VOA – CONNECT
EPISODE 24
((AIR DATE: 06 29 2018))
((TRANSCRIPT))
OPEN ((VO/NAT))
((Banner))
Along the Border
((SOT))
You know, as a parent, you're risking your child's life coming here, okay? So obviously things must be so bad that you'll risk your child's life to get here.
((Animation Transition))
((Banner))
Opioids in America
((SOT))
In the United States, almost 114 people every day lose their lives in the opioid epidemic. A little closer to home in North Carolina here, we lose almost four every day.
((Animation Transition))
Tailor to Presidents
((SOT))
All my life, I started like I was nobody. But I always became somebody, because of my ability to learn, to learn and to do the job the best.
((Open Animation))
BLOCK A
((Banner:
Living America’s Opioid Nightmare))
((ANIMATION W/ GFX, CAPTIONS, PHOTOS))
((Text over video
More than 40,000 Americans die each year from opioid overdoses.
VOA looks at three stories from the epidemic.))
((PKG)) THE DAMAGE DONE -- NASHVILLE: PART 1
((Banner: Chief Bashore: Part 1))
((Producers: Chris Simkins, Jeff Swicord, Jacquelyn De Phillips))
((Camera: Jeff Swicord, Chris Simkins, Marcus Harton))
((Map: Nashville, North Carolina))
((Thomas Bashore, Police Chief, Nashville, North Carolina))
I started my civilian law enforcement career in Rocky Mount, North Carolina 20 years ago. I worked narcotics for almost eight years. About five, six years ago, I became the chief of police in the town of Nashville.
((NATS))
((Thomas Bashore, Police Chief, Nashville, North Carolina))
What I’m used to from a police perspective is, people don’t want to engage in conversation or they turn around and walk the other way. Around here, it's just the opposite.
((NATS))
((Thomas Bashore, Police Chief, Nashville, North Carolina))
Hello! People say hi, and they want to know how your day is.
((Lawyer))
Al Fox.
((Thomas Bashore, Police Chief, Nashville, North Carolina))
Yes, sir.
Small towns have that charm that I really think help a lot.
((Thomas Bashore, Police Chief, Nashville, North Carolina))
Thank you very much.
((Cashier))
Thank you. You have a good one.
((Thomas Bashore, Police Chief, Nashville, North Carolina))
The opioid epidemic here in Nash County has hit us pretty hard. It swept in here pretty rapidly and it has affected a lot of people. Nashville is not a hub for distribution of heroin but we have users here, obviously.
In the United States, almost 114 people every day lose their lives in the opioid epidemic. A little closer to home in North Carolina here, we lose almost four every day. And then in Nash County, we’ve lost a number of individuals.
((NATS))
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Chief Bashore.
((Thomas Bashore, Police Chief, Nashville, North Carolina))
In case you haven't heard of the Hope initiative, in a nutshell, it is an angel program that allows individuals that have a substance use disorder, to come down to our police department. If they have any drugs or paraphernalia on them at any time, I tell them 'turn it over to me. I’m not going to ask any questions.' And we do not charge them with a crime. And we take them in and get them on the path to recovery.
My job as a narcotics officer was that if you were in possession of a drug, and I caught you, I put you in jail. And I thought at that time, and still up until I came to Nashville, that that was the function of the police. That was my job. When I took them to jail, I thought that I wouldn't see them again because they were getting the help that they needed.
This program is a little different approach, obviously, that police are now starting to realize they need to take with individuals that have a relapsing brain disease and it's chronic. So, rather than try to pass the buck and allow somebody else to help those individuals, the police are now doing that.
((Pastor Mike, Nashville, North Carolina))
We thank you Lord for those 300 and some who have come through the Hope Initiative in the last 24 months.
((Thomas Bashore, Police Chief, Nashville, North Carolina))
The candlelight vigil that we did for our two-year anniversary, we gathered at the courthouse steps. It’s one of those things where you look around the crowd and you see a lot of familiar faces and individuals who are in the community working together, so it's not just me against the world. There's a lot of community members that have felt this epidemic touch their lives in some form or fashion.
((Heather Moore, Founder, The Anchor Holds))
We work very closely with the Hope Initiative to be able to help the people that we love.
I'm the mother of four beautiful adult children. Three of them are working toward recovery. I don't want my kids to die from this. I have friends, other mothers that have lost children to this disease. They're my worst fear. I don't want to be that mom.
I just wanted to let you know that Ashley couldn’t make it this evening. But she just wanted me to extend a thank you to the program. She’s thriving in recovery.
We're rural. You know we're little compared to other places, but I guarantee you down this road that I live on, there's probably 1, 2, 3, 6, 7 people that have been touched, have children or have had a family member die of addiction. Just on my road.
We light these candles for our loved ones that are thriving in recovery, for loved ones that are still lost, for loved ones that have passed. Please speak a name, first name only, out loud, so that we all can be with you in this time.
((NATS))
Franny. Michael. Katie and Dillon. Brandon. Craig.
((Heather Moore, Founder, The Anchor Holds))
Amen.
((Thomas Bashore, Police Chief, Nashville, North Carolina))
What led you here today?
((Christina, In Active Addiction))
I’m just tired of life. I’m ready to start over.
((Thomas Bashore, Police Chief, Nashville, North Carolina))
Christina came into the Nashville Police Department with her mother one afternoon and she was obviously needing detox.
((Christina’s Mom))
My biggest fear is getting the phone call that she’s ODed (overdosed), that I'll be making arrangements for a funeral. That’s my biggest fear.
((Thomas Bashore, Police Chief, Nashville, North Carolina))
When an individual that has a substance abuse disorder wants to seek help, many times it’s a very confusing process to get that help. They come into the Nashville police department at any time, seven days a week, 24 hours a day, and ask for our assistance. And so what we do is a short intake with them to determine what their drug of choice is, to find out a little about their history of their use and then we take them to the hospital.
((Thomas Bashore, Police Chief, Nashville, North Carolina))
So tell me what drugs are you using?
((Christina, Heroin Addict))
Mostly roxies (oxycondone). Starting in January, it got real bad, using heroin and coke (cocaine) and some meth (amphetamines).
((Thomas Bashore, Police Chief, Nashville, North Carolina))
It’s a very hands-on, person-centered approach to things. It would be easy just to drop them off at the hospital and say 'there’s the door. Go inside, and someone will help you.'
((Thomas Bashore, Police Chief, Nashville, North Carolina))
What do you know about this program?
((Christina, In Active Addiction))
I don’t really know a lot. Mom’s told me some.
((Thomas Bashore, Police Chief, Nashville, North Carolina))
It’s a voluntary program when individuals come through the Hope Initiative. And so we let them know right up front that we’re not holding them against their will. It really is up to them to see the process through but we’ll be there to help them as they go through that process.
((Thomas Bashore, Police Chief, Nashville, North Carolina))
What we're going to be discussing with you is what you want to do after detox. Long term treatment, residential treatment, is one aspect that we recommend.
((Christina’s Mom))
Absolutely.
((Thomas Bashore, Police Chief, Nashville, North Carolina))
And so, I don't know, I mean I'll ask you this question. How long are you willing to go for?
((Christina, In Active Addiction))
As long as I need to.
((Thomas Bashore, Police Chief, Nashville, North Carolina))
Okay. Brain science says that it takes a minimum of 90 to 120 days, three or four months, for your brain to start to function the way it did pre-use.
((Christina, In Active Addiction))
Right.
((Thomas Bashore, Police Chief, Nashville, North Carolina))
You’re not going to be able to do it in 30 days. In order for you to get to a point in your life where you're in a good, long-term, sustained recovery of 80 plus percent being successful, takes five years. So, this is going to be something you're going to struggle with for a while, but every day is going to get better for you, okay? And all the things that you have lost will come back. Okay.
((Thomas Bashore, Police Chief, Nashville, North Carolina))
Of the 360 now that have come through our program, I know that five have died. I’ve been to two funerals myself. What I think about is that if the program hadn’t started two years ago, how many more that would be.
((Thomas Bashore, Police Chief, Nashville, North Carolina))
Hunter was one of the first ones. And I got to know him fairly well over the course of the time that he was in the program.
North Carolina loses almost three or four every day, and so those numbers haven't dissipated at all over the last couple years that we've been running this program. You know, we continue to try and hopefully we’ll reduce the number of Hunters that end up in cemeteries.
((NATS))
((Thomas Bashore, Police Chief, Nashville, North Carolina))
Hello, Nashville Police Department. Hey, how are you?
((Thomas Bashore, Nashville, NC Police Chief))
We get them checked into the ED (emergency department), into a room. They get a behavioral health assessment done, and then if they meet criteria, they go into a detox facility.
((NATS))
Could you spread your hands.
((Thomas Bashore, Police Chief, Nashville, North Carolina))
We've had individuals come through our program. We’ve sent them to detox. They decided at that point they didn't want to follow through with their recovery. They've returned to the streets. Returned to using again. Returned to a life of crime.
((Thomas Bashore, Police Chief, Nashville, North Carolina))
Mom’s here.
((Christina’s Mom))
Got the shakes.
((Thomas Bashore, Police Chief, Nashville, North Carolina))
Over the past two years, there been many days where I just want to throw my hands up and say, this fight is too big for me. But then the sun comes up the next day, and somebody else calls and asks for help, and it's very hard for me to say no.
((Christina’s Mom))
That’s part of it, ain’t it?
((Text over video
This text needs to be written on video:
Living America’s Opioid Nightmare
continues on VOA Connect in the weeks to come))
TEASE ((VO/NAT))
Coming up…..
((Banner))
Child Separations
((SOT))
I knew that the kids were being taken away and housed somewhere, but to say it’s in my own neighborhood, it just, kind of, set me back for a while.
BREAK ONE
BUMP IN ((ANIM))
BLOCK B
((Banner: Immigration))
((ANIMATION W/ GFX, CAPTIONS, PHOTOS))
((Pop up Banners:
The Trump Administration adopted a “zero-tolerance” policy, filing criminal charges against anyone crossing the border from Mexico illegally.
Thousands of children were separated from their parents in the process.
The majority of Americans disapproved of the separations.
The president ended them.
Some children have been reunited with their parents.
Others remain in shelters.
((PKG)) SEPARATED FAMILIES / SOUTH TEXAS VALUES
((Banner: Reaction from the Border))
((Reporter: Ramon Taylor))
((Camera: Ramon Taylor, Aline Barros))
((Map: Rio Grande Valley, Texas))
((Larry Genuchi, Retired Teacher))
I don’t know how many times I've pulled into here. I'd bring cigarettes back in the old days when I smoked. You'd pay duty on them.
I understand the idea of stopping illegal people. I’m really more concerned about the drugs than I am illegal people, I really am. I taught children who came across every day who would talk about gunfire that they would hear at night in their homes, and that frightened me. That frightened me. And my wife and I have not been across in a long, long time because of that very reason. But as far as the rest of it goes, I can’t say that I do. I’m not real happy with the parents for having risked their lives, but I tell them I understand. I really do. But I’m worried about those children.
((Locator ID or Banner: US Border Patrol Processing Center, known as Ursula))
((Ramon Montoya, Mechanical Engineering Student))
If you look over here, that’s Ursula right there. There’s hundreds of kids here, suffering things that they might never get over. You know, they're going to be traumatized for life, because of some decisions that a couple of politicians are making.
You know, we have so many examples in the past of, of times in our world’s history where people have been victim to these kinds of injustices, and now we're the ones causing the harm.
((Larry Genuchi, Retired Teacher))
You know, as a parent, you're risking your child's life coming here, okay? So obviously things must be so bad, that you'll risk your child’s life to get here. And I understand that. I’m a parent and I’m also a grandfather. And I’m telling you, taking away children, putting them in danger, boy, it goes against everything in my body.
((Ramon Montoya, Mechanical Engineering Student))
It’s such a beautiful area we live in here. It’s the fusion of two cultures, of the American and the Mexican culture. It’s where the Tex meets the Mex. I wish it wasn't this way, because this place has a lot to offer, and it’s sad to see it disgraced by something like this.
((PKG)) SEPARATED FAMILIES / YOUTH FOR TOMORROW
((Banner: The Children Nearby))
((Reporter/Camera: Deepak Dobhal))
((Map: Bristow, Virginia))
((Gery Ryan, Retired Telecommunication Company Employee))
I was shocked to hear that the kids were being shipped here in Bristow. It, kind of, made it real to me, very close and very personal, to the fact that it brought it to life more than anything. I mean, I knew that the kids were being taken away and housed somewhere, but to say it’s in my own neighborhood, it just, kind of, set me back for a while.
Youth for Tomorrow is approximately 2.5 miles (4 km) from the house. I drive by it often when I go out to the grocery stores. I do believe that the Youth for Tomorrow is a place that they will get some help and guidance. But, for me, I mean, it bothers me but you just have to keep going. There’s nothing that you can, there is nothing that I know that I can do to stop it.
((Dan Ryan, Defense Contractor Employee))
I don’t have a reaction really to them being in the neighborhood. Once the kids are separated, if it becomes a fact that they’re separated from their parents and they wind up being here, then I guess this facility is as good as any.
I do advocate things that prevent us getting to this situation, getting to the point where we have thousands of people at the border trying to get in. I think we have to respect the humanitarian needs that these people have, but we have to maintain our borders. It’s just, we have to do that. I’m struggling a little bit here. I don’t know a simple answer. There’s an old saying that ‘sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind’. There are all kinds of sayings about tough love. And this is a case where there is an element of toughness is needed with respect to administering the borders. And we have to love our neighbor. We have to have in mind the humanitarian interest of those people that need help. Not easy.
TEASE ((VO/NAT))
Coming up…..
((Banner))
A New Life
((SOT))
I was taken when I was very young in Auschwitz. My family I lost. They died. The Germans killed them.
BREAK TWO
BUMP IN ((ANIM))
BLOCK C
((Banner: ))
((PKG)) PIA -- MARTIN GREENFIELD
((Banner: Suited Up))
((Executive Producer: Marsha James))
((Camera: Kaveh Rezaei))
((Map: New York, New York City))
((Stills Courtesy: Martin Greenfield))
((Martin Greenfield, Holocaust Survivor, Tailor))
To be a tailor takes you a long time to learn everything. When somebody comes to buy something, I know how to measure him. And I know when I fit him, he gets a perfect suit, because I know every step of the way how to measure a person.
My name is Martin Greenfield and I am the tailor for all presidents.
I was born in the Carpathian Mountains in Czechoslovakia. I was taken when I was very young to Auschwitz. My family I lost. They died. The Germans killed them. It was not an easy trip for me.
They gave me different kinds of jobs, but I always tried to do my job, so I could survive. Because my father always said, “think about surviving.”
First time, I had a lot of trouble because in those days I was so young I didn’t know how to use the needle and thread. I eventually wound up with one shirt that I was able to save and I was able to wear. And that shirt, I wore it all through the concentration camp.
I arrived in America in 1947. I started to work here, as a boy, as a floor boy. I always learned the trade. So, they promoted me, promoted me until I became in charge of the place. We made suits for many, many people, many famous people. And presidents I dressed. President Clinton, President Obama came to see me. He came on a Saturday. I had to spend the whole day with him. I could sit here the rest of the day to tell you how many people we made suits for.
In order to create a business, you have to learn how to do things right, and to teach your sons to do the same thing and they are better than me. My two sons, Jay and Todd, because of them, I am still here working. Otherwise why would I be here.
I honor the people because without the people I am nobody. I have employees that come from every country that you could mention. I don’t care we have black, white, and this. I don’t see no color in people.
All my life, I started like I was nobody. But I always became somebody, because of my ability to learn, to learn and to do the job the best. I never thought about the success. I am always happy every day that I have still health to come in to work here.
((PKG)) BRAZILIAN / AMERICAN
((Banner: A Long Journey))
((Reporter: Aline Barros))
((Camera: June Soh))
((Adapted by: Zdenko Novacki))
((Map: Baltimore, Maryland))
((Pop-up Banner
Kelly Oliveira became a U.S. citizen through MAVNI, the military's now-closed program for expedited citizenship))
((Kelly Oliveira, New Citizen))
I’ve always think myself as an American. American by heart, so today was just the day to make it official.
((Jim McKinney, Spokesman, U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services))
We are here for a naturalization ceremony, where 28 candidates for citizenship will become new U.S. citizens and it is extra special because it is Flag Day, the day that the United States adopted our country’s flag. And we are here at the Star-Spangled Banner House where that flag was actually made.
((Kelly Oliveira, New Citizen))
I had someone telling me about a program through the military, it’s called MAVNI program, in which, if you serve, you’ll get citizenship through that program. So, I went to a recruiting center and got more information about it, and since Portuguese is one of the languages that they, you know, were looking for, so I, you know, enlisted in the military, in the Army, so that is how I got my citizenship.
It has been a long journey, like, 13 years, so of course, there were moments that I was thinking, oh man, should I continue waiting? Should I wait? Should I go? But I have a lot of friends, I have a lot of support from my family. If you really want something, you have to work hard. There are sacrifices that you have to make, and one of those sacrifices is being away from my family, not being able to go see them, but, you know, I just had to keep thinking about what is the good that is coming. I just had, you know, I learned to have patience. So, patience is one thing that I learned to have, and it paid off, it paid off.
((Lauren Schroeder, Friend))
I don’t think I’d be able to do it because it’s, I mean, it’s been a long journey. It’s been a struggle and it’s been like a nightmare.
((Jim McKinney, Spokesman, U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services))
These candidates, today, are going to take the oath of allegiance, the oath that says that they are here as an American, ready to defend the country and to participate in the democracy that we have here. They'll get their nationalization certificate and that will be the official moment that they are U.S. citizens today.
((Kelly Oliveira, New Citizen))
I am very proud of being a part of the military. I am serving the country that you know I learned to love and that I adopted as my own. The sky is the limit for me now. It is just the beginning of my new journey. Now, I am going be going to basic training in a couple of months and I am very excited about that too.
CLOSING ((ANIM))
(Join) Facebook, (Follow) Twitter, (Watch) YouTube
BREAKTHREE
BUMP IN ((ANIM))
SHOW ENDS
