Oxyana (Documentary)
2,132,784
Published 2017-05-30
Tucked in the Appalachian mountains of Southern West Virginia, Oceana, is a small, once thriving coal-mining town that has fallen victim to the fast spreading scourge of prescription painkiller Oxycontin. As the coal industry slowly declined and times got tough, a black market for the drug sprung up and along with it a rash of prostitution, theft and murder. Soon its own residents had nicknamed the town Oxyana and it began to live up to its reputation as abuse, addiction and overdoses became commonplace. Oxyana is a harrowing front line account of a community in the grips of an epidemic, told through the voices of the addicts, the dealers and all those affected. It is a haunting glimpse into an American nightmare unfolding before our eyes, a cautionary tale told with raw and unflinching honesty.
Winner of Best New Documentary Director, Tribeca Film Festival 2013
Special Jury Mention for Best Documentary, Tribeca Film Festival 2013
Soundtrack: • Oxyana Soundtrack
Follow us on twitter @veryapetv and director Sean Dunne @seanveryape
All Comments (21)
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i watched this video 6 months ago when my addiction was at its peak , watching it now 1 week clean
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I'm from south eastern Ma. I have buried so many friends due to addiction. I started using perc's at 17 and oxy's before i was 20. I went from sniffing H to shooting by 21. I used daily for 4 years before my first detox. From 25 to 32 i went to 13 detoxes before getting clean. I've now been clean since 2013. It's been 8 yrs. I'm not looking for recognition. I just hope someone my find strength from my story.
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I first watched this doc nearly a year ago today, I had just gotten off opiates after 4 years today I am 5 days away from one year clean. This doc is what started it all. Please stay safe everyone.
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PLEASE do an update video. PLEASE. People absolutely need to understand the consequences of these addictions.
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I was heavily addicted for 8 years. Got myself clean cold turkey and alone. It was a brutal month. That withdrawal is awful. It's hard to describe. I've been clean seven years. Going through it cold turkey is what has kept me clean. I never want to feel that bad ever again
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I'm addicted heavily, and I am entering rehab tomorrow in a neighboring city.... wish me luck guys. This video really helped realize it's not just me.
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Incredible a person had the guts to go into this town and tell the story of these forgotten individuals. People don’t realize what it takes to make something like this they only see the finished product. Imagine approaching drug addicts and drug dealers and asking them to be on camera. I don’t know how this was pulled off but it is absolutely magnificent and so necessary.
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My dad started working as a Coalminer at age 18, he’s now 58 and broken down like an 80 year old. He was a mine foreman the last 10-15 years, but worked as hard as any man underground. He had two heart attacks and broke his neck and back, and still went back underground. Coalminers are the hardest working men on this planet. I’m proud to be an eastern Kentuckian and damn proud to be a coalminer’s daughter. The drug epidemic in this area is destroying it. It went from Oxys to Meth in my area.
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I find it ironic that, as kids, we were warned against illegal drugs and street dealers, but ultimately it's the pharmaceutical corporations manufacturing legal substances that caused the most harm
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I remember that first oxy, chased that feeling till I got strung out on heroin and the fentynal. Took me three years of going in and out of the rooms of aa/na and now I got 18 months
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One the greatest documentaries I have seen. These people needed a voice, and they were provided with such. To anyone struggling with addiction, please know that while you feel alone, you are here for a reason. Keep fighting for yourself, you are the most important person in your whole life. Never forget how valuable your life is. Everything is okay in the end, if it's not okay, it's not the end.
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When the girl says "I'm still with you though" it's sad. I wish her nothing but the best and for her to get the love she wants so badly
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5 years sober now. My life is so much better. I remembers those days of hopelessness and desperation. Crawling on the floor to pick up a dull needle to jam into my arm. I never thought I would escape and have the amazing life I have now.
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As addicts we're afraid of the light and will find any excuse to stay in the dark and convince ourselves that the light is horrid and we're not worthy of it. 5 years and 22 days clean today. It can be done.
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I’ve never watched a documentary where I felt so much for these people. The man who said everyone thinks people in West Virginia are inbred just hit me in the gut. I wish everyone in this film has made it through. I would love to see a follow up to see how everyone is doing.
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It's October 2021... This was an extremely powerful documentary. Can't help but wonder how many of these fine citizens of Oxyana are still alive.
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For all those people in the comments currently living their best sober life please know you’re amazing and worth it and that you are doing something so many people die wanting to do. ✨
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5 months clean from heroin/fentanyl/crack today. Wasn't gonna say anything but then I saw all the other comments lol
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The pregnant girl in the green tank said "I'm still with you though" like she's doing something so great and proving to him how much she loves him In reality, she can do so much better and should love her baby enough to leave. I don't know what she sees in him!
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Hauntingly tragic and beautifully real, thank you for giving these people a voice. It hurts me to see so many of my fellow Americans in so much pain and suffering. We are a nation in need of a lot of healing. Don't let hatred divide us, we are all more alike than we are different. I hope from the bottom of my heart these people are doing better now.
