How the Courier-Journal chronicled Louisville's fight against drugs

Drug abuse is epidemic in Louisville, touching thousands of local families and killing a growing number of addicts.

Over the Easter weekend, nine Courier-Journal journalists chronicled 72 hours on the front lines of the community’s fight against addiction.  Reporters and photographers paired up to follow addicts, doctors, treatment professionals, jail workers and others in their daily struggles amid a relentless and deadly epidemic.

SPECIAL REPORT: 72 hours in Louisville's relentless struggle to stop drug deaths

►Reporter Matthew Glowicki and Photographer Matt Stone rode with Louisville Metro Police Department officers on the beat.

►Reporter Bailey Loosemore and Photographer Matt Clevenger spent a day at The Healing Place.

►Reporter Allison Ross and Photographer Pat McDonogh shadowed staff at Norton Audubon Hospital, and Ross also visited Women's and Children's Hospital.

►Reporter Justin Sayers and Photographer Scott Utterback observed jail intake at Louisville Metro Corrections.

►Reporter Beth Warren and Photographer Pat McDonogh spent a night with Louisville Metro Emergency Medical Services.

►Reporter Laura Ungar led, organized and edited the project.

The story was written by all of the reporters.

Because of medical privacy laws and the sensitivity of the topic, some of the subjects’ names could not be used.

The team plans to follow up with related stories in the coming months. For more information about the project, contact Ungar at lungar@courier-journal.com or (502) 582-7190.