The Bold and the Beautiful has been using its scripted platform to tell the story of opioid abuse with the character of Steffy Forrester, played by Jacqueline MacInnes Wood, who got hooked on painkillers following a motorcycle accident. Her ex, Liam (Scott Clifton), has been trying to get her to see the light. Now, Clifton wants folks to know there are options, too.
Scott Clifton On Opioid Abuse
“In 2018, more than 1 1/2 million people in the United States, Americans suffered from substance abuse disorders related to subscription opioid pain relievers,” the actor shared in a Public Service Announcement (PSA) at the end of Tuesday’s episode. “Now, if you or someone you know needs help with substance use disorders, please call 1-800-662-HELP or go to drugabuse.gov.”
The Bold and the Beautiful has addressed a host of social issues going back to the show’s early days when Beth Logan (then, Nancy Burnett) was diagnosed with breast cancer. The show had always tied social issues to the program’s ongoing drama.
Had Beth never gone to the hospital, Stephanie (Susan Flannery) might not have gone to visit her where she learned that Beth was also “Liz Henderson,” the college girlfriend of her husband, Eric (John McCook).
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Another early issue was childhood sexual abuse with the character of Jake Maclaine (Todd McKee), who had been abused as a child by his uncle. Other social issues BB’s addressed include diabetes with Jessica (Maitland Ward), alcoholism with Macy (Bobbie Eakes), immigration with Claudia Cortez (Lilly Melgar), Alzheimer’s, also with Beth (then, Robin Riker).
BB also addressed using the character of Stephanie both homelessness and childhood abuse. Stephanie’s mother, Ann (Betty White), had looked the other way when Steph’s dad physically abused her.
BB was created by the late William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell. It debuted on March 23, 1987. The show is one of the most widely watched programs in the world and has won the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series three years in a row — 2009, 2010, and 2011. Bradley Bell serves as the show’s executive producer and head writer. The Bold and the Beautiful airs weekdays on CBS. Check local listings for air times.
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