Southamptons Arts Center Presents ‘The Crime of the Century’ Film + Panel in Collaboration with Blossom Sustainable Development
In honor of National Recovery Month and in an effort to raise awareness of one of the most critical threats to communities around the world, Southampton Arts Center [SAC – southamptonartscenter.org] will screen The Crime of the Century, in collaboration with Blossom Sustainable Development and Judge Deborah Kooperstein (retired) on Saturday, September 24 at 6 p.m. The film shines a necessary light on the over-production, reckless distribution, and mass abuse of synthetic opiates. Preceding the film, a panel discussion will take place with several experts and members of Shinnecock Nation. Find details and tickets at southamptonartscenter.org/film.
“With September being National Recovery Month and a time where we acknowledge National Suicide Awareness, I think the showing of the movie The Crime of the Century will provide greater insight regarding prescription drug misuse and how it has negatively impacted entire communities,” shares Meesha Johnson, Blossom Sustainable Development MSW CASAC-T Program Director and SAMHSA Tribal Opioid Response (TOR) Project. “I also believe this event will provide viewers with a greater understanding about how to effectively address this epidemic, and maybe, just maybe, this will also confirm the necessity to return to the ways of our ancestors who truly relied on Mother Earth and her resources to deal with ailments of all kinds. I would also like to thank the staff at Southampton Arts Center for providing us with the venue and the safe-space where we can talk openly about an issue that has the potential to impact us all in some way.”
The Crime of the Century is a searing indictment of Big Pharma and the political operatives and government regulations that enable over-production, reckless distribution, and mass abuse of synthetic opiates. Exploring the origins, extent, and fallout of one of the most devastating public health tragedies of our time, with half a million deaths from overdoses this century alone, the film reveals that America’s opioid epidemic is not a public health crisis that came out of nowhere.
Panelists Meesha Johnson and Judge Deborah Kooperstein of counsel to the firm Messina, Perillo & Hill LLP will also be joined by Shinnecock Nation Member Micah Hunter and Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC), and instructor at the Molloy University Addiction Studies Program Jim Mullan.
“Opioid and alcohol addiction affects our entire community,” shares SAC board member and programming advisor Elyn Kronemeyer. “By screening The Crime of the Century and presenting a panel discussion of experts, Southampton Arts Center looks forward to facilitating a dialogue which will contribute to greater understanding of the issues and solutions for healing. We are grateful to Micah Hunter, Meesha Johnson, Judge Deborah Kooperstein, and Jim Mullen for their participation in this event.”
Tickets are free and are available at southamptonartscenter.org/film. This event will take place indoors in the SAC theatre.
SAC continues to follow all New York State and CDC guidelines for all programs and events. Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test is required for all indoor events.
Select Southampton Arts Center programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature. FIGURES TRANSFORMED is presented by Sylvia Hemingway and Lana Jokel, with media partners Purist and WLIW-FM. FILM @ SAC is sponsored by Brown Harris Stevens. Wellness @ SAC media partner is The Purist. ECO Programs at SAC are made possible by Dorothy & Michael Reilly. Financial Literacy Partner: J.P. Morgan Private Bank. General operating support is provided by Bank of America. The SAC Summer Stage 2022 is sponsored by Primary Care and Reproductive Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian.
ABOUT SOUTHAMPTON ARTS CENTER
Southampton Arts Center is committed to community building through the arts. We present and produce inspiring, inclusive, socially and regionally relevant programs across all disciplines – welcoming, connecting, and collaborating with the diverse members of New York’s East End community and beyond. SAC is a not for profit 501(c)(3) organization.
For more information about Southampton Arts Center, located at 25 Jobs Lane, Southampton, New York 11968, visit southamptonartscenter.org or call 631.283.0967. Follow SAC on Facebook and Instagram @southamptonartscenter. For press inquiries, contact Rachel Bosworth via email at rachel@rachelbosworth.com or by phone at 631.220.1220.