Laraway co-sponsors screening of The Hungry Heart at Johnson State College

     Approximately 150 students and community members turned out on a cold Monday night to watch a screening of The Hungry Heart, Bess O'Brien's new documentary about prescription drug addiction and recovery.  The film focuses on the northern Vermont town of St. Albans and a perceptive pediatrician named Dr. Fred Holmes who lifted the lid on the problem and engaged the community in helping its children who are addicted to opiates.
     O'Brien is a well-respected documentary filmmaker whose earlier works include Journey into Courage, Shout it Out and Ask Us Who We Are.  She's adept at tackling social matters such as domestic violence, substance abuse and challenges faced by youth in the foster care system with a eye for revealing the depth and humanity of the people behind the issues.  The screening was followed by a discussion with the director and several of the individuals featured in the film, including the now-retired Dr. Holmes.  Information on resources for individuals experiencing opiate addiction was also made available.
     "I was thrilled to see so many students, community members and community partners in attendance," said Emily Neilsen, the college's Coordinator of First-Year Events.  "It was incredibly inspiring to hear from Dr. Holmes as well as from folks whose lives have been so greatly impacted by addiction.  Their words, along with the film, humanized addiction and re-affirmed the idea that we need to approach this illness from a medical perspective, not a criminal perspective."
     The event, hosted by Johnson State College, was co-sponsored by Laraway, the Lamoille Family Center and  the Lamoille County Court Diversion Restorative Justice Programs, Inc.