New England Public Radio

Humans of Northampton

Students turn lens on MA opioid crisis

Jasmeet Singh (left) is a recent graduate of Northampton High School. He's been a member of the "Teen Advocacy Group" since his Junior year.
Jasmeet Singh (left) is a recent graduate of Northampton High School. He’s been a member of the “Teen Advocacy Group” since his Junior year.

A group of high school students from Northampton went to the streets of their hometown to find out about the opioid epidemic in the region. Members of Northampton High School’s Teen Advocacy Group, these students created a display of interviews and photographs to raise awareness. In the style of “Humans of New York”, a photoblog run by photographer Brandon Stanton, “Humans of Northampton” captured everyday people’s views on opioid addiction.

The students spoke with people on the street, law enforcement officers, heath care professionals, and recovering addicts, to get all sides of the story about the opioid epidemic.

Jarrod-page-001
Jarrod Malinowski, 33, is now on his third attempt at recovery. He says he chooses to be open about his addiction in hopes that young people might avoid the same choices he made.

The exhibit was displayed at the Forbes Library in Northampton this June, and can now be seen at the Northampton Survival Center.

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