- Content: TV Host to Make Documentary on Son’s Overdose Death to Raise Awareness
By Movieguide® Contributor
TV relationship expert Dr. Laura Berman is partnering with Stick Figure Entertainment and Rubber Ring Films to share the story of her teenage son’s fatal overdose to help raise awareness and prevent future tragedies.
Berman’s son, Sammy, died in 2021 after taking a pill laced with fentanyl. Sammy, whose death garnered nationwide attention, was connected to the drug dealer he bought the pill from through Snapchat.
“Nationwide, fentanyl overdoses are the leading cause of death for adults between the age of 18 and 45 and over 300 people die every day in America from fentanyl poisoning,” said Sam Chapman, Sammy’s father. “The drug that killed our son was delivered to a house like a pizza.”
Following the tragic death, Snapchat announced it would help authorities track down the drug dealer who sold Sammy the pill. It reiterated that the platform always works with law enforcement to stem illegal activity on the app.
No one has been prosecuted for Sammy’s death.
To reignite public awareness about the fentanyl crisis and how big tech is enabling it, filmmaker Matthew Mishory—founder of Rubber Ring Films—is creating a documentary about Sammy’s death and his family’s response.
The documentary will focus on Berman and Chapman’s work. The couple has lobbied to pass Sammy’s Law – legislation requiring parental monitoring software on any gaming platform or social media children use.
“We can’t allow social media companies to have any easy path to connect our children with shady drug dealers,” said Jamie Schultz, president of Stick Figure Entertainment. “This is an international crisis and this film is only the beginning.”
“This film is about three very different people, united by family and profound personal tragedy, who chart different paths toward healing,” Mishory added. “I’m honored that Laura, Sam, and their son Jackson have agreed to let us tell the story of their journey and quest for justice.”
Movieguide® previously reported:
OWN TV host Dr. Laura Berman announced her 16-year-old son’s death on Feb. 7 due to an apparent overdose from drugs obtained through the social media app Snapchat.
“My beautiful boy is gone. 16 years old. Sheltering at home. A drug dealer connected with him on Snapchat and gave him fentanyl laced Xanax or Percocet (toxicology will tell) and he overdosed in his room,” Berman wrote on Instagram.
Berman shared the tragic news via Instagram and warned parents of the dangers of how children use social media during COVID-19-related isolation.
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