From Deseret News archives:
'Happy Valley' delves into drug abuse in Utah
Produced by: ForeverGreen Pictures
Written by: Ron Williams
Length: 84 minutes
OREM — "Happy Valley," an award-winning documentary, is neither happy nor is the story contained to just Utah County (as some may assume).
This film looks at the growing problem of drug abuse throughout Utah.
William's documentary goes right to the underbelly of Utah's perceived "good life" and focuses on the increasing statistics of prescription and drug abuse in predominately LDS communities, some numbers out-distancing locations like Los Angeles and New York City by a margin of three times as much drug use per capita.
Center to the movie is the Amelia Sorich story. Sorich died June 25, 2005, after receiving a powerful dose of heroin and morphine by her best friend, Macall Petersen. Sorich passed out and never regained consciousness. Not wanting to be caught by police, Petersen and her boyfriend took Sorich's body and buried it in the Bountiful area the next morning.
In heart-wrenching interviews with the Sorich family, Petersen and a handful of others (who are trying to regain a drug-free life) let the viewer see how easy it is to get started, to get drugs and the lifelong struggle it takes to stay clean.
"Happy Valley" is emotionally charged and filled with information that should be seen by anyone who doesn't believe there could be a problem in their neighborhood or home.
The extra kick in this piece is the personal nature of William's story.
Petersen's mother, a recovering addict herself, is also Williams' ex-wife. While kind of keeping it all in the family, Williams tells the stories of these men and women hoping it will move members of the community to fight the drugs and drug pushers in their community and thereby help communities heal.
"Happy Valley" will be released in theaters in March.
