In this story, produced by NPR in a partnership with WBUR in Maine, called “‘Church of Safe Injection’ Offers Needles, Naloxone to Prevent Opioid Overdoses” it is discussed that this organization known as the “Church of Safe Injection” is stepping in to provide clean equipment used for heroine injection.

Their goal of preventing diseases and overdoses in the stead of what they call a failure on the part of the healthcare system is aided by the organization’s many volunteers, who, in many instances, have suffered first-hand experience with what they are fighting against.

This story takes place in Maine back in 2019, simpler times by all accounts, and the story starts by using Nat audio from the where the “Church” is handing out supplies – audio of a bus starting up, as the folding table of supplies is huddled in a Bangor, MA. bus stop.

Then, a narrator (Deborah Becker) lays out the scene. Next, they cut directly to an interview of one of the volunteers, Dave Carvagio . He offers some interesting sound bites, and they transition directly to the next point of emphasis using his audio and, following more narration, another sound bite from Dave.

They speak briefly about the police officers in Bangor, and the laws surrounding the legality of what they are doing, then the audio cuts to a descriptive narration of the 5W’s and one H, the real meat of the story and follow up that narration with why Dave personally undertakes this illegal-yet-justifiable burden.

Following Dave’s interview is the interview of Police Sgt. Wade Betters who gives a brief synopsis on the law, how these people are breaking it, but why they haven’t arrested anyone yet. After which they again use the bus stop Nat audio to connect the next interviewee to the organization.

After a brief summation of quotes and opinions, they cut to Nat audio and an interview of one Kandice Child, a volunteer for the organization, who is rummaging through her box of supplies. You can really hear the boxes and assorted items being milled around, as well as clean audio of her speaking. A very nice job of either layering audio, or perhaps lucky mic placement.

They continue with Child rummaging through boxes as she speaks to two young men who are looking for supplies, not necessarily A-roll audio but more like B-roll Nat audio which gives you tremendous context.

Next, you hear the reporter and Kandice Child climbing up the stairs of an apartment building as Nat audio as the narrator describes the scene. Kandice Child and an unidentified, 36 year-old drug user exchange dirty needles for Child’s clean needles and you again hear the rummaging B-roll.

They finish with an interview of the founder of the “Church of Safe Injection” with the bus B-roll behind it, seemingly a driving force that is almost metaphorical for the volunteer work his organization undertakes. This is essentially the end of the audio, and they play NPR’s signature music to sound the end of the clip.

Now on to the comparison of the two formats – in the audio version, they use more of a soft lead, describing the setting more meticulously but not necessarily giving the details directly as the story seems to.

The interview with Dave Carvagio seems more abrupt as there is no soft introduction, no driving external force to set up his interview. And after listening to the story first, it simply seems out of place.

The next few paragraphs seem to align with their counterparts in the audio, as the interview with the police sergeant was all A-roll.

It should be noted that there are many instances of differing sentence structure, and a plethora of information left out of the written piece as it is easier to listen to something than read it, so the audio piece is afforded far more leniency on detail.

The part in the article where they get to Kandice Child seems lacking, as she is not introduced with as much background as the audio gives. The rummaging in the boxes is missed and a worthy addition.

The article adds a bit about how one volunteer with Child demonstrates how to use Naloxone where in the audio it is left out for some reason. The audio also leaves out a quote from a woman in the apartment, so two things right back-to-back that are in the article and not the audio.

That’s basically it for differences. I do think I preferred the audio version, this was my first audio story, but I really enjoyed it. It was more memorable for me, as I can relate the quotes to different voices, different sounds, etc.

Overall, not a terrible way to spend a Saturday..