Review: “Long Bright River

10 REVIEWS FEBRUARY 7, 2020 Stigma surrounding addiction must end “Long Bright River” by Liz Moore demonstrates the incredible suffering caused by opioid addiction, and how stigma prevents people from getting the necessary help. Story by Sophia Rall | Page Designer aaaaa W henever police officer Mickey Fitzpatrick receives a call that a dead body has been found, her heart drops and she desperately hopes it isn’t her sister. Each time she arrives at the scene, she feels a sickening sense of relief when she sees it’s another person. Most people can resonate with this fear of family members being found dead. The thing is, Mickey has already found her sister dead- 5 times. However, Mickey’s younger sister Kacey wasn’t actually dead. She had instead overdosed on opioids, leaving her in a near-death state, with blue skin and slowed breathing. As Mickey grew up, she witnessed her sister become more and more dependent on drugs and eventually prostitute herself to pay for them. I was so shocked by the lengths Kacey went to get drugs, but I soon realized that Kacey’s story is only one of 2.1 million American stories of opioid addiction, according to the Addiction Center. “Long Bright River” by Liz Moore takes place in the early 2000’s, in an area completely slammed by the opioid epidemic. Before reading, I wrongly assumed that the crisis is over and no longer affects anyone. However, an estimated 2 million Americans began misusing opioids in 2017, according to the Addiction Center. The opioid epidemic is a highly prevalent issue, but people with opioid use disorders face incredible stigma, leading to inadequate healthcare and recovery options. The stigma surrounding addiction must change in order to truly end the opioid epidemic. “Long Bright River” invites the reader to put themselves in Mickey’s shoes and imagine having a family member addicted to opioids. Before reading, I found it easy to write off addicts as bad people. I soon learned, though, that addiction is not a personal choice or a moral weakness. Addiction stems from a variety of societal and genetic factors. Some people choose to begin abusing opioids, but no one chooses to become dependent. By simply adjusting the way I viewed opioid users, my whole perspective on the opioid epidemic evolved. I now know people with addictions are not bad, weak people. They are just people, deserving of respect, dignity and fair treatment. Kacey and other addicts were treated like secondclass citizens by community members, including police officers. Most police officers refer to the area where drug addicts hang out as Junktown, or K-Hole. They look down upon the people and the area, just because it has a higher rate of addiction. I believe it is vitally important to be educated about opioid addiction, and reading “Long Bright River” could jumpstart this learning. The novel completely opened my eyes to the magnitude of the opioid epidemic, while showing how and why addiction begins. It particularly shocked me when I realized Mickey’s sister Kacey could be anyone I know. Putting myself in Mickey’s shoes provided an intriguing standpoint of someone dealing with the opioid crisis and witnessing the accompanying stigma. I would give the “Long Bright River” a 5 out of 5 due to its powerful and relevant storyline. It was not a comfortable, easy read, but that makes it so much more important. The novel was a moving testament to the incredible pain, suffering and loss of opioid addiction. I am so much more aware of the prevalence of addiction and stigma. I wholeheartedly encourage everyone to read “Long Bright River” and bear witness to the ongoing devastation of the opioid epidemic. B photo courtesy of Liz Moore On twitter