Addiction Quote by Perri Peltz
“It seemed that the problem of Americans overdosing and dying from drug addiction was being described as bad people, particularly kids, who were abusing good drugs. But Sheila Nevins, the president of HBO Documentary Films, and I were particularly interested in finding out the stories of people and families who had been ravaged by this disease of addiction and understanding what really was happening. What we found was that, and let's not make any mistake about it, this is an epidemic of addiction.”
About This Quote
Source Documentary interview, 2015
Describes addiction as a widespread epidemic affecting families, not just “bad people.”
In simple terms: Addiction is a societal epidemic.
Key Takeaway
Address addiction as a public health issue.
Themes
public health
addiction
stigma
family impact
Mood
empathetic
urgent
Type
advocacy
informational
When to use this quote
- healthcare policy debates
- community outreach
- school programs
- family counseling
Key Concepts
epidemiology
social determinants
policy
Questions to Reflect On
- How does stigma affect help‑seeking?
- What policies could reduce addiction rates?
A Different Perspective
Stigma can hinder effective treatment.
