LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — On Thursday, Feb. 6, Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) awarded THV11's Laura Monteverdi with the National Newsmaker Award for her outstanding focus on the opioid crisis in Arkansas.
The National Newsmaker award is given to a journalist in TV, print or radio, who uses their platform to inform the public on substance use and misuse.
In recent years, the opioid epidemic has become the new face of addiction in Arkansas, and THV11's Laura Monteverdi, photographer Breandan Conyers and editor Brian Bland take a glimpse into the lives of four men as they work to take back their lives from the strongholds of addiction and prepare for life after prison.
On Saturday, Oct. 5, THV11 was awarded an Emmy for their outstanding work on Saving a Generation: Out for Life.
RELATED: Saving a Generation | Out for Life
Since 1992, CADCA has demonstrated that when all sectors of a community come together, social change happens. CADCA represents over 5,000 community coalitions that involve individuals from key sectors including schools, law enforcement, youth, parents, healthcare, media and others. The CADCA coalition model emphasizes the power of community coalitions to prevent substance misuse through collaborative community efforts.
Also in attendance, Arkansas State Drug Director Kirk Lane and Senator John Boozeman and more than dozens of youth from various schools in Arkansas.
RELATED: Opioid Prevention Program at UAMS is aimed at preventing, reducing opioid use among seniors