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Circles and Silence: True stories surrounding addictions

Updated: Oct 18, 2022

Mel Rising Dawn Cordeiro

Managing Editor

Rhode Island College will be hosting a viewing of the film Circles and Silence on Oct. 20 at 1 p.m. in the Roberts Hall Auditorium. A five-time Emmy Award nominee, Circles and Silence follows the true life stories of young adults affected by addiction.


This recently produced film follows the lives of eight Rhode Islanders who have struggled with opioids and addiction. These people are average, everyday young adults who work and thrive right here in Rhode Island. The film also features Sue Coutu, whose daughter Kristen became the inspiration for Kristen’s Law: A law that gives judges the option to send drug dealers to prison for life if they supply a user with a drug that ultimately causes the user’s death from overdose. For reference, the state is broken into ten regions. North Providence is located in Region 4, while Providence is located in Region 6.


Produced in collaboration with the United States Attorney General’s Office and Rhode Island based production companies Left of Creative of South Kingstown, DK Communications of Providence, and Ocean State Video of Cranston, Circles and Silence aims to provide audiences with information on substance abuse disorders, as well as prevention, recovery and available resources . It was originally going to debut in early 2021, but due to COVID restrictions, was delayed until about a year ago.


Without a doubt, this film hits home. Recently, the Rhode Island Department of Health issued a public safety alert for Region 3, consisting of Cumberland, North Smithfield, Smithfield and Lincoln due to increased opioid overdosing activities, and for Region 9, consisting of East and West Greenwich, Exeter, Hopkinton and Richmond, for reaching the threshold in emergency room visits and emergency medical service usage for opioid overdoses.


The United States Attorney General’s Community Outreach program travels the state with this film. They are primarily present in schools, from seventh grade through high school. They’ll also schedule showings with non-profit organizations and community organizations. They do this at no cost to anyone.


Pre-registration is required to attend. This campus viewing is sponsored by the Tri-County Community Action Agency and RIC’s Center for Health and Wellness.


Update: This event has since been postponed and will be rescheduled for a future date.

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