Radio Boston Special Hour: Opioid Epidemic

In this special hour of Radio Boston, we're looking at the opioid crisis: from cultural depictions, to treatment options, to practical solutions.

The epidemic has touched tens of thousands of people in Massachusetts — that includes friends and family members whose loved ones are struggling with addiction.

It's required an emphasis on treating addiction as a disease and approaching it as a public health issue as we search for solutions.

Maureen Cavanagh, founder of Magnolia New Beginnings and author of "If You Love Me." She tweets @ShiftSUD.

Michael Wilson, director of Family Services for Baystate Recovery Services and author of "Loving Lions." He tweets @sweets_wilson.

Dr. Monica Bharel, Massachusetts Department of Public Health commissioner. The department tweets @MassDPH.

Dr. Ruth Potee, family physician and addiction medicine physician at Valley Medical Group in Greenfield, and medical director for the Franklin County House of Corrections, the Franklin Recovery and Treatment Center and the Pioneer Valley Regional School District. She's also the chair of health care solutions of the Opioid TaskForce of Franklin County, which tweets @OpioidTaskForce.

Jess Tilley, activist and harm-reduction specialist, executive director of the New England Users Union.

Correction: An earlier version of this web post incorrectly spelled Cavanagh's surname. The post has been updated. We regret the error.