Naperville's 'Dope Man' Gets A&E Special

NAPERVILLE, IL — A July 31 special on A&E Networks will chronicle a Naperville man's mission to help heroin addicts get treatment. Airing following the season premiere of acclaimed series "Intervention," the special, entitled "Dope Man" will follow Tim Ryan, an ex-con and recovering addict, as he tries to help others battling addiction to the drug that killed his son and nearly claimed his own life.

"Now, in an era when addicts are dying faster and younger by the day, he's made it his life's mission to save others from the deadly drug," A&E said. "Tim's unforgiving, in-your-face approach, as well as his commitment to placing people into meaningful long-term treatment, has singled him out nationally among politicians, law enforcement officials and educators as one of the most effective experts in his field."

The special will air during a time when the heroin epidemic continues to claim lives in the suburbs, including hard-hit DuPage and Will counties. Last year, DuPage County counted 78 heroin-related deaths, up 53 percent compared to 2015, and 76 died in Will County. So far in 2017, the Will County coroner reports 28 heroin- and/or fentanyl-related overdose deaths.

Ryan has been an outspoken local voice warning others of the dangers of heroin and working to bring help to addicts. His son, Nick, 20, died of a heroin overdose in 2014.

Ryan spoke to the Aurora Beacon-News about the "the crazy story that took (him) from business executive to heroin addict to ex-con to reality TV personality." He said he's attended more than 100 funerals since his son's death.

"People judge me, and say I'm in this for the money or the fame, but they are the ones who do not know who I am," Ryan told the paper. "Besides, I'm not in this to make friends. I'm here to deal hope. This show will take you into my world so you can see for yourself what is going on."

WATCH A&E's TRAILER FOR 'DOPE MAN.'

"Dope Man" will air at 9 p.m. Central on July 31.

Patch file photo