South Dakota Focus: The Opioid Epidemic: Thursday, Oct. 12, 8pm (7 MT)

According to the World Health Organization, two of every 50 deaths in the United States in 2015 was drug-related, while a survey from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration indicates over 97 million people took prescription painkillers in 2015 – 12 million without a doctor’s direction. Addiction to prescription painkillers has spawned a massive market for street heroin and fentanyl, a synthetic opioid.

On South Dakota Focus, host Stephanie Rissler and guests will discuss how the epidemic is affecting communities in South Dakota and solutions being undertaken and considered by officials.

Watch: Live via TV, online or social media:

TV: SDPB1

Digital: www.SDPB.org/live

Facebook: Facebook@SDPBNews

Engage: Submit your questions and comments during each live broadcast:

Phone: 1-877-456-0766

Email: SDFocus@sdpb.org

Facebook: Facebook@SDPBNews