Milwaukee Radio Host Joins Fight Against Overdose Deaths
Date Posted: 9/4/2023
Reggie Brown, host at iHeartMedia Milwaukee radio station V100.7, is joining the “DJs Against Overdose” campaign to combat the increase in overdose deaths in the Black community. The initiative promotes the use of naloxone, a life-saving medication that quickly reverses opioid overdoses. Brown said, “Finally, the word is getting out about this lifesaver, Naloxone. I’ve seen firsthand what these opioids can do to people. Especially in my community, the Black community. Thankfully, Naloxone is now available to the public at Milwaukee Fire Stations and other locations for free, no questions asked, to save the life of someone in need. I am grateful to be working with Vital Strategies to spread the word about Naloxone to help save lives. Get, Give, Save.”
Townsquare’s WKXW-FM Trenton, N.J., launched a 
Tribune’s CBS affiliate WHNT-TV Huntsville, Ala., dedicated their June 27th 
Raycom 
Hearst’s ABC affiliate WCVB-TV Boston led a 
Beasley’s WMMR-FM Philadelphia Public Affairs Director Markus Goldman conducted an interview on February 11 about safe injection sites for opioid users with the City of Philadelphia’s Managing Director Michael DiBernardinis and Health Director Dr. Thomas Farley. “Opioids are a major problem in the City of Philadelphia and it is indicative of a nationwide epidemic,” said Goldman. “I am hoping that this interview will provide the necessary information for the public to understand and to become educated surrounding the safe injection sites in Philadelphia.”
Citadel Communications’ ABC affiliate WLNE-TV New Bedford, Mass., launched “
Beasley Media Group’s WKML-FM, WZFX-FM, WFLB-FM and WUKS-FM Fayetteville, N.C., in collaboration with Cape Fear Valley Health, will present an hour-long, commercial free simulcast, “Fayetteville Fights Back,” on January 30 to raise awareness about the opioid epidemic. On-air personalities will moderate the simulcast, featuring physicians, law enforcement officials, behavioral health experts, addiction specialists and local and state leaders, including Governor Roy Cooper (via recorded message) and Attorney General Josh Stein (in the studio).
Hearst Television stations aired and streamed a live primetime one-hour special, “
Graham Media Group (GMG) announced on August 23 the launch of “Opioid Nation: An American Epidemic,” a multi-platform commitment addressing the prescription drug abuse epidemic. During the week of Sept. 5, all seven GMG stations will air and stream locally-produced specials, plus staff phone banks and Facebook Live sessions with substance abuse counselors. The initiative also includes monthly investigative reports, original programming, town hall meetings, digital engagement, PSAs and community partnerships. GMG will highlight people who are impacted and explore government policies.
“Opioid addiction is ravaging our communities big and small and local broadcasters are uniquely positioned to tell these stories. The diversity of issues affecting our Detroit community differs from those in Houston and Orlando,” said GMG President and CEO Emily Barr. “It is our responsibility to inform viewers and we hope that ‘Opioid Nation: An American Epidemic’ will not only educate the communities we serve, but help those who are affected find a path forward through this unprecedented crisis.”
Capitol Broadcasting’s NBC affiliate WRAL-TV Raleigh aired “
WBAL-TV Continues to Fight Opioid Epidemic
Hearst’s NBC affiliate WBAL-TV Baltimore continues its efforts to raise awareness of the opioid abuse epidemic through extensive news coverage.
Hearst’s ABC affiliate WCVB-TV Boston aired an hour-long special “
Raycom Media’s CBS affiliate WOIO-TV Cleveland aired “Know the Risks,” a 30-minute, commercial-free documentary on April 6 regarding the heroin epidemic. Each year, heroin overdoses claim more lives in the state of Ohio than homicides, suicides, or car accidents. The program included segments on how the gateway to addiction often starts with the abuse of common prescription medications, the impact of social media on the epidemic, informative facts and trends, and how two local women recovered from addiction. Media partners set up a phone bank to answer live questions, which was promoted during the broadcast.
Hearst’s ABC affiliate WMUR-TV Manchester, N.H. hosted a 
Bonneville’s KTAR-FM Phoenix aired a special report on March 30 on the dangers of opioids on Arizona’s Morning News. Reporter Corbin Carson 
PMCM TV’s Me TV affiliate WJLP-TV Middletown, N.J. aired 
Hearst’s NBC affiliate WBAL-TV Baltimore continues to extensively the opioid crisis affecting the community. On March 9, WBAL aired “
Hearst’s ABC affiliate WTAE-TV aired 
More than a dozen mid-Atlantic TV stations will air the hour-long “Breaking Heroin’s Grip: Road to Recovery a Maryland Public Television” on February 11 in prime time. A 40-minute documentary featuring three Maryland opioid users and their path to recovery will be followed by a live 20-minute broadcast from a phone bank staffed by crisis counselors. It will be streamed at 
Radio and television stations across Arizona aired a 30-minute commercial-free investigative report, 
Graham Media Group’s NBC affiliate WDIV Detroit provided day-long “Faces of Addiction” coverage about the heroin epidemic on November 17. Dr. Frank McGeorge teamed with WDIV-TV reporters Kevin Dietz, Hank Winchester and Sandra Ali to present important information on this growing problem. The reports included information about why it is a priority to clean out medicine cabinets and a report about parents and grandparents who are overdosing on drugs while their children are in their care.
Paxton Media’s NBC affiliate WPSD-TV Paducah, KY addressed the opioid crisis that affects the community by highlighting the story of 28-year-old Douglas Koon, who has been struggling with addiction for 11 years. Many adolescents and young adults face the decision of whether to abuse prescription drugs before they turn 18. WPSD-TV shared the message that people should not be scared to ask for help. Watch video 
Graham Media Group’s NBC affiliate WDIV-TV Detroit is committed to addressing the opioid abuse crisis. “All of us at WDIV are keenly aware of the impact we can have when tackling important local problems, and the opioid addiction epidemic is of great concern to us,” said Director of Local Programming Laurie Oberman. This year, WDIV has aired town halls, documentaries and more than 325 PSAs provided by the Partnership for Drug Free Kids. WDIV featured a local family’s struggle with opioid addiction and provided information on developments in methods to treat addiction in young adults. In addition, the station has covered announcements from President Obama, the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, the Center for Disease Control, the city of Canton, the Michigan Governor and city of Clawson.
Raycom’s NBC affiliate WSFA Montgomery, Ala. Chief Meteorologist Josh Johnson shares his 
Shires Media Partnership’s WBTN-AM in Bennington, Vermont launched on October 24 a four-part series called “Grip of Addiction.” Bennington is experiencing a growing problem with heroin overdose-related deaths and lacks the facilities necessary to address addiction. The series and ensuing follow up will “draw attention to the importance of community radio to keep locals abreast of what’s going on in their town, and what’s being done or not being done,” said WBTN General Manager Ted Hollow. 
TEGNA’s ABC affiliate KIII Corpus Christi, Tx. hosted prescription 
News-Press & Gazette’s CBS affiliate KION Monterey Gonzales P.D. promoted the Gonzales Police Department’s participation in the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on October 22. The initiative fights prescription drug abuse by removing expired or unused prescription drugs from circulation.
Bonneville’s NBC affiliate KSL-TV Salt Lake City, UT devoted a 
Entercom’s KALC-FM Denver posted Macklemore’s powerful "Drug Dealer" video to bring attention to the station’s prescription drug abuse resources. KALC-FM, along with local stations across the country, have joined the NAB and the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids’ campaign to address America’s opioid and prescription drug abuse epidemic. The station’s social media and on-air messaging share 
Nearly 78 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose. To address the epidemic and support local radio and TV broadcasters’ ongoing efforts, NAB has teamed with the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids (Partnership) on a 
Hearst’s ABC affiliate WCVB-TV Boston aired “
Rubber City Radio Group’s WAKR-FM, WONE-FM, WQMX-FM, and WNWV-FM, in the greater Cleveland area, have devoted numerous resources to addressing the local and nationwide opioid epidemic. The station group invested a week’s worth of intensive reporting on its news and community talk programs regarding the topic, supported by live broadcasts and a strong web reporting presence that included social media. Also, the “Jasen Sokol Show” conducted a live four-hour program from the local Department of Health, which included a broadcast of a news conference detailing new initiatives to help listeners dispose of outdated prescription drugs safely. The station group also developed a section of their website where listeners can visit for additional information. Access it here.
Midwest Communications’ WTAQ-AM Green Bay, WHBL-AM/FM Sheboygan and WSAU-AM Wausau partnered on “
Denali Media Holdings’ CBS affiliate KTVA-TV Anchorage, AK aired “Preventable deaths: What you can do if someone is overdosing on drugs.” As the Anchorage Police Department (APD) tries to figure out what led up to the death of 45-year-old Darlene Kunayak, they encourage people to call 911 if they see someone in a possible overdose situation. APD believes Kunayak died of a heroin overdose on May 7. So far this year, local police have investigated 11 deaths involving heroin overdoses. In 2015, 36 people died from heroin statewide.
Raycom Media’s NBC affiliate WFIE-TV Evansville, Ind. aired a report, “
Fox-owned WFLD-TV Chicago simulcast “Rockin’ Recovery" on-air and online on May 16 as part of the station’s ongoing investigative reporting on Chicago’s growing heroin and opioid epidemic. “
CBS Evening News debuted a new series on heroin addiction on May 16. “
Gray Television’s CBS affiliate WSAW-TV, Wausau, WI aired a three-part series, "
WMHT’s PBS affiliate WMHT Schenectady, N.Y. hosted a community conversation on October 29 focusing on the heroin epidemic in the Capitol region of New York. Panelists included Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple, Dr. Michael Dailey of the Albany Medical Center and Micky Jimenez, RN, Director of Camino Nuevo. The conversation was recorded and broadcast on WMHT-TV on November 9 at 7:30pm. This conversation is part of ’
Tribune’s CW affiliate WPIX-TV New York City aired a six-part series, “
CBS, Warner Bros. Television and the comedy series MOM partnered with the U.S. Surgeon General to raise awareness of the addiction epidemic through a new public service announcement. The 30-second 
NBC News launched a series of investigative reports, “
MBC Grand Broadcasting’s WFMZ-TV Allentown, Pa. anchor Chandi Lowry was recognized by the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters for the 30-minute special “
Scripps’ ABC affiliate WMAR-TV Baltimore aired and live-streamed an hour-long special, “
TEGNA’s NBC affiliate WXIA-TV Atlanta aired “
CBS Radio’s WINS-AM New York City aired an investigative series on the heroin epidemic, hosted a heroin education summit on Long Island that drew 600 people and continues to use their digital assets to perpetuate the dialogue. Director of News and Programming Ben Mevorach 
Dispatch Broadcasting’s CBS affiliate WBNS-TV Columbus, OH aired a one-hour documentary, “
Hubbard’s NBC affiliate WHEC-TV Rochester, N.Y. aired “
Hearst Television’s ABC affiliate WCVB-TV Boston launched its 13-week campaign, "
Media General’s NBC affiliate WCMH-TV Columbus, OH held a "Drug Disposal Day" on May 2. Almost 2,600 pounds of pills and drug paraphernalia were turned over to law enforcement. This equates to about 1.8 million tablets. Drug Disposal Day aims to curb teen prescription drug abuse by offering a way to safely dispose of expired and unused medication. Almost 4.5 million teens report recreational use of prescription drugs.
On January 13 at 6:30 p.m., all Arizona television stations and most radio stations aired "
Sinclair Broadcasting’s MyNetworkTV affiliate KMTW-TV Wichita received a Media Excellence Award for its public service efforts to promote a drug-free Kansas from the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids. The Partnership recognized 26 other local TV stations across the country that provide outstanding support for the nonprofit’s efforts to reduce teen substance abuse and support families impacted by addiction. Click 
Television stations across Arizona inspired statewide action, including town hall meetings and discussion groups, when they simultaneously aired a commercial-free broadcast of "Crystal Darkness," a 30-minute Emmy-Award winning documentary about the growing problem of methamphetamine addiction, which has ties to 60 percent of non-violent crime in the state. Together, the television stations reached an audience of 1.5 million with the documentary, which was aired in both English and Spanish on April 13, 2008. The reach of this unprecedented effort was augmented by the many Arizona radio stations that ran audio versions of the documentary. KPNX-TV in Phoenix, Ariz., served as the satellite television center, and all participating stations ran promotional spots and local news stories about both the program and the problem of meth in the area. The broadcasters reached out to a local health care system to set up a central phone bank where viewers and listeners of all stations could call to get help. "There is no way in any community that you can have impact on crime without broadcasters’ support," said Sgt. Paul Penzone of the Phoenix Police Department. "Broadcasters went well above the bar with ‘Crystal Darkness’ to make a contribution that was significant."
"Overcome it." That is the anti-drug message KFMJ-FM in Ketchikan, Alaska, uses to reach teens who may be tempted to try illegal substances. The public service announcement (PSA), which features a Ketchikan school board member, won a Goldie Award from the Alaska Broadcasting Association in 2007 and continues to air every day, as it has since it was first produced in 2006. The message is just one of the station’s many drug prevention efforts. For more than a decade, KFMJ has used the airways to confront the drug abuse problem in its community. Every October, the station runs PSAs for Red Ribbon Week, a campaign that encourages Alaskans to take action and raise awareness of drug prevention efforts. In 2007, the station supported an inaugural effort by the Women of the Moose, who challenged the third-grade classes in the area to come up with an anti-drug message. When Mrs. Klinger’s class from Houghtaling Elementary won the honor of best entry, KFMJ brought the studio to the school and recorded the kids singing "There Ain’t No Drugs on Me." The recording is being broadcast as a PSA. Station staff wanted to communicate with parents struggling with addictions as well, so they produced a series of announcements featuring a child’s voice saying, "Stop the abuse. You are our role model." The station hopes listeners with a problem get the message.
McKinnon Broadcasting-owned KUSI-TV San Diego, Calif., recently launched an outreach initiative to address drug abuse and the addictive prescription medication, Oxycontin. In 2007, 5.2 million kids reported using prescription drugs, while most of their parents were unaware. To combat this growing number, KUSI-TV developed a series of reports and a two-hour news special that explored the ways Oxycontin hurts individuals, families and communities. Station anchors, Allen Denton and Sandra Maas, hosted the eye-opening documentary which included numerous personal testimonials, a live help line for viewers and information for parents and teens to obtain help in fighting addiction.