Tampa Theatre To Host Film On Life And Death Of 26-Year-Old Woman Addicted To Fentanyl

TAMPA, FL — A Tampa family is bringing attention to the deadly consequences of fentanyl use in a film that will premiere Monday, March 27, at 7:30 p.m. at the Tampa Theatre.

The film, "One Second at a Time: Battling the Monster of Addiction," chronicles the life and ultimate death of Tampa resident Christine Ortoll at the age of 26 due to a fentanyl overdose.

According to Ortoll's father, Mike Ortoll, the film is intended to show the deadly consequences of fentanyl use and encourage those families experiencing a similar struggle with an addicted loved one to get help.

"As written in her journals, Christine expressed that she wished not to be defined by her disease but remembered for helping those also suffering," he said.

The film tells Ortoll's story through the family and friends who supported her for over 10 years as well as Ortoll's own words written in her journals as struggled through more than 20 drug recovery programs in an attempt to overcome her addiction.

After achieving sobriety for almost three years, her final relapse came in the fall of 2020 when she ultimately died of a fentanyl overdose.

Ortoll, an avid soccer player known for her funny, kind and energetic personality, kept journals of her struggles in the hopes they would one day benefit others addicted to fentanyl.

Honoring his daughter's wish as well as her memory, Mike Ortoll took the journals to Tampa-based director and producer Tim Searfoss, who directed the films, "Break Every Chain," "Fireworks" and "Phoenix." Mike Ortoll serves as the film's executive producer.

“'One Second at a Time' is meant to paint a real picture of addiction and what it means to love and care for someone who is struggling, and to let others know that they are not alone and don’t need to go through what my daughter did. Help and support is available for you,” said Mike Ortoll. “Christine wanted her legacy and the lessons she endured to positively impact others and show them that they’re not alone, which is why we are here today.”

Mike Ortoll also founded the Christine Ortoll Charity in 2021, which supports initiatives to fight fentanyl addiction including the College Recovery Programs.

Only 5 percent of U.S. colleges have a recovery program in place even though 24 percent of all students meet the medical definition of substance misuse, according to the latest study by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse.

The charity’s goal is to encourage boosters and alumni to fund college recovery programs at their alma maters, as well as raise awareness of recovery programs for those struggling with abuse.

The charity also promotes Primary School Awareness, a program to inform parents, teachers and pediatricians on the causes of childhood trauma to prevent early substance abuse and alcohol disorder, and Reformation of Addiction and Prevention Programs, aimed at increasing the availability of affordable access to quality, evidence-based treatment programs and support networks, including in rural areas.

Board members include Ortoll; Robin Piper, CEO and clinical director of Turning Point of Tampa; Jorge Valiente, president and managing director of Bella Hermida Valiente accounting firm; and Laureen Jacobe, an intensive care unit nurse at Baycare’s St. Joseph’s South in Riverview and an adjunct clinical professor at the University of Tampa.

Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. at the Tampa Theatre, 711 N Franklin St., Tampa. Following the 80-minute screening, there will be a question-and-answer session.

The film is free but those attending are encouraged to donate to the Christine Ortoll Charity online or at the door. Registration through Eventbrite is required. Click here to watch the trailer for "One Second at a Time."