Local Documentary "On Island" Now Streaming

 

This week the Martha’s Vineyard Substance Use Disorder Coalition premieres "On Island," a documentary about our community coming together to face the growing challenges of substance use. Daily life on Martha’s Vineyard offers unique social, economic, and emotional challenges that linger throughout the summer and the off-season, and may exacerbate a susceptibility to substance misuse that can entrap anyone. For those already struggling with the stigma of addiction, coupled with the more recent brutal pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic, that snare can become deadly.

On Island is a documentary film designed to shed light on these year-round challenges and mobilize this unique community to proactively embrace positive change. The filmmaker's goal is to encourage a community-led response to build a culture that seeks to reduce substance misuse and de-stigmatize addiction, as well as prevent or delay first use among island youth, and also recognize the imperative to give a voice to those directly affected, providing access to available support resources, and inspiring others to collaborate in constructively addressing this growing peril. The film is now streaming for free on www.onislandmv.org.

"On Island" was created by PGP (The Public Good Projects), a public health nonprofit, with support from Martha’s Vineyard Substance Use Disorder Coalition. Funding for On Island comes from PGP and the Peter and Elizabeth Tower Foundation.

The Martha’s Vineyard Substance Use Disorder Coalition's mission is to raise awareness, bridge services gaps, and decrease stigma of substance use disorder through education, prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts. Visit their website for a list of resources for people with substance use disorder and in recovery, to help you or someone you know get needed support:
https://onislandmv.org/resources