HEROINOHIO

Over the four years of filming HEROINOHIO, I lost more than 17 high school friends to overdose. In the 10 years it took to complete, I lost more. We shared the same circles, partied together, came from similar backgrounds and grew up in fatherless homes. But while our upbringing were intertwined, our paths diverged, and their struggles became fatal. At the time, 'opiate epidemic' had yet to make national headlines, and fentanyl was not yet a household name as the deadly drug it is today. But even then, the overdoses had started—claiming lives and devastating families. Springfield, Ohio, my hometown back yard, was emerging as an epicenter of the crisis. In the documentary, we follow twin brothers Mike and Chuck Rollins, former addicts who now work in addiction recovery. They know firsthand the struggles and vulnerabilities of addiction, as well as the challenges of reintegrating after treatment. For many addicts, returning to neighborhoods plagued by drugs and abandoned houses that serve as drug dens makes relapse almost inevitable. Through their nonprofit, Gemini Reliance, the Rollins brothers purchase dilapidated homes and transform them into safe, sober living spaces for those in recovery. Their efforts have proven effective, yet sobriety remains a constant battle. The story of HEROINOHIO begins as a profile of these two brothers but soon unfolds into a raw account of a fight against the powerful grip of addiction, revealing the relentless resilience required to reclaim one’s life. After years of struggling with the edit, life, and navigating the strange world of documentary filmmaking. The film was gearing up to do well on the film festival circuit, but the world premiere was canceled due to COVID, leaving it on the shelf for years waiting on distribution. I decided to put the film on YouTube for free. Hopefully, it can save at least one more life. If you need help contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) Take it one day at a time. Thank you.