Fighting for survival l Hidden America: Children of the Mountains PART 3/6

Summary

In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson declared war on poverty in Inez, Kentucky, and four years later, Bobby Kennedy traveled the Appalachian region to understand the struggles of its people. Despite efforts and some improvements, Central Appalachia still faces economic challenges, with low income levels and a lack of opportunities. The region also battles a prescription drug epidemic, impacting families and communities, as seen through the story of Erica Floyd, a young girl trying to help her mother overcome addiction. The narrative highlights the resilience of the people and the ongoing fight against poverty and substance abuse.

Takeaways

• 🏭 Joblessness in the Inés area is primarily due to a lack of industrialization and the decline of the coal mining industry.
• 🎤 Lyndon B. Johnson declared war on poverty in Inez, Kentucky in 1964, and Bobby Kennedy visited to inspire Appalachian pride in 1968.
• 🏫 Investments in new schools and highways have helped some communities flourish, but not all areas have seen the same level of improvement.
• 🏞 Despite some progress, many people in the Appalachian region remain poor, with lower educational attainment and health issues.
• 💰 Coal companies have profited immensely from the region, but the local population has not seen corresponding benefits.
• 💊 Prescription drug abuse is a significant issue in Appalachia, with pharmaceutical companies being criticized for their role.
• 💸 In 2007, Purdue Pharma was fined $635 million for misleading the public about the addictiveness of OxyContin.
• 👮‍♀️ Law enforcement struggles with the drug trade, where prescription drugs like OxyContin have a high street value.
• 👨‍👧 The impact of drug addiction reaches children, with stories of families affected by parental substance abuse.
• 🏠 The collapse of the coal industry has led to abandoned towns and a sense of defeatism among some residents.
• 👧 The story of Erica Floyd illustrates the resilience of children in the face of addiction and the challenges of growing up in such environments.

Q & A

What was the primary cause of joblessness in the Inez area in 1964?

The primary cause of joblessness in the Inez area in 1964 was a general lack of industrialization and losses in the coal mining industry.

Which U.S. President declared war on poverty in Inez, Kentucky?

Lyndon Baines Johnson declared war on poverty in Inez, Kentucky.

How did Bobby Kennedy's visit impact the region according to Bill Gorman?

According to Bill Gorman, Bobby Kennedy's visit led to an influx of money for new schools and highways, which helped many communities flourish.

What is the current economic situation in the depressed counties of Central Appalachia?

Families in the depressed counties of Central Appalachia have an average annual income less than the cost of a new car, which is the second lowest in the nation.

What is the impact of coal companies on the mountains in Central Appalachia?

Coal companies have taken billions in profit out of the mountains, leaving the local population poor, with less educational attainment and often poorer health.

Why has prescription drug abuse become a thriving industry in Appalachia?

Prescription drug abuse has become a thriving industry in Appalachia due to the easy availability of drugs like oxycontin, lortab, and xanax, and the lack of strict regulation or enforcement.

What was the fine imposed on Purdue Pharma in 2007, and for what reason?

Purdue Pharma was fined $635 million in 2007 for deliberately misleading people about the addictiveness of the drug oxycontin.

What is the street value of a pill of oxycontin in Harlan County?

The street value of a pill of oxycontin in Harlan County is such that dealers can make more money in one weekend there than they can in an entire month on the streets of major cities like Chicago, Detroit, or New York.

Who is Erica Floyd and what is her story?

Erica Floyd is a young girl from Harlan County whose mother is battling addiction. Despite her mother's struggles, Erica remains hopeful and tries to help her mother, even walking her home from the streets at night.

What does Erica's story say about the impact of drug addiction on families in Appalachia?

Erica's story illustrates the devastating impact of drug addiction on families in Appalachia, where children are often left to care for addicted parents and struggle with the emotional and physical consequences of addiction.

What is the role of Operation Unite in addressing drug issues in the region?

Operation Unite is a law enforcement and education initiative aimed at addressing drug issues in the region, with Karen Engle as its executive director, focusing on education and enforcement to combat the drug trade.

Outlines

00:00

🏭 Economic Struggles and the Impact of Poverty

The script begins with a historical account of joblessness in Inez, Kentucky, due to a lack of industrialization and the decline of the coal mining industry. It highlights Lyndon B. Johnson's declaration of war on poverty in 1964 and Bobby Kennedy's visit in 1968 to uplift the Appalachian community. The narrative then transitions to the present, where Bill Gorman, once a TV reporter, is now the mayor of Hazzard, reflecting on the changes since Kennedy's visit. Despite improvements in infrastructure and education, the region still faces significant challenges, with depressed counties in Central Appalachia having an average annual income lower than the cost of a new car. The script also discusses the exploitation by coal companies and the subsequent health and educational disparities. It touches on the thriving drug trade, particularly in prescription drugs like oxycontin, which has led to widespread addiction and social decay. The story of Erica Floyd is introduced, a young girl whose mother is in jail for a DUI, and her struggle with the hope of her mother's return and the harsh reality of addiction.

05:02

🏠 The Resilience of a Child Amidst Addiction and Poverty

This paragraph continues the story of Erica Floyd, who is now eleven years old and still grappling with her mother's addiction to prescription drugs. Despite the challenges, Erica maintains a strong bond with her mother and tries to keep hope alive. The script describes the community's struggle with drug addiction, where even public figures are not immune. It also portrays the harsh living conditions, with abandoned buildings and a sense of defeatism. Erica's school counselor notes her determination to improve her grades, and her resilience is evident in her interactions and her will to help her mother. The script ends with a poignant scene where Erica's mother returns home, but the cycle of addiction continues, and Erica is left to navigate her life with a mix of hope and reality. The story serves as a testament to the strength of children in the face of adversity and the pervasive impact of addiction on families and communities.

Keywords

💡Joblessness

Joblessness refers to the state of being without a job or employment. In the context of the video, it is primarily attributed to a lack of industrialization and the decline of the coal mining industry in Inez, Kentucky. The script mentions Lyndon B. Johnson's declaration of a 'war on poverty' in the area, highlighting the severity of unemployment and its impact on the community's livelihood.

💡Industrialization

Industrialization is the process of social and economic change where a human society is transformed from a manual labor and agriculture-based economy to one dominated by industry and machine manufacturing. The video script indicates that the lack of industrialization is a significant factor contributing to joblessness in the region, suggesting that the area has not benefited from the economic growth associated with industrial development.

💡Coal Mining Industry

The coal mining industry involves the extraction of coal from the ground. The script points out that losses in this industry have contributed to the economic struggles in Inez, Kentucky. The decline of coal mining has led to joblessness and has had a ripple effect on the local economy and the well-being of the community.

💡War on Poverty

The 'War on Poverty' was an economic and social program initiated by President Lyndon B. Johnson in the 1960s aimed at reducing poverty in the United States. The video script references this initiative, indicating that it was declared in Inez, Kentucky, to address the area's high poverty rates and lack of economic opportunities.

💡Appalachian Pride

Appalachian Pride refers to the sense of identity and self-worth associated with the Appalachian region and its people. The script mentions Bobby Kennedy's efforts to inspire this pride during his visit to the area, suggesting that a sense of community and regional identity can be a powerful tool in combating poverty and despair.

💡Depression

In the context of the video, 'depression' refers to both economic depression and mental health issues. The script describes economically depressed counties in Central Appalachia with low average annual incomes, as well as the emotional and psychological toll that poverty and lack of opportunities can take on individuals, leading to a sense of defeatism and despair.

💡Prescription Drugs

Prescription drugs are medications that can only be obtained with a prescription from a licensed medical professional. The video script discusses the thriving industry of dealing prescription drugs, particularly in Appalachia, where pharmaceutical companies have been accused of contributing to addiction crises by over-prescribing potent drugs like oxycontin.

💡Addictiveness

Addictiveness refers to the quality of a substance or activity that causes a strong psychological or physiological dependence. The script mentions that Purdue Pharma was fined for misleading people about the addictiveness of oxycontin, indicating that the drug's highly addictive nature has had severe consequences for the community, leading to widespread addiction and related social issues.

💡Operation Unite

Operation Unite is a law enforcement and education initiative aimed at combating the illegal drug trade, particularly prescription drug abuse. The script introduces Karen Engle, the executive director of this initiative, suggesting that organized efforts are being made to address the drug crisis in the region and educate the public about the dangers of drug abuse.

💡Drug Addiction

Drug addiction is a chronic disease characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences. The video script provides various examples of drug addiction in the community, including individuals dealing and using drugs, and the impact on families, such as the story of Erica Floyd, whose mother struggles with addiction, illustrating the devastating effects of drug addiction on individuals and their loved ones.

💡Rehab

Rehab, short for rehabilitation, refers to the process of medical and psychological treatment and support aimed at helping those with addictions to overcome their dependence on drugs or alcohol. The script mentions Erica's mother being forced into rehab by Social Services, indicating that rehabilitation is seen as a potential solution for individuals struggling with addiction, although the success of such interventions can be challenging and is not guaranteed.

Highlights

Joblessness in the Inez area is primarily due to a lack of industrialization and losses in coal mining.

Lyndon B. Johnson declared war on poverty in Inez, Kentucky in 1964.

Bobby Kennedy traveled over 200 miles in two days in 1968 to hear stories of Appalachian families.

Bill Gorman, a former TV reporter, is now the mayor of Hazzard, reflecting on changes after Bobby's visit.

Investments in schools and highways have helped some Appalachian communities flourish.

Appalachian communities in the hills still face poverty, low educational attainment, and health issues.

Central Appalachia has one of the lowest average annual incomes in the nation.

The availability of government resources is a key difference between urban and Appalachian areas.

Prescription drug abuse is a thriving industry in Appalachia, especially for oxycontin.

Purdue Pharma was fined $635 million in 2007 for misleading marketing of oxycontin.

Drug dealers can make more money selling oxycontin in Harlan County than in big cities.

Operation Unite is an initiative combating drug abuse in the region.

Street value of prescription drugs like oxycontin is high, with dealers potentially earning more than in urban areas.

Drug addiction is prevalent in communities where people lack a sense of belonging and future.

Erica Floyd, a young girl, is trying to help her mother battling addiction.

Erica's mother is in and out of rehab, struggling with addiction and the family's situation is unstable.

Despite the challenges, Erica remains hopeful and determined to make the best of her situation.

Transcripts

[Music]

joblessness in the inés area is

attributable primarily to a general lack

of industrialization and losses in the

coal mining industry

inez kentucky 1964 Lyndon Baines Johnson

declares his war on poverty here and

then four years later Bobby Kennedy

inspires Appalachian pride as he travels

over 200 miles in two days to hear the

stories of the families all of us

working together all of us recognizing

our responsibilities and my judgment we

can have some success back then bill

Gorman was a TV reporter walking the

streets of Hazzard with Bobby Kennedy 41

years later he's the mayor of Hazzard

walking the same street with me and

saying it is better this changed a whole

lot after Bobby visited here there's

been money for new schools and highways

which helped many communities flourish

you have two Appalachian today

communities very similar to what one

would find in many suburban places all

across the country but up in the hills

it's a different story

coal companies have taken billions in

profit out of the mountains we end up

making huge sacrifices and then if you

look at the area you see people are poor

the educational attainment is less and

often people are not as healthy so

whatever opportunities supposed to be

there

this hasn't arrived today in the

depressed counties of Central Appalachia

families have an average annual income

less than the cost of a new car the

second lowest in the nation and the

trash a kind of defeatism left on the

lawn but what's happened to prized

I think pride is still there the

difference between urban places and

Appalachia is the availability of

government resources to pick up that

trash mountain people I don't think have

given up but when you when you organize

and you fight and you struggle and

things don't change markedly for you

then you step back and you find a way

for your family to survive and one

thriving industry for survivors dealing

prescription drugs particularly in

Appalachia we've seen it be kind of a

sacrifice area where big pharmaceutical

companies were

the drugs into the area and really get

off fairly scot-free in 2007 Purdue

Pharma the company which markets the

potent oxycontin was fine 635 million

dollars for deliberately misleading

people about the addictiveness of the

drug at the time doctors in the

mountains had been prescribing it for

everything from back pain to arthritis

and while lortab and xanax are often

obtained through Medicaid robbery often

produces the oxycontin for dealers they

can make more money in one weekend here

in Harlan County and they can an entire

month on the big city streets of Chicago

or Detroit or New York

Karen Engle is the executive director of

the law enforcement and education

initiative operation unite we're told

some prescription drugs like xanax and

lortab have a street price from five to

fifteen dollars per pill but oxycontin

even if you can only get it once a month

is the prize so what's the street value

of a pill though of an oxycontin here in

Harlan yes our driver and undercover

detective says the dealer could be

anyone next door it's a babble

I think you see drug addiction in

communities where people don't see a

place for themselves don't see a

trajectory a babysitter deals oxycontin

while a child watches cartoon a mayor

indicted for trading pills for votes so

he pled not guilty or nolo and for every

adult dealing or using drugs a child

begins to drown

five years ago wYMT Mountain News

profiled six hero Erica Floyd on

Mother's Day her mother in jail for the

fourth DUI she drinks sometimes but

that's not right for me Erica kept a

drawer of pictures for when her mom

comes home crossing her fingers every

time the phone rings follow me

everything is all right I believe you

I don't bother s erica then Erica now

eleven years old still trying to help

the mother now battling addiction to

lortab at oxycontin I don't need her out

of this town stone and she'll probably

die any day

mother and daughter talk of love our

lighting chip is like peas and carrots

or an Oscar yeah amid the broken

promises she's all I have and it's more

to me then they need any dry dock

anything in this world and I'm sorry

you've had to go through this no it's

not Social Services forces her mother

into rehab

[Music]

but soon Erika's mother's back home and

sliding again and Erica can be seen

walking alone through her town which is

boarded up abandoned by the coal company

reason I go in these boxes because I

don't want to get away from my mom it's

just like huh

she's just mom I pick her up on the

streets at night sometimes walking her

school counselor tells us Erica's trying

to hang on in classes I hear that you

pulled your math grade up I had an ass

before then I'll bring it up to a C and

then now it's two points away from a

congratulations how about with you and

your mom you know what kind of drugs she

was doing did you see her and I know it

was happening

how'd you know I had a look in her eyes

when she lied to me why do you think she

does it pain misery what would you say

to everybody out there about being a kid

here you gotta make the better of it was

he still alive

they're just they keep on holding on top

when we last saw her her mother's still

struggling with addiction the house

where they had been living burned and

they had to move out but once more erica

was refusing to give up hope I just felt

like it caught from God saying it's a

new start