B
Beth Macy
Beth Macy is the author of Dopesick, a powerful look at the opioid crisis. She's known for her deeply researched nonfiction that shines a light on important American issues.
Dopesick
This book traces the devastating opioid epidemic in America, starting with the introduction of OxyContin in 1996. It follows the spread of addiction through struggling communities, particularly in Central Appalachia, and examines the pharmaceutical industry's role in the ongoing national crisis.
Beth Macy published a subsequent book titled Raising Lazarus which continues her reporting on the opioid crisis by focusing on the individuals and organizations working to provide treatment and support to those affected.
The miniseries is an adaptation that incorporates the book's factual reporting while utilizing fictionalized characters and composite figures to dramatize the events and the experiences of those involved in the crisis.
The book grew out of the author's long-term journalistic work in central Appalachia, which she began while reporting for The Roanoke Times and continued through her investigation into the specific impact of OxyContin on local communities.