Education Week‘s video coverage on the opioid epidemic (see our recent PBS NewsHour report and interview with Hillbilly Elegy author J.D. Vance) continues.
In this web video, high school student Alexis Estep describes the effect of her parents’ drug abuse on her life, and discusses what has helped her persevere.
Born to a mother who abused drugs, Alexis and her siblings were often left home alone to fend for themselves. The family was constantly on the move as Alexis’ mom bounced between boyfriends and husbands. Her mother eventually abandoned them, choosing her drugs over her children. Despite this tough childhood, Alexis is now thriving with the family that adopted her, and plans to go into early-childhood education. Watch as she shares her story, in her own words.
Related Stories:
- Hillbilly Elegy Author J.D. Vance on Poverty and the Opioid Epidemic (Video)
- Amid Opioid Crisis, Schools Help Students Heal (Video)
- Student Trauma: How School Leaders Can Respond
For more videos, check out the EdWeek video gallery.