Today, Eight Forty-Eight begins a series exploring the underground economy and culture of Chicago. Sociologist Greg Scott will bring us stories of addicts, dealers, prostitutes, johns and the police officers working the beat. In part one of this series, we look at perhaps the most dangerous situation a drug user might face: the overdose. A warning to our listeners: this story contains candid descriptions of heroin use, and audio from an actual overdose Scott witnessed while working a documentary film.

Dr. Greg Scott is an Associate Professor in DePaul University’s Department of Sociology, and a documentary filmmaker. In part two of this story, he’ll report on the drug that can save a junkie’s life.