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Condition of First Ebola-Diagnosed Patient on American Soil Worsens; Fighting Continues Around Syrian Town of Kobani; New Video of the Next Possible Victim of ISIS Released; Mumia Abu-Jamal to Deliver Commencement Address at a Vermont College
Aired October 05, 2014 - 15:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: CNN's Martin Savidge goes back to the beginning retraces the key moments of flight 370 and asked experts the questions we all want to know. Be sure to watch "Vanished, the mystery of Malaysia Airlines flight 370" this Tuesday at 9:00 p.m. We have much more straight ahead here in the NEWSROOM and it all begins right now.
Hello, again, everyone. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. These are the stories topping our news this hour.
Texas health officials on high alert, brand new information about the missing man the CDC said might be at risk. We're live in Dallas with the latest.
Plus, how did the known Ebola patient make it from Africa through Europe and into the U.S. by plane? I'm talking to our aviation analyst about whether enhanced screenings would make the borders any safer.
And he's serving a life sentence for killing a police officer. And in about an hour he will deliver a college commencement speech. I'm talking to the interim college president about this controversy.
We begin with the fight to keep the deadly Ebola virus contained in the United States. Just a short time ago, the CDC chief, Dr. Tom Frieden spoke to reporters saying he is confident there won't be an outbreak.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TOM FRIEDEN, CDC DIRECTOR: We have no doubt we will stop it in its tracks in Texas. It's worth stepping back and saying how Ebola spreads. Ebola only spreads by direct contact with someone who's sick or with their body fluids.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Meanwhile, Thomas Eric Duncan, the only person diagnosed with Ebola in the U.S. is fighting for his life. He is in critical condition.
Let's go to CNN senior medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen in Dallas. So Elizabeth, police have been searching for a homeless man who may
have had contact with Duncan. Where are they in that search?
ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: You know what, Fredricka, we just heard from a federal official that they found this homeless man just some time in the past two hours or two. And this man is now with the authorities. He is being put up somewhere. That's what we're told and that he -- his health is being monitored. And his needs are being taken care of. So that's certainly good news.
However, this federal official also said that there are two other individuals, two other contacts of Duncan who they can't get in touch with. They have called these people. These people are not homeless. They have residences. They have gone to the residences. They haven't been home. They haven't answered the phone when they have been called.
And while they're concerned, they want to emphasize that these two people are low risk. And Fredricka, I'll explain what I mean by that.
These two individuals were in the ambulance after Duncan was and the ambulance workers used a glucometer (ph). That we called we all had it used on us. It is a little thing that pricks your finger, get some blood and tests for blood sugar levels.
Well, they changed the needle out, of course, between people, but there could possibly be some residual blood on that device. And they just want to make sure that these two other people that their health gets monitored. That they get their temperature taken twice a day, et cetera. And so, they're still looking for these two people. The official I talked to said they're confident they'll find the two people by the end of the day -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: All right, Elizabeth Cohen, thanks so much. Keep us posted.
All right. Now overseas to the latest on the battle against ISIS. The fighting continues around the Syrian town of Kobani, along the border with Turkey. And despite coalition airstrike, the ISIS fighters have reached the outskirts of the city.
CNN's Phil Black is in the area and earlier spoke with CNN's Jim Clancy. He said some locals are making a dash for Turkey and then they are being met with teargas by Turkish authorities.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PHIL BLACK, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Largely Kurdish people from Turkey because the ethnicity, ethnic group -- sorry, they just fired some more teargas into this crowded area here, Jim. And the crowd is responding. They're picking up the canisters and trying to throw them at a distance. It is in the air. It's certainly biting us but we're able to continue going at this stage. I think. OK. We are going to keep this gas mask close just in case.
The teargas is in the air. It's beginning to bite a little in the air. What I'm trying to say, Jim, that these Kurdish people, for them it's their homeland both on this Turkish side of the border but also, of course, on the Syrian side as well.
What it represents for ISIS is very much -- a very important strategic foot hold. It would give ISIS access to the vast section of the Turkish border which is largely considered to be a key re-supply route for ISIS.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Thanks so much to Phil Black there.
And a 21-year-old marine is believed to be the first American casualty in the fight against ISIS. Corporal Jordan Spears bailed out of an osprey military plane when it appeared it might crash into the Persian Gulf. He went missing Wednesday and the Pentagon said he was lost at sea. Spars has been declared dead. But his death hasn't been classified, so it's still unknown if it will be considered a combat fatality.
Meanwhile, lawmakers continue to debate if the U.S. can defeat is without ground forces. Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island and South Carolina senator Lindsey Graham both weighed in on CNN's "STATE OF THE UNION" earlier today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JACK REED (D), RHODE ISLAND: I think the president's plan makes sense. We are using our superior air power, our intelligence, our ability at the highest levels of command in Iraq to provide advice and assistance.
CANDY CROWLEY, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: But no troops on the ground and you heard Senator Graham --
REED: Well, there will be troops --
CROWLEY: No U.S. troops on the ground.
REED: There will be troops on the ground.
SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM (R), SOUTH CAROLINA: The job of the commander in- chief is to protect the country. And the job of the house members and senators is to protect the country. And I think most Americans understand if we don't destroy ISIL, if they survive our best shot, that we're all less safe and at the end of the day you cannot destroy ISIL in Syria without a ground component. And what we're doing with the free Syrian army is military unsound.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: And remember Congress went on recess before voting to authorize some military action against ISIS.
All right. Typhoon hits southern Japan and washes three U.S. airmen out to sea. One of the men has died. Search efforts are underway for the two other airmen. All three were stationed at a U.S. military base in Okinawa.
All right. How did a person with Ebola make it from Africa through Europe and into the U.S. by plane? We'll ask our aviation analyst if enhanced screenings would make the border safer.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: United Airlines says it has thoroughly cleaned the two planes that Ebola patient Thomas Eric Duncan flew in after leaving Liberia, one from Brussels to Washington Dulles airport. The other to Dallas Forth Worth. The airline says the jets remain in circulation and notes the CDC statement that there is quote "zero risk of transmission," end quote, to passengers who flew on the aircraft.
But what about the risks posed to the flying public if a passenger is experiencing Ebola symptoms? A top Ebola expert discussed the threat with CNN's Dan Simon.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DAN SIMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Dr. Suzanne Donovan is an expert on Ebola. She recently completed a month long stand in Sierra Leone, treating Ebola victim.
What made you volunteer?
DOCTOR SUZANNE DONOVAN, INFECTIOUS DISEASE PHYSICIAN: Well, this is what I do. You know? I'm an infectious disease physician.
SIMON: She's come with us aboard a 767 jetliner. Now out of service. To discuss the risk Ebola could have to the American flying public.
So let's say somebody has Ebola and they're showing symptoms and you are sitting next to that person. Any chance you could get it?
DONOVAN: I can understand passengers' concern about being exposed but this is something that's transmitted with direct contact of body fluids.
SIMON: If saliva or bodily fluid gets either on the tray or arm rest and you touch it and then you touch your nose, you touch your mouth --
DONOVAN: And you are bringing a very rare scenario. So now, it say you're at greater risk of driving to the airport and getting in a car accident than being infected with Ebola by being on an airplane.
SIMON: Fears have escalated since the revelation a Liberian national was diagnosed with Ebola after flying to the U.S., but Dr. Donovan says Americans have little to worry about. From temperature and symptom screenings in many African airports to the low risk of coming in direct contact with body fluids of the infected patient.
Now, let's assume a worst case scenario for a moment, that there's an infected person on board and that person is also showing symptoms and you're the unlucky passenger sitting right next to him. Even with those circumstances, Dr. Donovan said the risk of you getting the disease is still very low.
What about just the fabric on the airplane? Say for instance, bodily fluids get on the fabric, get on the seats. What's the probability of you getting it that way?
DONOVAN: It's very susceptible to cleaning agents. So even soap and water in Africa we use bleach solutions frequently. But even washing your hands with soap and water would kill the virus.
SIMON: Ebola is not an airborne virus. So unlike the flu, there's little concern about getting it from someone who coughs or sneezes on a plane. But the U.N. Ebola chief raises the possibility, however remote, that the virus could mutate and become airborne.
DONOVAN: Well that would be a game changer.
SIMON: A game-changer because Ebola could become a much more infectious transmitted just like the flu.
DONOVAN: I have seen some of those concerns raised and clearly any virus that became airborne with this type of lethality rate would be concerning.
SIMON: Until then there seems to be no reason to alter flying habits.
Dan Simon, CNN, Victorville, California.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: And as we mentioned, the man who became the first diagnosed Ebola case in the U.S. flew here without any problems traveling to the U.S. through Brussels, he showed no symptoms until after his arrival in the U.S. But he also may have lied about whether he was in contact with Ebola patients.
Now, the director of the CDC said the agency is reviewing the possibility of increased entry screenings for the U.S. This as the director prepares to brief the president tomorrow.
Joining me right now is CNN aviation analyst and former inspector general for the department of transportation Mary Schiavo.
So we heard from the CDC director Thomas Frieden today that increased screening is being looked at. What does that mean, exactly?
MARY SCHIAVO, CNN AVIATION ANALYST: Well, it means, some screening period, we don't have to talk hypotheticals here. Let's talk about what actually is happening.
What's happening here is people are connecting through all flights to the U.S. Most U.S. carriers don't go there to the nations that have -- nations with active Ebola outbreaks. There are some others that did have and we did have flights there. So people are connecting on to U.S. flights on to the United States.
Right now the only screening is someone in Africa, and these are African connection flights. They're hit or miss. They're taking temperatures supposedly of people and that's the screening. The federal aviation administration issued its first statement on Friday, basically punting and saying, well, it's up to the CDC. So right now, we don't have a robust screening system in place. And so until we do, we should stop, we should take a step back and we should ban the flights until we've put the screening in place. And why it's taken so long is a mystery.
WHITFIELD: Who would conduct the screening if it comes to that?
SCHIAVO: That's the best question of all. Because the federal aviation administration has punted and their statement leaves it up to the airlines. Well, airlines, you know, they're great at flying us from point "a" to point "b" but they're not medical personnel. And so, right now, are United States government said it's up to the airlines and the CDC. And so, what is going to have to be is -- and by the way, and they leave health issues to local authorities. Federal aviation administration does not regulate cleaning the planes and health issues on the plane including food safety.
So, what they're going to have to do is designate who is going to be responsible, most likely the CDC, and they're going to have to put people in place to do it. The TSA can't do it. They have jobs to do. Border patrol, et cetera. So we are going to have to have people who are trained and designate to do it and screen people coming into the United States.
It only makes common sense. You know, we should protect the United States. We can't rely upon people in Africa to protect us. They're busy.
WHITFIELD: And then what about cleaning of the planes? We know that it happens after every flight as it is right now. But now you're talking about a new and different kind of threat. What kind of modifications do you see, you know, in the pipe line where that's concerned?
SCHIAVO: Well, this is the biggest disconnect at all. The CDC has made so many statements saying you have nothing to worry about. But in fact, the CDC have issued cleaning guidelines. And if there's a suspected Ebola patient on board, literally, the cleaning crew is supposed to be in moon suits, double glove boots, protective breathing apparatus and face shields. So they are sending this messages as well. And the cleaning doesn't involve throwing some bleach on the seats because the seats are usually cloth by the way. And you can't get the bleach on the wire in the airplane.
And remember, their craft and cleaning crews are pressured to do things quickly. So I think this puts a whole new -- a whole new twist on cleaning aircraft. You know, some airlines brag about a, you know, a 20-minute or 10-minute turn. So it's a huge different way to clean the plane. It's very labor intensive.
So in all -- for all intents and purposes if you have a suspect Ebola case on the plane, that plane is going to have to be taken out of the service for their cleaning because that is not reaching aircraft cleaning. By the way, the FAA doesn't specify cleaning -- how you should clean the plane.
WHITFIELD: All right. Mary Schiavo, thank you so much. That's why we call on you. Appreciate it.
SCHIAVO: Thank you.
WHITFIELD: All right, he murdered a police officer years it goes. So why is Mumia Abu-Jamal, the commencement speaker at a Vermont college? A look at the controversy at Goddard College next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: All right. We all love our cars, but the future may have fewer of them on the road. Richard Quest looks at how we're getting around in the future.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RICHARD QUEST, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A century ago, trolleys and trams ruled the roads. That is, until the almighty automobile came along. Now, a younger generation of urban commuters are reversing course once again.
DAVE UNSWORTH, TRI-MET TRANSIT AGENCY: We will go in the future. We see a lot of people coming to our community. We have to figure out how to get them around.
QUEST: Light rail is still seen by some as the Cinderella way of getting around town. As long as cars are faster, the majority of people will take to their own wheels.
See that bridge over there? About a year from now, a transportation planners hope it will change the equation.
When it's ready then it become crossing bridge will be the first of its kind in the United States. Off limits to private automobiles. The bridge will gladly carry light rail trains, city buses and there will be plenty of room for bike lanes and pedestrians.
Portland has partners with a local starter, GlobeSherpa creating a commuter friendly app for the smart phone.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Making the mobile device as frictionless as possible is our goal.
QUEST: The app allows riders to pay for rail and buses without having to buy multiple tickets.
What this really shows is that when government thinks big, invests heavily for the future and harnesses the power of technology. Then when it comes to our journey's, tomorrow is transformed.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) WHITFIELD: About an hour from now, one of the most well known and controversial convicted cop killers will give the commencement address at a Vermont school. Mumia Abu-Jamal taped his speech for Goddard College from behind bars in Pennsylvania where he is currently serving a life sentence. He was selected by the students of Goddard, a decision that has been met with a whole lot of criticism.
Jennifer Costa from our affiliate WCAX takes a look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JENNIFER COSTA, WCAX REPORTER (voice-over): It's a small school making big headlines in plain field after selecting a cop killer to speak at graduation.
COL. TOM L'ESPERANCE, VERMONT STATE POLICE: It has hit a nerve.
COSTA: Goddard College is known for bucking cultural norms but the colonel of the Vermont state police says this time the school crossed the line.
L'ESPERANCE: This is ridiculous to have someone like this individual have a voice, to talk to college students at their graduation day is -- it's embarrassing and it's disgusting all wrapped up in one.
COSTA: Mumia Abu-Jamal is serving life without parole for gunning down a Philadelphia police officer during a traffic stop in 1981. The 60-year-old former black panther claims he was wrongfully convicted by a racist justice system. Celebrities defended his cause.
Mumia wrote books and became one of the most famous death row inmates. Before that sentence was overturned in 2011. He will live out his days in a Pennsylvania prison. Goddard grads want to hear from the controversial alum. Mumia's commencement speech will be prerecorded. And the school is proud of its pick.
The interim president released a statement saying, choosing Mumia as their commencement speaker, to me, shows how the newest group of Goddard graduates expresses their freedom to engage and think radically and critically in a world that often sets up barriers to do that.
CHANT: Free Mumia now!
COSTA: It's not the first time Mumia has made waves in the green mountains. In 1995, a protester climbed atop the UVM water tow tore hang a banner opposing his execution. That same year, a half dozen protesters were arrested outside the National Governors' Conference at a Burlington hotel. They were trying to convince Pennsylvania's governor to set Mumia free.
L'ESPERANCE: This individual was sentenced to life in prison, his voice should be silenced at this point.
COSTA: Detective sergeant Mike O'Neal agrees. He heads the troopers association. And sent a letter on behalf of its 280 members to the school to rescind Mumia's invitation. He has not heard back. But he and the colonel have heard from officer Danny Faulkner's widow who is struggling to understand how her husband's killer is back in the spotlight.
DET. SGT. MIKE O'NEAL, VERMONT STATE POLICE: She relives this crime over and over. And Goddard college is responsible for that this time. They made a decision to re-victimize the widow of a police officer killed in the line of duty.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: And in about three minutes interim president of Goddard College will be joining me to discuss the controversy surrounding the selection of this commencement speaker.
And the sister of a survivalist suspected of killing a police officer thinks her brother is long gone and she has a message for her older brother.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: All right. Bottom of the hour now. Welcome back. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. Here are several other big stories we are following.
Police are still searching for a survivalist accused of killing a Pennsylvania trooper and severely injuring another. But according to Reuters, Erin Frein's sister say, police are wasting their time and he is likely already gone. 18-year-old Tiffany Frein begged her older brother to turn himself in. The police came across what may have his been Frein's camp site last week, but there's been no other sign of him.
A complete loss. That's how investigators are describing a fire at the flight 93 national memorial headquarters in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The building is about two miles from where the United Airlines plane crashed on September 11th. Destroyed artifacts include a flag that had flown at the U.S. capitol on 9/11. The park service was able to saved a photo archive and oral histories. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
And history was made in the major league baseball playoffs last night. The San Francisco Giants and Washington Nationals played the longest playoff game in history. Six hours, 23 minutes and it was actually two full games, 18 innings. The giants won 2-1 on a home run by Brandon Belt in the 18th inning.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Nick, you're probably the most hated man in America right now. Did you kill your wife, Nick?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: A big opening weekend for the movie "Gone Girl." The film version of Gillian Flynn's novel was number one at the box office this weekend, taking in $38 million. It stars Ben Affleck. And the horror film "Annabelle" came in a very close second place taking in $37 million.
All right, earlier we told you about the controversial commencement speaker at Goddard College. In less than half an hour from now, convicted cop killer Mumia Abu-Jamal's recorded commencement speech will be played at the small Vermont school.
Abu-Jamal was convicted in the 1981 shooting death of a Philadelphia police officer, Daniel Faulkner. Abu-Jamal is serving a commuted sentence of life in prison without parole. Abu-Jamal was chosen by the students to be their speaker and it's a decision the school is standing by.
I'm joined on the phone now by Goddard college's interim president, Robert Kenny.
All right, so Mr. Kenny, why did the students select Abu-Jamal?
ROBERT KENNY, INTERIM PRESIDENT, GODDARD COLLEGE (via phone): Good afternoon. Yes, it's a good question.
Goddard college requires its students to engage in a deep intellectual inquiry into issues of meaning and importance of this kind. And this is the essence of every student's path to a program completion and graduation and we're committed to helping them in that process.
What they determined was that Abu-Jamal had a message that would help them in that exploration. And based on that, they made the case to -- to invite him and ended up inviting him to be their commencement speaker.
WHITFIELD: And this is a recorded message, so you had a chance to see, listen to that recorded message and you're endorsing the message he's conveying?
KENNY: We endorsed his commencement speech before we listened to the speech. There wasn't any screening of that type, but we did subsequently look at the speech and all that did was confirm that the issues that he brings forward and brings them forward thoughtfully are worthy of off students' exploration.
WHITFIELD: What are some of the issues that he's talking about?
KENNY: Well, Abu-Jamal, not that it's the commencement alone, he has much writing on topics that he feels are critical for us to consider as a society including the black experience and race relations, social and criminal justice and their systems, social change, the prison system and he also speaks highly about the importance of critical evaluation of those issues and bringing in many, many sides of the issue in order to understand it and come to a conclusion as to what -- how to move forward.
WHITFIELD: So he has been described as a world renowned activist, he's a Goddard alum, and as we mentioned, he is a convicted killer of a police officer in 1981. Although, the likes of Nelson Mandela, Toni Morrison and even Desmond Tu to questioned his conviction, have you heard from the parents of these graduates or even some students who don't feel that his message will be appropriate or that he as an invited speaker is appropriate?
KENNY: The commencement attendance is expected to be a full house. It would be wrong of me to say that this is a universally accepted principle, but I would say that it is widely accepted. His speech -- giving this speech, widely accepted, maybe even -- well, I won't say universally. I believe one student has come to my attention that may feel uneasy about it.
But that's part of the process of exploration. You have to be able to look at issues that sometimes are difficult for people to look at. And so, we're not dismissing that and we certainly embrace the fact that somebody can feel that way just as we do embrace the fact that the public can feel that way, that we are doing something that is incorrect. And we have to just -- go ahead.
WHITFIELD: OK. And Mr. President, you know, among the opponent, the wife of the slain Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner, a Pennsylvania's department of corrections secretary and even CNN's Michael Smerconish who had this to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAEL SMERCONISH, CNN HOSTS, SMERCONISH: Sadly the idea that he would be a college commencement speaker is not unprecedented. It happened in 1999 in the state of Washington and again in the year 2000 at a school in Ohio.
I attended the second of those events with Maureen Faulkner in protest of what was taking place. And what I recall most from that experience 14 years ago was concluding that the students desperately wanted attention. They loved the media spectacle their invitation generated. Which is why now I will not identify the Vermont college that on Sunday will disrespect the police officer murdered in the line of duty. It's bad enough that for 32 years Abu-Jamal has succeed in making it all about him.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: So Mr. President, I wonder if you can respond to that and perhaps when the student body said this is who we want as our speaker, did you have any initial worries or concerns?
KENNY: The response to that is of course that the -- a lot of the concern that has been brought forward is by the way that the media in essence has looked at this as a unilateral kind of a uni-purpose kind of action, you know.
I would think and I hope as we move forward that the media does its job and that is to look more deeply at what exactly Abu-Jamal says, his message, what he does and so on. There's a lot to be had there.
And as for the students being somehow in desiring some kind of a public stage that goes beyond their private explorations, eventually the answer to that is yes, but did it have anything to do with this selection t answer to that as far as I'm aware no.
They are -- we have students that are older students. They're, almost all, experienced in the world. They are not the traditional 18 to 22- year-old students that you see on a typical college campus. Our average age of the undergraduates are 30-years-old. They are adults. They do make decisions as adults. So I think that responds to that. There was a second part to your question. I'm sorry.
WHITFIELD: No, you have answered both of them, actually. Interim president of Goddard College, Robert Kenny, thank you for your time. Appreciate it.
KENNY: OK, you're welcome.
WHITFIELD: All right, coming up next, are airport Ebola screenings good enough? We have new developments on some possible changes.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: All right. New developments now. Brand new information about how America's airports are protecting travelers from Ebola. Let's go to CNN senior medical correspond end Elizabeth Cohen with more on this -- Elizabeth.
COHEN: Fredricka, an interesting development today. So a week ago when I came home from Liberia to Atlanta, when I left Liberia, they were so scrupulous about checking us. We got our temperature checked three times, we had nurses looking at us to make sure we weren't sick. And when I arrived in Atlanta, I was shocked and, Fred, to tell you the truth pretty horrified there was basically no screening.
And so today we're learning from federal officials that they are strongly considering having screening in U.S. airports. Including taking people's temperatures when they have come from an Ebola infected country as I did a week ago -- Fred.
WHITFIELD: And so Elizabeth, perhaps even on your own, maybe there wasn't a directive coming from, you know, airport authorities or medical authorities even in Liberia, but have you, you know, given yourself any kind of regular health screenings, checking your temperature since you have been back in a week? Just because we're learning so much more about Ebola and, you know, how you have to be vigilant in monitoring yourself?
COHEN: That's right. So Fred, CNN follows the CDC guidelines which is that if you have returned from one of these Ebola infected countries for 21 days you need to take your temperature twice a day, which is what I have been doing. And also just, you know, checking yourself for symptoms. You know, diarrhea, vomiting, all of those things. And so, we have been doing that, myself and my two colleagues who worked with me in Liberia. You know, we're very, very careful about that.
WHITFIELD: All right, very good. Thanks so much for the update as well on the airport screenings and where they could potentially go. Elizabeth Cohen, appreciate it. COHEN: Thanks.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's like a -- you feel like super woman. I don't know. It's hard to explain.
LISA LING, HOST, THIS IS LIFE: I'll ask what you're on right now?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Heroin and meth.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Still ahead, Lisa Ling unveils the unholy addiction plaguing Salt Lake City.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: The family of American hostage Peter Kassig is begging for his safe return. Kassig's family made a video, asking ISIS to spare his life. That's after ISIS threatened to kill him in the video.
CNN's Alexandra Field has more about why he went to Syria in the first place.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ALEXANDRA FIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A 26-year-old man from Indiana held captive by ISIS. Chillingly, they have warned the world Peter Kassig could be their next victim following the brutal killing of Alan Henning, a British aid worker. In agony, Kassig's parents are appealing to those holding him.
ED KASSIG, PETER KASSIG'S FATHER: We know that the Syrians are suffering. We also believe violence is not the solution to the problems that trouble us all.
PAULA KASSIG, PETER KASSIG'S MOTHER: Most of all, know that we love you. And our hearts ache for you to be granted your freedom so we can hug you again. And then set you free to continue the life you have chosen. The life of service to those in greatest need.
FIELD: Captive for a year now, Kassig's parents say their son had been helping Syrian refugees.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I just remember him saying like he felt like he had a bigger calling. He went to school here at Butler. And he felt like he wanted to go out and do more for, you know, just humanity as a whole which was so inspiring for me. You know, as a Syrian, as an American with Syrian roots to see someone that, you know, cared so much about a people he technically didn't have any relation to.
FIELD: Kassig is from Indianapolis. He went to north central high school and then decided to serve, deploying to Iraq with the army rangers in 2007. He went on to study political science at Butler University. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He talked a lot about his plans. You know, he
always wanted to do something that was bigger than his life as he said it. He is being part of a bigger picture.
FIELD: Kassig soon changed course. Training to become an EMT and then setting out on another mission to serve. This time taking on humanitarian aid work. In 2012 he was treating wounded Syrians when he spoke to CNN's Arwa Damon in Lebanon.
PETER KASSIG, ISIS HOSTAGE: This is what I was put here to do. I guess I'm just a hopeless romantic and I'm an idealist. And I believe in hopeless causes.
FIELD: One year later he was running a nongovernmental organization in Turkey working on both sides of the Syrian border to deliver food and medical supplies and to give refugees much need medical care.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He wanted to be on the ground, helping people. And he had some, you know, medic skills from his time in the military. And so, I think he saw this, you know, saw a dire need and he thought he could help fill that need.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: And Alexandra joining us live now from Indianapolis. So what is the Kassig family reaction to the murder of the British aid worker, Alan Henning?
FIELD: Fred, obviously, they were devastated by Henning's death. Also, increases the urgency for the need to get Peter Kassig home safely. So his parents did put out a statement, really graciously honoring the life and the work of Alan Henning, paying tribute to him and his family. And again, calling for the safe return of their son peter Kassig -- Fred.
WHITFIELD: All right, Alexandra Field, thank you so much. And we will be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: A new episode of Lisa Ling's "THIS IS LIFE" airs tonight at 10:00 right here on CNN. It's called "Unholy Addiction." And it uncovers a secret side of Salt Lake City.
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LING (voice-over): For the first time the Mormon church is allowing cameras into a very private place. The LDS church acknowledges that addiction is a problem. So it is instituted its own 12 set program for its members. But the meetings don't just happen in Salt Lake City. There are 2,800 meetings a week all around the world and we have been invited to the one here in Salt Lake.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Welcome to the church of Jesus Christ of latter day Saints addiction recovering meeting.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Step one, admit that you, of yourself, are powerless to overcome your addictions.
LING: This program uses the same 12 guiding principles of recovery that were first introduced by alcoholics anonymous. But here, there is no question who their higher power is.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Step five, admit to yourself and to your heavenly father in the name of Jesus Christ.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Step six.
LING: The attendees are all members of the church going through the same struggle of faith and addiction.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I will never forget that first Oxycotin I took. I was on a golf course. It was like a miracle cure.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I wanted to, you know, be the good church going soccer mom. And what I found is that pill solve that problem for me. A few years later I found myself with a needle in my arm leaving out of my car, had abandoned the kids for two years. Got a divorce and had absolutely nothing.
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WHITFIELD: Pretty powerful stuff..
I recently talked to Lisa about Salt Lake City's drug problem and the resident surprising willingness, as you saw it right there, to be so open about their lives.
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LING: Utah, which is a state where the population is mostly Mormon has been successful in maintaining some of the lowest rates of crime and the lowest level of addiction to illicit drugs. However, they have had a huge, huge problem with prescription pills. And if you watch this episode, you will find out why people have really become so vulnerable to the grit of prescription pill addiction.
But, I think there's a perception that the Mormon church is very secretive and doesn't always like to talk openly about some of the challenges they experienced within their church and membership.
But I was really surprised that so many people in this community and church officials open up their hearts -- wore their hearts on their sleeves in telling me really deeply personal stories and acknowledging that prescription pill addiction is a big problem in the church and in the community. And that they are really, really trying to address it head on.
WHITFIELD: You had some candid moments, eye-opening candid moments with a mother and daughter. And then that helped open an avenue to the daughter's friend, Sarah, and that was quite extraordinary that she was willing to tell you her experiences and why and it was clear she is still strung out because there was a lot of twitching and she admitted it. LING: Yes.
WHITFIELD: Were you surprised how honest she was?
LING: I was surprised. But at the same time, one of the things I have noticed when I interacted with people with severe addictions is they are crying out for help. The reason why I think Sarah was so forth coming with her story was because she is desperate. And she is in a place where she needs help from other people. And I really hope, you know, Sarah shared so much with us. I hope that I have an opportunity to interact with her again because as we all know, when it comes to severe addictions, people often either end up in prison or dead. And one of the most chilling things that Sarah shared with me was just how many of her friends had died as a result of pill addiction. And I just -- I truly hope that Sarah is able to find the support and help that she needs.
WHITFIELD: Extraordinary story. Lisa Ling, thanks so much and welcome.
LING: Thanks so much, Fredricka.
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WHITFIELD: All watch "THIS IS LIFE" with Lisa Ling, "Unholy Addiction" tonight 10:00 Eastern right here on CNN.
