HYPE to present “Chasing the Dragon”

The Hancock Community Coalition and HYPE (Hancock Youth for Positive Efforts) will host a viewing of the documentary Chasing the Dragon during a special event at the Hancock High School Performing Arts Center on Feb. 21, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.  HYPE is a coalition of local students that addresses substance abuse and other social issues. It was formed in 2016. HCCC/HYPE is a partnership with Hancock Resource Center.

“Chasing the Dragon” is a 45-minute documentary that was produced by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency in 2016.  The film focuses on opioid addiction and includes several first-hand accounts of opioid use and its consequences.  DEA Director Chuck Rosenberg called the film “a wakeup call.”  “The numbers are appalling,” Rosenberg said. “Tens of thousands of Americans die every year in drug-related deaths. More than half are from opioid or heroin overdoses. I hope this documentary servers as a wakeup call.”

Local non-profit groups will provide additional information and resources in the auditorium lobby.  There will be an afterword by Kathleen Van Buskirk, Assistant U.S. Attorney.

 Hancock County Superintendent of Education Alan Dedeaux said the event will benefit both students and the public.   “It is extremely important to educate the community about the dangers associated with opioid abuse,” Dedeaux said. “It is going to take everyone working together to get this information out there.”

“This is the most important thing you will do for your child this year” said Rhonda Rhodes.  “It’s important for parents to understand how easily this can happen to their family.”

The Hancock County Community Coalition is a grassroots group of citizens with a mission is to promote a safe, drug-free, non-violent community in collaboration with youth who pro-actively support responsible and informed decisions. For more information, visit believethehypehancock.org. 

​Citizens of any age are invited to get involved with this community-wide coalition to address the substance use issues.  Hancock Community Coalition host meetings on the second Tuesday of each month. For more information about the coalition contact Brittany Perkins at 228-463-8887 or email her at HYPE@hancockhrc.org.