Dying in Vein is an intimate and deeply personal exploration of heroin addiction in two friends who meet in middle school and seem to “have it all.” Ten years later, one is alive and one is dead. During the aftermath of the funeral, the journey from recreational teenage drug use to heroin addiction is shared. Two families open their hearts in the hopes that their stories will help others to understand the reality of America’s fastest growing health tragedy. The result is a wrenching, poignant revelation of a disease that can destroy the lives of even the most promising and privileged teenagers.
As teenagers try to numb the pain from issues such as depression, anxiety, peer pressure, and divorce, many turn to readily available prescription pain pills, which have become a gateway to heroin. When the door to heroin opens, there is a constant risk of deadly overdoses that are taking lives, devastating families, and impacting communities across the country. There are more than 38,000 drug overdose deaths per year in the United States, 75% of which are opioid-related.
Chase and Matt meet at the age of 12, at an elite private school. Both boys are talented musicians, good athletes, and bright students. Their parents are successful professionals who value education. And yet, as teenagers, their drug experimentation moves from marijuana, acid, and cocaine to dangerous opiates that ultimately take Chase’s life.
Filmmaker Jenny Mackenzie gained access to Chase’s family and friends within days of Chase’s overdose. As the sister of a recovered heroin addict and the mother of a daughter who has been through drug treatment, Mackenzie brings a unique and authentic point of view to the film, which allows her characters to show their vulnerability in an honest and connected way. This film will bring the disease of addiction out of the closet and allow our country to openly discuss medical, legislative, and educational solutions and prevention models.
Please visit the link to watch the trailer: www.kickstarter.com
