Opioids are some of the most addictive drugs on the market, both on the streets and in doctors’ offices. In Saskatchewan, one out of every four people who take opioids become addicted to them, and Saskatchewan has some of the highest rates of opioid-related hospitalizations and fatalities in Canada. Despite this, the provincial government has been slow to respond to this crisis.

Hooked is an investigation into the opioid crisis in Saskatchewan and the distribution networks, both illegal and legal, that have driven high addiction rates and hundreds of deaths. Our team of reporters travelled across the province to investigate the opioid threat and its consequences.

Investigative research was carried out as part of class assignments for JRN 307 Investigative Research, while the documentary was produced as a class assignment in JRN 306 Intermediate Broadcast.

Media partners for the project are the Regina Leader-Post and the Saskatooon StarPhoenix. Watch these publications for a forthcoming series of print articles arising from the investigation. Student travel for the project was supported in part by the Rawlco Radio Fund, donated to the School by Rawlco Radio.