The Damage Done
  • +Episodes
    • +Healing Allison
      • Episode 1
      • Episode 2
      • Episode 3
      • Episode 4
      • Episode 5
    • +A Chief for Hope
      • Episode 1
      • Episode 2
      • Episode 3
      • Episode 4
      • Episode 5
    • +The Unwanted
      • Episode 1
      • Episode 2
      • Episode 3
      • Episode 4
      • Episode 5
      • Episode
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Miami, Fla.

Healing Allison | Episode 1

In Miami, Allison Norland fights to stay clean after rehab — and regain full custody of the daughter she lost while using opioids.

More videos

Healing Allison | Episode 5

Allison edges closer to her goal of being suboxone free as she and John prepare for what could be a final appearance in Judge Cohen's family court.

Healing Allison | Episode 4

Years of drug tests, antidepressants and dosing on the opioid replacement drug suboxone take an exhausting toll on Allison.

Healing Allison | Episode 3

Allison and John regain full custody of their daughter Sawyer, but it doesn't salve Allison's insecurities — or nightmares about her first child's death.

About the Project

Assigned to cover the opioid epidemic, VOA journalists Chris Simkins and Jeff Swicord decided to take an intimate look at the struggles of Americans dealing with the problem every day. Their three main characters – a recovering addict, a volunteer street counselor, and small town police chief – along with their locations – Miami, Philadelphia and Nashville, N.C. – offer a multilayered portrait of this national health emergency as it plays out on the ground. Episodes in each story will appear here, on VOA Connect and VOA’s YouTube channel.

Credits

Reporting and videography: Chris Simkins and Jeff Swicord

Producer/video editor: Jacquelyn De Phillips

Graphics: Chin Soo Park

Drone video: Marcus Harton

Managing editor: Tom Detzel

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