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Sesame Street to cover addiction with new muppet Karli | |
(1 day later) | |
The organisation behind US children's TV show Sesame Street is set to reveal that one of its muppets' mothers has an addiction. | |
Karli was introduced earlier this year as a muppet in foster care. | |
She is set to reveal that she was placed in foster care as her mother had a "grown-up problem". | She is set to reveal that she was placed in foster care as her mother had a "grown-up problem". |
About 5.7 million children in the US under the age of 11 live with a parent who suffers from substance addiction, according to the Associated Press. | About 5.7 million children in the US under the age of 11 live with a parent who suffers from substance addiction, according to the Associated Press. |
Karli will tell her story on the Sesame Street in Communities project, which is run by Sesame Workshop, the non-profit organisation behind the show. | Karli will tell her story on the Sesame Street in Communities project, which is run by Sesame Workshop, the non-profit organisation behind the show. |
In the online episodes, Karli tells Elmo and another muppet about her mum's meetings and the special kids-only meetings where she gets to spend time with other children who are going through the same experience. | In the online episodes, Karli tells Elmo and another muppet about her mum's meetings and the special kids-only meetings where she gets to spend time with other children who are going through the same experience. |
Elmo's father, Louie, also explains what addiction is. | Elmo's father, Louie, also explains what addiction is. |
The series also features Salia, a ten-year-old from California whose parents have "been there". | The series also features Salia, a ten-year-old from California whose parents have "been there". |
Addiction to substances such as opioids is a huge problem in the US. | |
According to the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, 399,000 deaths between 1999 and 2017 were linked to opioids. | According to the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, 399,000 deaths between 1999 and 2017 were linked to opioids. |
About 192 people die from an opioid overdose every day in the US. | About 192 people die from an opioid overdose every day in the US. |
Sherrie Westin, president of Social Impact and Philanthropy at Sesame Workshop, said: "Addiction is often seen as a 'grown up' issue, but it impacts children in ways that aren't always visible. Having a parent battling addiction can be one of the most isolating and stressful situations young children and their families face." | Sherrie Westin, president of Social Impact and Philanthropy at Sesame Workshop, said: "Addiction is often seen as a 'grown up' issue, but it impacts children in ways that aren't always visible. Having a parent battling addiction can be one of the most isolating and stressful situations young children and their families face." |
Sesame Street has been a childhood favourite since 1969, and runs on American public broadcaster PBS as well as cable channel HBO. | Sesame Street has been a childhood favourite since 1969, and runs on American public broadcaster PBS as well as cable channel HBO. |
Last December, the show introduced Lily, a seven-year-old homeless muppet. Lily told viewers that she had to leave her house behind and had been staying in all different kinds of places since. | Last December, the show introduced Lily, a seven-year-old homeless muppet. Lily told viewers that she had to leave her house behind and had been staying in all different kinds of places since. |
In 2017, it introduced an autistic muppet, Julia, to the show. | In 2017, it introduced an autistic muppet, Julia, to the show. |
It has also featured children who have been bullied and also children who have parents in prison. | It has also featured children who have been bullied and also children who have parents in prison. |
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