Naperville man's crusade against heroin focus of new A&E special

Posted July 29, 2017 1:00 am

By Kerry Lester

A Naperville man's crusade against heroin is the focus of a new A&E networks TV special airing Monday called "Dope Man."

The hourlong show about Tim Ryan is scheduled to air at 9 p.m. Monday, July 31.

Ryan is a former heroin addict and nationally-recognized founder of A Man in Recovery Foundation. He says he made bad choices in allowing his son to drink while underage and to smoke marijuana. Ryan's son, Nick, died in 2014 of a heroin overdose at age 20.

Among Ryan's emphases is pushing parents to remember their roles.

"Your kid shouldn't be your best friend," he told the Daily Herald last fall as his work was highlighted on a DuPage County panel focused on avoiding addiction.

The network describes Ryan's approach as both "unforgiving" and "in-your-face," one that enhances his effectiveness in the war against heroin and opioid abuse.

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