Brown County may look like a Hallmark movie on the outside, but when all the autumn colors and attractions are stripped away, it reveals an epidemic.

Meth and opioid addictions have seeped into every aspect of the county…and across the country.

Now, a film team is shedding light on the rampant issue within the community through a new documentary, “The Addict’s Wake.”

The Executive and Co-Producer Lisa Hall said, “I think we have to continue to tell these stories and talk about this issue, and not just accept it as part of rural living, or urban living in wealthier communities, because it doesn’t discriminate.”

Hall was inspired to create the film when she moved to Brown County a few years ago and realized how many lives were affected in some way by opioids.

“I started working on Sundays with women in incarceration and started meeting people and just hearing about the opioid addiction problem in this community,” Hall said.

After over 100 hours of film and interviews, they had amassed many touching stories.

“We had so many wonderful people share their story, share their journeys, they were raw, they were transparent, and the film is powerful only because of that. Really, the stories and the willingness to put it all out there for us is what gave the film power,” Hall said.

One family featured in the film, the Yager’s, know the hardships of opioid addiction on a very personal level.

Their 30-year-old son, Cole, has been struggling for about 10 years now.

“What started it was that he had a terrible back, it was a back injury. Back in the time period, doctors were prescribing Oxycontin like it was just nothing. Nobody thought it was addicting. So, he was on that for a while with his lower back pain. Then, all of a sudden, he got so addicted to it the doctors took the medicine away, and he went towards heroin. So, this can affect anybody,” Chuck Yager said.

They said the journey is full of many highs and lows, but amid everything, they never lose hope.

“Each time Cole has had success in his recovery, it’s very helpful. And even though he may be struggling with it, we know that he can overcome it,” Stephanie Yager said.

The Yager’s expressed how crucial it is to have a support system to get through it, whether from friends, the community, or faith.

“You got to let go and let God, you know. So, he has to make that change. When he’s ready for resources, we know where to go to get resources, we know if he needs it, but we can’t tell him to do it. He has to want to go. So, that’s the biggest thing we’ve learned from this,” Chuck Yager said.

Hall says she wants people to leave the film feeling hopeful that recovery is possible and that no one is alone in this battle.

“So, our hope was that people could think about the resources they have in their community, to link arms, it’s a clarion call to stand up and fight back against what is tearing our communities apart,” Hall said.