Screening and Discussion of “Addiction” Documentary February 27
Press Release · Thursday, February 7, 2019

Washington, DC

On Wednesday, February 27, at 7 p.m. the National Archives presents a screening and expert panel discussion of the powerful new PBS NOVA documentary Addiction.  Addiction examines how easy access to drugs like heroin, fentanyl, and even prescription medications like OxyContin has fueled an epidemic of addiction—the deadliest in U.S. history. Now, science is revealing how addiction affects the brain, and top experts are gathering evidence about how we should address our drug problem, from embracing evidence-based treatments, to rethinking public policies.

The event will be held in the William G. McGowan Theater of the National Archives Museum in Washington, D.C.  This program is free and open to the public, but reservations are recommended and can be made online. Attendees should use the Special Events entrance on Constitution Avenue at 7th Street, NW. The panel discussion only will be streamed on the National Archives YouTube channel here.

Following the screening, Miles O’Brien, National Science Correspondent for PBS NewsHour, will moderate a panel discussion including: Sarah Holt, Producer, Director, Writer, Addiction; Admiral James “Sandy” Winnefeld and Mary Winnefeld, Co-Founders of SAFE Project; Dr. Nora Volkow, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse at the National Institutes of Health; Dr. Corey Waller, principal at Health Management Associates and chairman of the Legislative Advocacy Committee for the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM); and Martha R. Temple, CEO, Optum Behavioral Health.  This screening is made possible in part by the National Archives and National Archives Foundation, through the generous support of UnitedHealth Group, and by NOVA, through the generous support of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.

The National Archives Museum in Washington, DC, is Metro accessible on the Yellow and Green lines, Archives/Navy Memorial station. For upcoming programs, visit the Calendar of Events online: www.archives.gov/calendar.

Related National Archives resources:

President Eisenhower’s 1954 letter on the problem of drug addiction - to Oveta Culp Hobby, first secretary of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare

The Moyers’ Journey From Addiction To Recovery - Johnson Library public program

Moving Images Relating to Addiction and Mental Health

Records of the Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration

Records of the Drug Enforcement Administration [DEA]