FGPG wrote and produced a first-of-its kind film that was played in schools across West Virginia to tackle the fentanyl crisis and opioid epidemic head on. The film talks with real teens, DEA scientists, EMT’s, drug dealers, and parents who lost a child to fentanyl poisoning to uncover the truths about these deadly drugs and how and why teens are exposed to them.
CHALLENGE:
FGPG first partnered with GameChanger to launch their efforts to tackle the fentanyl and opioids crisis in West Virginia through a virtual experience during the pandemic. With this follow up initiative, the challenge was to get under-the-hood to what is really up with why kids are using these drugs, and dying of them way too often.
- We needed to be authentic to what teen kids care about. Without preaching, we needed to be relatable and keep them interested when they would be watching this at school, in auditoriums, and with their parents.
- We had to be informative, educational, and truthful in a way that teens AND parents could grasp
- We were taking on a very heavy topic, and wanted to give viewers multiple perspectives – which meant getting the DEA, police, parents, and even the prison system on board to share the story from every angle.
IDEA:
We created a film that was the perfect length to be played during one period of class, or during an auditorium all school presentation, and made sure it was filmed and edited in a way that would keep teens and parents engaged during every minute of our film. Our approach got to the heart of this very important topic by being the first film to actually ask the kids who are facing the crisis what they think about the problem, what questions they have, and how they have been impacted by it. In many ways, beyond our own scripting, we looked to let the kids at the heart of the issue direct the details of how and what we would focus on.
Leveraging Meg Bulger, a former West Virginia basketball star who was relatable to our audience, we had honest conversations with nine teens that represented a mix of schools across WV. Through candid conversations, Q&A, and visual educational metaphors, we uncovered the truths and daily reality teens are faced with when it comes pills, fentanyl, and the opioid crisis. As the film unfolds, we seek to answer their questions and challenge perceptions by talking with DEA scientists, drug dealers, undercover police, EMT’s, and parents that lost a child to fentanyl poisoning.
As the film reveals, this is a multi-layered issue, and in West Virginia nearly every kid we interviewed knew someone who had died or almost died from fentanyl and/or opioids. We also reveal the business behind the drugs. The speed with which this has become so rooted in schools. And the reality that good kids are dying every day because they thought they were taking something else, that was unfortunately laced with fentanyl.
RESULTS:
- The film has played in schools across West Virginia and has garnered praise and visibility by local and national news
- The film was featured at the yearly GameChanger fund raising gala, helping to drive more donations
- The United States DEA has helped to promote the film
- The GameChanger initiative continues to grow and gain visibility as a new standard for taking on anti-drug prevention and education in schools in West Virginia, with interest from other states across the country.
AWARDS:
- Official Selection Award for “Best Documentary Short” and “Best Original Short” at Oniros Festival
- Selected to be a part of “The Impact DOCS Awards”