C'mon Hollywood!

Incanfuckingdescent with rage, I watch Ruth reverse a heroin overdose with an EpiPen on the NETFLIX show Ozark. Guys!!… that’s wrong, it’s total bullshit!
An EpiPen containing epinephrine (“adrenaline”) can not reverse an opioid overdose!
In fact it can cause more harm.

I know that Ozark isn’t a documentary but…

It is shameful that in the midst of America’s opioid crisis, in a show where heroin is central to the plot, that nobody thought to research beyond Pulp Fiction, which was made in 1994 when we didn’t know any better.

The show has huge ratings. Apparently that week hit 4 billion viewing minutes.
That’s 4 billion minutes that have to be undone.
An opportunity missed.

The writers John Shiban, Mark Williams and Bill Dubuque should be ashamed of themselves and if any of you know them, or any of the myriad producers, cast and crew, I would be happy to train them, personally, in opioid OD reversal, how it works, what it looks like, what to do and what not to do. It’s all part of the training.

Meanwhile on BBC radio ..

The drama Lifelines nails it!

This radio drama in 15 minute episodes follows Carrie, who works in an ambulance control room as she juggles her stressful work calls intertwined with those everyday family calls.
It’s human, entertaining and relatable.

One episode stands out… This episode

In less than 5 minutes, Carrie talks a caller through a successful opioid overdose reversal.
It’s all in there.. the sternal rub, the chest compressions, Naloxone administration… even the BeeGees get a mention (timing of chest compressions is the same beat as ‘Stayin’ Alive’) … And Bingo! the listener is entertained and has learned about opioid reversal.
Bravo! Al Smith for your incredible writing and excellent research, and if you know him, please thank him from me!

We know that what we see on our screens changes things.

So, if you or anyone you know is writing or filming anything involving an opioid overdose, please reach out. If you don’t want to hear it from me… I can introduce you to myriad MDs and harm reductionists.
We can help with accurate information and even provide you with real devices to use as props.
Naloxone is fast and easy to administer so it won’t drag your scene out to show reality.
Together we can replace the dangerous urban myths with life saving facts.

And for the rest us… remember that you can’t (sadly) always believe what you see on the telly!