Discovery en Español Explores The Reality of Drug Addiction

Addiction begins with a whisper in the back of the mind: “I’ll try it once.  It’s just for fun. I can stop whenever I want.” Drug use can easily get out of control, however, becoming a monster that destroys lives and whole societies. What causes addiction?  What reactions does it produce in people who take drugs?

In the original production Discovery en Español, “Mi adicción, Mi maldición”, which was filmed entirely in Latin America, answers these and other questions through the personal testimony of people who have lived the dramatic process of addiction first hand.

Focusing on Mexico, Colombia and Brazil, the documentary series profiles real cases of recovering addicts who recount in detail how they first started taking drugs; how they managed to escape spiral of alcohol, cocaine and hallucinogens; and their day-to-day battles to avoid relapses. What comes through is the strength of character and love of life the protagonists find within themselves when they decide to leave behind the living hell of addiction and begin the road to recovery.

In addition to these moving testimonies, “Mi adicción, Mimaldición” draws on the opinions of doctors, therapists and psychologists, who explain in scientific terms what happens during the process of addiction and the chain of reactions and damages drugs produce in the human body and brain.

In the first episode, set in Mexico, viewers meet Julio Pradera, a college graduate with a degree in business administration who loves music and playing the guitar. Despite everything he has going for him, Julio falls into a cycle of addiction that causes him to lose it all: his friends, family, money and will to live. 

Another case profiled in the production is that of Colombian writer and journalist Aura Lucia Mera, a woman passionate about her life and career.  This same passion takes her deep into a nightmare of addiction. Nearly two decades of alcohol and cocaine abuse end her career and estrange her from her children.

The six-episode documentary series airs on Discovery en Español, Fridays at 11PM, beginning July 25. For more about this and other network programming, follow Discovery en Español on Facebook.

La adicción empieza con un susurro. Probaré solo una vez. Es solo por diversión. Puedo dejarla cuando quiera. Pero puede transformarse en un monstruo y destruir vidas, familias, carreras, amistades e, incluso, sociedades enteras.

¿Cómo se produce la adicción? ¿Qué producen las drogas en el cuerpo y la mente de las personas que las consumen? Ahora es el momento de escuchar a las personas que han vivido en el infierno, de sumergirse en sus cuerpos y cerebros, para ver desde el otro lado. Esta era mi vida con las drogas, y casi la perdí.

Los seis episodios para series documentales se transmite a través de Discovery en Español, los viernes a las 11PM, partir del 25 de julio. Para obtener más información sobre este y otros programación de la red, siga Discovery en Español en Facebook.

‘Trafficking in women: Tenancingo to New York’ | Documentary Review

On Tuesday, December 3, I had the opportunity to screen “Trata de mujeres: de Tenancingo a Nueva York” (Trafficking in women: Tenancingo to New York), which is an original production from the Discovery enEspañol network. This compelling documentary exposes the pervasive and heinous crime of human trafficking from the picturesque city of Tenancingo, Mexico to the streets of New York City.

This writer knows all too well how widespread the crime of commercial sexual exploitation (human trafficking) is within the US and is fully aware if the secondary exploitation of human trafficking that comes via the form of sensationalized media. Fortunately, the latter is not what one will find when viewing “Trata de mujeres: de Tenancingo a Nueva York”. If you think that it’s not your problem simply because these girls aren’t American, think again. Once a crime is committed on US soil, it is now a concern for every US citizen.

Regardless of whether you are a Spanish speaker or not, “Trata de mujeres: de Tenancingo a Nueva York” expresses the universal language of human suffering. Each year, thousands of women and girls are forced into sexual slavery from Mexico. While these girls are from all over Mexico, it is known that the majority of traffickers are located in the city of Tenancingo. In “Trata de mujeres: de Tenancingo a Nueva York” Discovery en Español’s cameras travel from this small town up to locations in New York City to uncover how innocent women and girls are lured, with promises of love and marriage, into commercial sexual exploitation (forced prostitution).

The production exposes this harsh reality through the heart-wrenching stories of Madai and Amanda, two young women who were forced to into sexual slavery when they were brought to New York City by their boyfriends, under the pretense of a vacation, only to be brutalized. Both young women were repeatedly beaten, raped, and threatened with the murder of their families who resided back in Mexico. This terrorization is standard practice for the perpetrators of human trafficking, regardless of whether the victims hail from outside the US or are American born and raised.

Madai shares, “I met Enrique in Veracruz, my hometown, when I was 17. He said he wanted to marry me. I was very naive and believed everything he told me. I immediately accepted leaving my hometown and came to Mexico City with him. Days later my boyfriend told me that I would work as a prostitute. I realized he was not joking when I received the first punch and he left the room telling me that he knew where my parents lived and if I try to speak to them or try to escape, they would be severely hurt.”

The documentary also includes interviews with a human trafficker who reveals the “secrets of his trade” to the cameras, as well as interviews with government officials such as Mexico's Anti-Trafficking Task Force Leader and Congresswoman, Rosi Orozco, and organizations on both sides of the border, as well as interviews with mothers who have spent years looking for their daughters. “Trata de mujeres: de Tenancingo a Nueva York” premieres on Sunday, December 8 at 10 p.m. on Discovery en Español.

For more information about the crime of human trafficking, please visit the Polaris Project or call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. Llama la línea gratuita y confidencial 1-888-373-7888: Denunciar casos de trata; Conectarse con servicios en su localidad; Pedir información o recursos en español sobre la trata de personas y la esclavitud moderna.

Discovery en Español celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month

Objetivo: el norte – Sunday, September 22

The Emmy-nominated original production Objetivo: el norte travels to the Arizona desert to tell the story of two young people who follow their family tradition of making the treacherous journey across the US-Mexico border.  The program features an interview with a “coyote” about the trafficking in human lives as well as the views of opponents who see immigrants as invaders taking away jobs that belong to American workers.

Deportados – Sunday, September 29

With exclusive access to the South Texas detention center, Deportados presents the true stories of illegal immigrants waiting to be deported from the United States.  This one-hour special also documents immigration raids and the activities of Border Patrol and immigration agents.

La ruta de la muerte – Sunday, September 15

In this original production, Discovery en Español follows a group of migrants as they travel across Mexico along one of the most dangerous routes in the world to pursue the dream of finding a better life in the United States.

Featured Programming:

• La ruta de la muerte – Sunday, September 15: In this original production, Discovery en Español follows a group of migrants as they travel across Mexico along one of the most dangerous routes in the world to pursue the dream of finding a better life in the United States. 
• Objetivo: el norte – Sunday, September 22: The Emmy-nominated original production Objetivo: el norte travels to the Arizona desert to tell the story of two young people who follow their family tradition of making the treacherous journey across the US-Mexico border.  The program features an interview with a “coyote” about the trafficking in human lives as well as the views of opponents who see immigrants as invaders taking away jobs that belong to American workers. 
• Deportados – Sunday, September 29: With exclusive access to the South Texas detention center, Deportados presents the true stories of illegal immigrants waiting to be deported from the United States.  This one-hour special also documents immigration raids and the activities of Border Patrol and immigration agents. 
• Viviendo en las sombras – Sunday, October 6: This original production profiles the lives of illegal immigrants who live clandestinely in fear of being deported while doing their best to raise their children and continuing to dream of a better future.  Viviendo en las sombras also presents interviews with the lawmakers and community leaders who are a crucial part of the debate about immigration.

DISCOVERY FAMILIA EXPANDE SU PROGRAMACIÓN DEDICADA A LA SALUD

El canal  presenta dos noches temáticas de salud y le da la bienvenida a la doctora Selene Velasco, presentadora de las cápsulas “Un minuto de salud”

Ahora los lunes y miércoles son noches de salud en Discovery Familia. El canal incorpora dos noches de programación dedicadas a la salud física y emocional, y enfocadas a los problemas que impactan a los hispanos de manera desproporcional, como las enfermedades del corazón, diabetes y obesidad. Este nuevo formato incluye también el estreno de las cápsulas informativas “Un minuto de salud”, presentadas por la doctora Selene Velasco, la nueva experta en salud del canal.

“Sabemos que uno de los problemas que afecta a la comunidad hispana en Estados Unidos es la falta de información sobre la salud, especialmente la medicina preventiva. Por eso hemos diseñado una programación entretenida, pero que a su vez brinda información objetiva sobre temas que van desde la medicina alternativa, la nutrición y la salud mental,  hasta la prevención de enfermedades”, comentó Bilai Joa Silar, VP de Contenido de Discovery Familia.

La programación de “Lunes de salud” y de “Miércoles de enigmas médicos” comienza a las 9PM E/P e incluye algunas de las series más populares del canal, como Detectives de salud, Secretos de mi cuerpo, Pequeños milagros y Entre la vida y la muerte, así como también nuevas producciones como Embarazo secreto y La bella y la bestia que se estrenarán el 5/22 y 6/17 respectivamente.

También nuevas en Discovery Familia, las cápsulas “Un minuto de salud” presentan a la doctora Selene Velasco, quien se incorpora a la familia del canal para presentar temas de salud relevantes para la comunidad hispana, noticias, novedades y tendencias de la medicina, así como también consejos para mantener una vida sana. Los cortos se transmiten durante la programación nocturna e incluyen títulos como Mastectomía preventiva, Diabetes en el embarazo, Bajar de peso y  El poder de las estatinas.

  

La doctora Selene trae a Discovery Familia años de experiencia en el campo de la medicina general, en las especialidades de Nutrición y Enfermedades Crónicas (diabetes e hipertensión), y recibió su titulo en Medicina Familiar, con especialidad en salud de la mujer, en la Universidad de California (UCLA). También ha practicado medicina internacional y estuvo en el epicentro de la epidemia de influenza H1N1 en la Ciudad de México, donde ha viajado en numerosas ocasiones a proveer cuidados médicos primarios en comunidades de bajos recursos. La doctora Selene es profesora en la escuela de medicina David Geffen de UCLA y del programa de Residencia de Medicina Familiar, y ocupa una posición permanente en el Departamento de Salud Pública de Los Ángeles.

Acerca de la nueva programación:

Embarazo secreto- estreno miércoles 5/22 a las 9PM E/P

Casi todas las mujeres celebran que van a tener un bebé. Otras, es lo último que quieren compartir con el mundo. Embarazo secreto sigue los casos de varias mujeres que, por alguna razón, deciden ocultar su embarazo ante su familia, amigos, novios, jefes, acompañándolas en el emocional momento  de la revelación de su secreto y las secuelas del nacimiento del bebé. Sus secretos seguirán creciendo… y pronto no lo podrán ocultar más.

La bella y la bestia – estreno lunes 6/17 a las 9PM E/P

Cada episodio de esta sorprendente serie se centra en dos personas que se sienten definidas por su apariencia física. Una de estas personas tiene una desfiguración facial, la otra vive obsesionada con querer lucir cada día mejor. La serie muestra lo que significa lidiar con una desfiguración física, al mismo tiempo que muestra que muchas veces gastarse una fortuna tratando de lucir bien puede tener consecuencias negativas, tanto físicas como mentales.

Para conocer más sobre las noches temáticas, los programas de Discovery Familia y las novedades del canal, visita discoveryfamilia.com o síguenos en facebook.com/discoveryfamilia.