“Dopesick” is an eight-part drama miniseries created by Danny Strong based on the non-fiction book Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors and the Drug Company that Addicted America by Beth Macy. I watched the first episode last night and thought the story, acting, and message were terrific.
I became interested in the subject matter – the Sackler family’s production and marketing of OxyContin – after reading an article about it in “The New Yorker” several years ago. At that time an investigation had just started of the Sackler claims that this painkilling drug was only one percent addictive. You’ll have to watch the miniseries on Hulu to see if those claims were true and how OxyContin use affected some communities in rural America. So will I. The second episode goes live tomorrow, Wednesday, October 27, 2021.
What makes this series even more watchable is the great cast – lead by Michael Keaton who plays a rural doctor who starts giving the pain killer to one of his female patients who had been wounded while working in the coal mines. Other cast members include: Peter Sarsguaard, Michael Stulberg, Will Poulter, John Hoogenakker, Kaitlyn Dever, and Rosario Dawson.
Another interesting fact is that Danny Strong – creator, writer, and producer who comes from my hometown, Manhattan Beach, California – is the same age as my son. They went to grade school together. It’s good to see a home boy become successful and make such important productions. Congratulations Danny!!
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