Watch On-Demand Archive of New York State's Covid-19 and The Overdose Epidemic

Watch the On-Demand Archive of this Live Forum: WXXI News’ Evan Dawson hosts a statewide discussion on how the pandemic and the response have exacerbated the ongoing overdose epidemic.

Medical experts, government officials, non-profit organizations, and New York residents will share how the pandemic and the response have exacerbated the ongoing overdose epidemic in New York State Public Media Special Report: COVID-19 and the Overdose Epidemic, aired Thursday, February 16 at 8 p.m. on WXXI-TV and on PBS stations across New York State. 

Watch the On-Demand Archive from the Live Forum that took place February 16 at 8:00 PM

WXXI News’ Evan Dawson hosts. Expert guests included:

Chinazo O. Cunningham, M.D., commissioner of the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports

Indu Gupta, M.D., former commissioner of health at the Onondaga County Health Department, and former co-chair of the Onondaga County Drug Task Force

Elaine Hill, Ph.D., associate professor of public health sciences and economics at the University of Rochester Medical Center

Avi Israel, president and founder of Save the Michaels of the World, an organization that raises awareness of prescription and other drug addictions

About the New York State Public Media Overdose Epidemic is part of an initiative funded by the New York State Education Department that has called on NYS public media organizations to create a multi-platform project to help address mental health and addiction throughout the state. The project includes broadcast offerings, online content, and special events, like this screening. The NYS stations will also work to create comprehensive digital teaching tools, online learning, and essential instructional content.