Covering the Opioid Epidemic
In spring semester, we are continued our coordinated coverage series with Covering the Opioid Epidemic. Partnering with Metro Drug Coalition, students across The Media Center and the School of Journalism and Media’s master’s program reported on this important issue affecting the Appalachian region. Students produced podcast series, special television programs, photo stories, and other types of original reporting. You can browse through their coverage below.
Covering the Opiate Epidemic
Coverage from The Daily Beacon
Nicholas Wright was selected as The Daily Beacon’s Opioid Beat Reporter for the Spring 2025 semester. During this time, he produced more than a dozen pieces for the Beacon, covering topics ranging from new treatment options for opioid addiction to the correlation between homelessness and opioid misuse. Wright said, “insert quote here.”
Read some of his work below:
Coverage from The Volunteer Channel
Graduate Student Coverage
Graduate students in the School of Journalism and Media’s master’s program spent the full academic year researching and reporting on the opioid epidemic in Appalachia. Their work culminated in documentaries, podcasts, photo essays, and other forms of reporting.
Seeds of Hope: Addiction in Appalachia
This documentary, produced by Afton Pratt, Isabella Cartwright and Seth Reynolds, tackles the stigma surrounding the opioid epidemic in Northeast Tennessee. The documentary is set to air on WBIR’s streaming platform in October of 2025.
Echoes of Addiction
This podcast series, produced by Rylie West, looks at the story of one individual’s road to recovery through personal testimonies from himself and his family members.
12 Steps to Susannah’s
In this photo essay, Erin Tudryn showcases Susannah’s House, a Knoxville-based non-profit organization for mothers recovering from opioid addiction.
More Coverage from our Graduate Students
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Journalism and Media student work
Social journalism
Students in Assistant Professor Mustafa Oz’s senior-level social journalism course will be creating a guide for distribution on social media, including Instagram, TikTok, and X.
Multimedia reporting
Students in numerous sections of multimedia reporting will be doing reporting assignments connected to the elections. Some of these assignments include voter and candidate profiles, explainers, and Election Day breaking news coverage.