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9 On Your Side confronts Greater Cincinnati's heroin epidemic in 'Heroin: Fixing a Broken System'

Posted at 9:34 AM, Dec 15, 2016
and last updated 2016-12-15 23:32:12-05

CINCINNATI -- With an uncontrollable number of overdoses, a system overwhelmed and a city in crisis, WCPO's I-Team examined hopeful solutions and life after heroin in a one-hour special report. 

Miss the special when it aired? No worries. You can watch the whole thing in the video player above.

In “Heroin: Fixing a Broken System,” WCPO's investigative reporters uncover problems in the treatment of heroin addicts in Greater Cincinnati. Nearly one year ago, WCPO founded a heroin advisory board comprised of medical experts, treatment specialists, social workers, law enforcement officers and parents who have lost children to heroin. The group advises WCPO’s Editorial Board on the challenges our community faces when it comes to heroin. 

As part of these meetings, the I-Team began investigating the broken heroin treatment system. This multi-platform investigation looked at the major challenges heroin addicts faced, with a six-part series on WCPO.com and broadcast stories every night the week of Dec. 12.

READ MORE FROM THIS SERIES:

“Heroin addiction is a massive problem plaguing our community," said WCPO.com Editor in Chief Mike Canan. “Our hope is that our reporting can lead to meaningful change in how we as a community fight addiction.” 

During this special, the 9 On Your Side I-Team examineD a broken treatment system as seen through the eyes of doctors, parents, former addicts and current addicts.

“We’re proud of the journalism that goes into the special, but it’s not our first nor our last reporting on this topic.  This scourge of heroin hasn’t abated, and neither will our efforts to give light to our community’s biggest challenge,” said WCPO 9 On Your Side News Director Chip Mahaney.

Visit WCPO.com/heroin for more stories and information about overcoming addiction.