New Film ‘Oxyana’ Highlights Prescription Drug Abuse in WV

July 25, 2012

Sean Dunne is an up-and-coming documentary filmmaker whose new film will focus on the huge prescription drug problem experienced by the residents of Oceana, West Virginia, a small coal-mining town. Called Oxyana, Dunne is seeking funding assistance through the site Kickstarter, in an attempt to release the film he believes will not only aid the residents of the town but help others who struggle with prescription drug addiction to find the rehab help they need to heal.

It’s a cause that spoke to many. Dunne had a monetary goal of $50,000 – and he reached it through the help of more than 400 supporters. Perhaps it is the wide-ranging effects of the prescription drug addiction epidemic that encouraged people to contribute to the making of Dunne’s film.

Dunne Discovered Oceana WV on a Road Trip With a Friend

Dunne and his friend Jonny Corndawg were driving from Virginia to Tennessee and decided to take in the scenery of the Appalachian Mountains in West Virginia. The friends were looking for a place to stop and spend the night, and Corndawg was familiar with Oceana, WV so they pulled into town. The duo chatted with locals who shared stories about how prescription drug addiction had torn the town apart in recent years. During their stay, Dunne heard story after story that had one thing in common: the ill effects of a deadly prescription drug addiction epidemic.

The stories stuck with Dunne, who decided to return a few months later and investigate the situation further. After a second trip that revealed even more tales that were just as jaw-dropping as the first ones, Dunne and his colleagues decided to make the town’s experience with prescription drug addiction the focus of their next documentary.

Prescription Drug Addiction Is a Subject Close to Home for Dunne

Dunne’s own father abused painkillers for years, and Dunne watched as his dad lost everything to the addiction: family, close friends, career and self-respect. According to Dunne, his father was a dependable family man until he developed an addiction to prescription painkillers given to him to treat back pain. Luckily, Dunne’s dad eventually found successful treatment and now has five years of sobriety under his belt. With the release of Oxyana, Dunne hopes that others who developed prescription drug dependence the same way that his father did will be able to find the help they need to kick the habit completely.

If you or someone you care about has a prescription drug problem, you are not alone. We can tell you about our top-notch treatment program that can provide you with everything you need to recover. Pick up the phone and call us today.