Immediately following the "Chasing the Dragon" documentary, Dr. Mishka Terplan will give a presentation entitled “Addiction: What brain science can tell us about prevention and treatment.”
The event is being held at the Goochland High School Auditorium (3250 River Road West) on Wednesday, October 25th at 6 p.m. A health fair and raffle drawings will take place prior to the 6:30 p.m. screening. Food will be available for purchase from a food truck. Free popcorn and bottled water will be available. The event is open to the public and admission is free. The community is encouraged to attend.
Chasing the Dragon: "The Life of an Opiate Addict"
To help combat the growing epidemic of prescription drug and heroin abuse, the FBI and the DEA produced this documentary aimed at educating students and young adults about the dangers of addiction. Chasing the Dragon: “The Life of an Opiate Addict,” is a 45 minute film profiling the stories of several people who either abused opiates or had family members become addicted. The film includes strong language, intense content, and graphic images.
The documentary also features interviews with medical and law enforcement professionals discussing the effects of addiction and how this epidemic is unlike anything seen before in the U.S. Our goal is to reach youth before any addiction can take hold.
Chasing the Dragon: "The Life of an Opiate Addict" extended trailer
Dr. Mishka Terplan
Dr. Mishka Terplan is a professor in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Psychiatry and Associate Director in Addiction Medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University. He is dual board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and in addiction medicine. His clinical, research and advocacy interests lie along the intersection of reproductive and behavioral health. He is the Addiction Medicine Consultant for the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services and a consultant for the National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare.
Dr. Terplan has published over 60 peer-reviewed articles with recent emphasis on health disparities, stigma, and women’s access to intervention/treatment centers. He has spoken before the United States Congress and has participated in expert panels at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) on screening tools for substance use among pregnant women, maternal addiction and neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS).
