Staff Recommendations – August 2021
Check out what our staff members and continuing education contributors are raving about this month!
Book Pick – Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company that Addicted America by Beth Macy
This book recommendation comes from two of our continuing education contributors, Jacob Demmit and Robby Korth, hosts of the podcast Septic. Jacob and Robby joined our CASAs for a unique and insightful discussion during a recent continuing education session on their podcast. A main theme of their podcast was the examination of the opiate crisis in rural communities, specifically in southwest Virginia. Jacob and Robby both recommended Beth Macy’s book Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company that Addicted America as a great dive into how the opiate crisis has uniquely impacted already vulnerable individuals in these communities.
Podcast Pick – Camp Hell: Anneewakee hosted by Josh Thane
Your next podcast binge is here thanks to CASA Supervisor Amy Prestidge’s recommendation of Camp Hell: Anneewakee. Warning: The story told in this podcast is raw, dark, and harrowing. The podcast looks back at the history of the Anneewakee Treatment Center for Emotionally Disturbed Youth that operated in Douglasville, Georgia, for over 25 years. The camp, which was billed as a place where parents could send their troubled children for help, was actually a breeding ground for child abuse. The reporting is gripping and takes an unflinching look at how one institution purporting to protect children did the exact opposite.
Documentary Series Pick – Daughters of Destiny directed by Vanessa Roth
If you’re looking for an uplifting story of hope and perseverance look no further than the story of Shanti Bhavan, a school dedicated to India’s “untouchable” caste of children. Daughters of Destiny follows the development of multiple girls as they attend the school, flourish in their own confidence through their studies, and break the harsh cycle of poverty for India’s citizens in its lowest caste. The school’s philosophy is powerful: One child, when given the chance to thrive and flourish, can turn around and give back to their family, friends, and community, lifting up their society towards a better and brighter future. The four-episode series is available to stream on Netflix.