introduced to a couple of young men…all the children of Mike and Darla…all heroin addicts. After seeing their parents shooting up in the bathroom, the children joined in. Saddened that their children are using and realizing they no longer have relationships with them, Mike and Darla struggle to get clean for their family. The family was then kicked out of Mike’s mother’s house. With his wife and child in a homeless shelter, Mike took refuge under a porch. Consumed with self-hatred, Mike and Darla felt desperate. They knew they had to leave their town to get clean.  

Two years later, Lisa caught up with Matt, Mike and Darla’s older son. He didn’t want to let the cameras in and informed Lisa that his parents were in New York City getting treatment. Lisa headed to NYC. Clean for 18 months, they look great! Not one relapse. They are done with that life and I think I believe them. Their motivation…their son, Caden, who was placed in foster care. Luckily they were able to visit him. Homeless on the streets of New York, they struggled to turn their lives around and get their son back. As Mike wished he could get a job, he sat on the sidewalk begging for money or food…anything that would help. Still sober and clean, they remained strong and determined. At 5:30 pm they enter the homeless shelter to see if there was space available. Apparently it is harder for a woman to get a bed than a man. They try to stay focused knowing this is only a step to a better life. I feel good about them and hope they are able to stay positive and eventually are able to put their family back together again.

Lisa then introduced us to 24 year old Merry, a former cheerleader with high hopes. Unfortunately for Merry, her senior year she got a new boyfriend, Brandon, and a new experience…heroin. After trying to quit multiple times, Merry knew she has hurt her young daughter. However, she struggles to be able to find the strength to quit. As the cameras showed her shooting up all over her body, she dropped a bombshell. I literally had to back the program up to be sure I heard this correctly. After watching her shoot up, she told Lisa of how she was concerned for her baby…she was almost 5 months pregnant. She claimed she didn’t want to start the intense detox while pregnant because if she started cramping, she may lose the baby. I couldn’t help but wonder about all the complications heroin may cause to an unborn child.

After the news, Lisa rushed off to find Merry’s boyfriend, Brandon, being arrested for possession of heroin and suspicion of breaking and entering. He was heading to jail and Merry was in need of a fix. After several calls, Lisa encouraged Merry to check into a detox program. Unsure what to do, she took off. She wanted Lisa to go, but Lisa couldn’t ride with her under the influence. You could tell it was hard for Lisa to watch her drive off. How can you not feel invested and care?

When Lisa checked on them 2 years later, she found Merry. She had been in and out of jail and treatment. She was currently in a half-way house trying to stay clean. A little nervous, Lisa made her way to the half-way house to see her. Completely clean, Merry spoke with Lisa about how great it felt to be able to “feel” again. When Lisa asked about the baby she had been carrying, Merry told her that she had placed the baby up for adoption….doing what she thought was best for her child. Merry was hoping to change her life. Knowing that she can no longer let Brandon pull her down, Merry spoke confidently about saying “NO” to using again. I can’t help but wonder. She was fresh out of jail and in a safe environment in the half-way house. How can she move on if she drives by the houses she bought dope from on a regular basis? How do you stay strong when those you used with keep calling and showing up with drugs? I wished she had left that town and hoped for the best.

Now what was going on with Brandon? He had also been in and out of jail and was trying to get treatment. Now living with his father, he tried to avoid old places and people he did drugs with…trying to stay positive. Clean for the last 4 months, he knew he had to change everything to stay that way. His father spoke of how this drug got a hold of his son when he was around 18 years old and about all of his relapses…all while holding a picture of his son when he was in elementary school. It must be so hard on a parent. So many “what ifs” and “if onlys”….so much praying.

So how was Brandon doing it? With the help of a little pill, Suboxone. He knew he would probably be using if he didn’t have it. Out of pills, he made an appointment with his doctor whom he owed over $300. Not sure how he would make the payment, Brandon hoped his doctor will still see him. With the cameras rolling, his doctor didn’t mention the money. He did however ask how Brandon’s cravings were on a scale of 1 to 10….with the medication, he was at a 5 or 6 leaning towards using. I am nervous for Brandon. As he tried to make an appointment, the nurse checking him out said they would talk next time about the money. I worry for Brandon since the cameras won’t be rolling during that uncomfortable conversation. Brandon eventually found a temporary job in construction and even better news…he was approved by medicaid to help cover his medication. As I watch him I can’t help but worry. He seems like he is riding the edge. I hope he makes it.

Lisa then interviewed Officer Myers, a U.S. Marshall Task Force Officer, about the the drug problems in Richland County. The task force practices what Lisa refers to as “tough love” on low level offenders like heroin users. They round them up in hopes of getting them into drug treatment programs. Officer Myers noted that drug abuse and prison are like a revolving door. In the Richland County jail…1 out of every 5 inmates comes in hooked on heroin. The officer allowed Lisa to interview Thomas, a father and heroine addict. After using for 12 years and knowing that this may be his last chance, Thomas agreed to treatment.

So what does withdrawal look life for Thomas? According to Our America…5 days of nausea, vomiting, insomnia, anxiety and depression. Thomas added in the chills and sweats. It isn’t uncommon for addicts to want to get clean, but many drop the plan once the detox becomes uncomfortable. Thirty hours into detox, Lisa talked with Thomas about how he was doing. Unable to sleep, he just wanted to be alone. Like so many addicts, it is hard knowing that one hit can take the pain away. Almost 5 days later as Thomas finished his detox, he was just at the start of change. With 75% of heroin addicts unable to get clean and stay clean, his road would be a tough one. Thomas then spoke about his 7 year old son as tears streamed down his cheek. He knew that his addiction had taken a toll on his son and wished he had been a better father. Hopefully he will remain clean and have a chance to make it up to his son.

Our America and Lisa Ling did a great job showing the human side to this crippling addiction. As the show played, I kept thinking of a family member that had spent her life battling addiction. Then, I hear a Professor I had in college telling our class how once you try heroin…you are an addict. No one can use it just once. Now with this show. Americans…our OWN communities talk about how they can’t function without it. I am so grateful that my family and I do not struggle with this. Drugs are devastating and can rip lives apart. Thank you OWN’s Our America and Lisa Ling for shedding a light on the complexity of this problem.