MPT launches major broadcast initiative on addiction and recovery

Week-long programming focuses on substance, gambling addictions

Regional broadcasters, journalists join forces for February 11 simulcast

OWINGS MILLS, MD – Maryland Public Television (MPT) has launched an addiction and recovery initiative that makes its regional TV debut in February, culminating in a statewide broadcast simulcast in which nearly 30 commercial stations across the region (station list below) will air a special MPT state-focused documentary and “live” phone bank and outreach program.

Schedule for February 6 - 9

Beginning February 6, MPT will telecast nightly programs focused on substance and gambling addictions, including stories of hope and recovery.  The February 7 (8 p.m.) documentary Understanding Joy explores the addictive nature of pathological gambling and the need for clinical intervention to control the behavior. At 8:30 p.m. the same evening, the documentary Life After Meth examines the treatable disease of methamphetamine addiction.  A February 8 production airing in two-parts at 8 p.m. on MPT2, Prescription Drug Addiction: This is America & the World,focuses on the runaway opioid epidemic in America, and warning signs for users’ family members.  On MPT February 9 at 9 p.m., a FRONTLINE special, Chasing Heroin, investigates the heroin crisis from the standpoint of U.S. drug policy, including a contrast between public health concerns and law enforcement approaches.

Week-long effort culminates February 11

The week’s programming culminates on February 11.  On MPT at 6 p.m., the documentary On Life’s Terms: Mothers in Recovery tells the story of five mothers struggling to overcome substance use to achieve self-sufficiency and break their common cycle of abuse, addiction, and poverty. Then, at 7 p.m., the new MPT-produced documentary Breaking Heroin’s Grip: Road to Recovery reveals the stories of three individuals with an opioid use disorder in Maryland’s urban and rural settings and their recovery from addiction.

Produced by MPT in association with the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Behavioral Health Administration, Breaking Heroin’s Grip: Road to Recovery will air on nearly 30 radio and television stations in Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Washington, DC, either simultaneously with MPT’s telecast or shortly thereafter.  The program will be streamed on a special MPT website, breakingheroin.com, and on the station’s YouTube channel as well.  Throughout the evening and at the documentary’s conclusion, a live telephone bank (1-800-422-0009) – staffed by Behavioral Health Administration crisis hotline team members – will receive calls from addicted individuals, family members, or friends to provide immediate information and assistance that may lead to treatment and recovery.

MPT news anchor Jeff Salkin will be joined by WUSA-TV’s Bruce Johnson, news anchor/reporter, in hosting the one-hour telecast and phone bank outreach event.

The broadcast simulcast was arranged with member stations of the Maryland, DC, Delaware Broadcasters Association (MDCD), a Raleigh (NC)-based industry group that represents public and commercial radio and television across Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Delaware. The addiction and recovery initiative and February 11 telecast also are supported by print journalist members of the Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association (MDDC), an Annapolis-based association of more than 100 member publications and wire services. Participating MDDC member newspapers will provide localized coverage of the opioid problem in their own communities.

At the end of the MPT telecast at 8 p.m. on February 11, the station will air The Concert to Face Addiction, a one-hour special featuring musical performances by top stars to raise awareness about addiction and recovery. The concert was recently recorded on the National Mall at the foot of the Washington Monument and features performances from Joe Walsh, Steven Tyler, Sheryl Crow, Jonathan Butler, John Rzeznik and Tommy Sims, with special messages from President Obama, Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr.

Special website access

A special addiction and recovery project website, breakingheroin.com, has been created to provide public access to information, the state’s crisis hotline, and resources to assist active users in obtaining help. 

About MPT

Launched in 1969 and headquartered in Owings Mills, MD, Maryland Public Television is a nonprofit, state-licensed public television network and member of the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).  MPT’s six transmitters cover Maryland plus portions of contiguous states and the District of Columbia.  Frequent winner of regional Emmy® awards, MPT creates local, regional, and national television shows.  Beyond broadcast, MPT’s commitment to professional educators, parents, caregivers, and learners of all ages is delivered through year-round instructional events and the super-website Thinkport, which garners in excess of 14 million page views annually.  MPT’s community engagement connects viewers with local resources on significant health, education, and public interest topics through year-round outreach events, viewer forums, program screenings, and phone bank call-in opportunities.  

# # #

MEDIA NOTES:

Opioid addiction experts are available for interviews.

Breaking Heroin’s Grip: Road to Recovery documentary screeners are available upon request. Media toolkit is available atbreakingheroin.com.

STATIONS PARTICIPATING IN BROADCAST OF MPT’s Breaking Heroin’s Grip: Road to Recovery

WBAL-TV / Baltimore, MD	WJZ-FM / Baltimore, MD
WJZ-TV / Baltimore, MD	WLIF-FM / Baltimore, MD
WMAR-TV / Baltimore, MD	WOLB-AM / Baltimore, MD
WNUV-TV / Baltimore, MD	WHFC-FM / Bel Air, MD
WRDE-TV / Lewes, DE	WWMX-FM / Baltimore, MD
WHAG-TV / Hagerstown, MD	WJEJ-AM / Hagerstown, MD
WHUT-TV / Washington, DC	WPTX-AM / Lexington Park, MD
WUSA-TV / Washington, DC	WMDT-Delmarva Public Radio / Salisbury, MD
WMPH-FM / Wilmington, DE	WTHU-AM / Thurmont, MD
WRNR-FM / Annapolis, MD	WKHS-FM / Worton, MD
WNAV-AM /Annapolis, MD	WITF-FM / Harrisburg, PA
WBAL-AM / Baltimore, MD	WOL-AM / Washington, DC
WYPR-FM / Baltimore, MD	WPRS-FM / Washington, DC