In Memory of Jennifer Reynolds~ Died 1.15.2009
Posted By admin / 11th May 2012
Author Archive
Scottsburg High School Drug Awareness Presentation
Posted By admin / 6th May 2012
It is very important to talk to teens about the dangers of substance use and abuse and the possibility of addiction or overdose. Since my daughter, Jennifer’s death, 3 years ago, I have been a social justice advocate for substance addiction treatment, legislation(amending/improving involuntary commitment laws in Indiana & Florida and substance use awareness. I speak at community events, candle vigils, schools and churches. I share my passion and advocacy to save lives and prevent overdose deaths and tragedies due to substance abuse. ~Sharon Blair
Linkedin- May 3, 2012
Posted By admin / 3rd May 2012
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As I was putting together my profile for Linkedin account, I realized how my advocacy and volunteer work has evolved the past 3 and half years.
I started out with the mission of improving the Involuntary commitment law in Florida, since that is where my daughter, Jennifer, suffered with an opiate addiction for over a decade and died. After utilizing any and all possibilities to intervene and save her life, (including filing 5 Marchman Act) petitions, I saw the real need for improvement/examining Florida’s commitment law and how it would better serve those chronically addicted. I brought the mission to Indiana when I moved here after Jennifer died. It took 3 long years of hard work, dedication and tireless advocacy to introduce The Jennifer Act (improving and examining involuntary commitment laws). The Bill was introduced in Indiana as Senate Bill 380 in 2010, as Senate Bill 22 in 2011 and as Senate ConCurrent Resolution 7 in 2012 and finally passed as SCR 7 on March 9, 2012. In Florida, it was introduced as Senate Bill 1744 in 2012 and passed the first committee hearing but time ran out for the second Committee could hear Senate Bill 1744. There will be an interim study on Senate Bill 1744 over the summer with FL. Senator Storms and Senator Jack Latvala and others on that Senate Committee.
Lobbying for changes does not come easy. It is a lot of work that people don’t realize. However, the hard work is worth it. The end result is saving lives.
Along the way of this advocacy work, I am frequently asked to come and speak about the topics of improving Legislation, Substance abuse, Overdose deaths. I do this on television (HLN/CNN, TBN, FOX 59News, Channel 10 News, CTN), radio and locally and state wide.
As a Christian, I am always in prayer for God to lead me where he wants to use me. My advocacy is now evolving into presentations and speaking to teens and youth about drug awareness and prevention. I provide take home handouts from SAMSHA and DrugFree America. It is my prayer God leads me to do more of these in churches, private schools and public schools and other places.
Here is what I added to my Linkedin account:
Volunteer advocate,Speaker/Presenter for schools (private & public),churches,Recovery Rally’s,Candle Vigils for those who have died of overdose deaths,Mental Health Advocate,Founder of SCR 7 (The Jennifer Act (IN.)
- Groups and Associations:
- Guest Speaker,Committee Volunteer for: NOPE Task Force,Mental Health America of Indiana,REC (Recovery Engagement Center),Addicted To Music (I.U.), High School Guest Speaker Drug Awareness/Prevention
- Honors and Awards:
- Heroes for Recovery Nominee (Indiana 2011) Mental Health America of Indiana, Selected for Indiana -Leadership Academy Training (MHAI) 2011
If a group or organization is interested in a Drug Awareness/Education presentation, they can contact me.
Thank you.
Sharon Blair
April 27, 2012- Mental Health America of Indiana- Chapter Training & Upcoming Agenda
Posted By admin / 29th April 2012
April 27, 2012 Indianapolis, Indiana
Friday, I was invited as a guest speaker to do a presentation and share Jennifer’s story and my advocacy of The Jennifer Act with Mental Health America of Indiana. MHAI offers Chapter Training in current mental health news and issues in the state of Indiana. It is my hope and prayer that by sharing Jennifer’s story, people will gain new knowledge and insight into the needs of those struggling with chronic substance addiction. I addressed the (March 9, 2012) passage of SCR 7 (Senate Concurrent Resolution 7)
Monday, April 30, 2012 I was invited to Bloomington High School South to participate with BHSS Presentation on Drug & Alcohol Prevention & Education. I shared Jennifer’s story and SCR 7 (Senate Concurrent Resolution 7). We provided many handouts to share with the students :“Tips for Teens” provided by SAMSHA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administratation). (Center for Substance Abuse Prevention) & NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse). There was a mock car crash presentation as well. I am so thankful BHSS cares for their students and provides this much needed presentation.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012, I will be a guest and taping another interview/segment for Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN). This is a program called Joy In Our Town This is a local Public Affairs presentation of WCLJ-TV (TBN) digital broadcast channel 42. This program reaches thousands of viewers throughout Bloomington, Indianapolis and south central Indiana. The topic for discussion is: Substance Abuse- Addiction.
I am thankful to God to have these invitations and opportunities to be a guest and speak at these very important events. By increasing awareness, addressing the topic of substance addiction and need for treatment and advocating for involuntary commitment laws, I believe we will save lives from overdose deaths, aid those suffering with addiction issues to gain the treatment services.
I
New Wesbite Design for The Jennifer Act
Posted By admin / 15th April 2012
We are proud to announce the updated design of TheJenniferAct.com website. Hopefully you will find it easier on the eyes, more organized and quite simply, a better tool that can assist us while we continue to spread hope for individuals who are addicted. We are very grateful for the free tools we have at our disposal to help our grassroots movement; namely WordPress, Voosh Themes (free wordpress theme) and Akismet to help keep down on spam messages. The design may evolve over the next few weeks as we tweak the layout and functionality.
4.10.2012 Addiction is a Family Disease
Posted By admin / 10th April 2012
Since starting The Jennifer Act advocacy work 3 years ago, I have met so many families who have a loved one addicted or have died an overdose death. It is hard for some people to even imagine what it would be like to have a family member addicted to drugs (illegal, prescription pills or alcoholism). It is even harder to try and explain it when it does hit your family. The effects of addiction are like a tornado. Families are demolished by the havoc of the storms of addiction. Overdose deaths happen at an alarming rate, addicted parents lose their children, marriages dissolve, jobs are lost, homes are lost, people become “incarcerated inmates” and loved ones are left standing in horror to witness the aftermath. It really is heart breaking what families go through. Addiction is a “family disease”. It does not just affect the person addicted to drugs or the alcoholic. It affects everyone, family and friends.
Here is a picture of our family that once was. (my family) (my 2 daughters) (sisters). Now this is a cherished memory. If your loved one is addicted, please do everything you can to help them attain treatment. Death is close to a chronically addicted person. Their judgement is impaired. Often, they slip in and out of depression, severe anxiety and desperation. If your loved one or friend is struggling with addiction, educate yourself on the subject and how to help the person and if all else fails; do an intervention. Google websites on Substance Addiction, Substance Treatment and Intervention. Families very often are not experts on the subject of addiction (in the beginning). Words like “enabling” “co-dependent” and “setting boundaries” are new buzz words you will hear and experience. (All in the name of love and concern) for the addicted family member or friend. Lastly, get help and support (al-anon and counseling) for yourself, if your dealing with an addicted person in your family or friend. Trust me, trying to “save” an addict from self destruction is the biggest mountain you will ever climb and a mountain you may have to go around over and over as relapses re-occur. Don’t forget to help yourself!!
God bless! Jennifer’s Mother- Sharon Blair
Prescription Painkiller OPANA- 9 Overdose Deaths so far in 2012 in Scott County, Indiana
Posted By admin / 3rd April 2012
Opana: Newest Prescription Painkiller Being Abused in Rural Areas
By Join Together Staff | March 27, 2012
Opana, a powerful opioid, is increasingly being abused in rural America, Reuters reports.
At least nine people have died so far in 2012 from prescription drug overdoses in Scott County, Indiana, and most of the deaths involved Opana.
Low-income people and those living in rural areas are at particular risk of prescription drug overdoses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Law enforcement officials report that Opana abuse began after OxyContin was reformulated in 2010, to make it more difficult to snort or inject. Opana is more potent, per milligram, than OxyContin, making it potentially more deadly, the article notes. Many people who abuse Opana do not realize how strong it is.
People using Opana to get high crush the drug and either snort or inject it. It is an extended-release pill, so crushing it releases the drug all at once. “This Opana pill has really kicked us in the rear,” Indiana State Police Sergeant Jerry Goodin told Reuters. “We’ve never seen an addiction like this.”
While some people who abuse Opana buy them from “pill mills,” others get them from their doctors, or buy them from elderly people who have a prescription for the pills.
Endo Pharmaceuticals, which makes Opana, has announced it is reformulating the drug. The pill will be more difficult to crush, and will turn gooey if liquid is added to it. There has been an increase in pharmacy robberies by people seeking the current formulation of Opana pills since the reformulation was announced.
Opana is prescribed for chronic back pain, as well as pain related to cancer and osteoarthritis.
DRUG AWARENESS & TREATMENT- The Mission of The Jennifer Act
Posted By admin / 22nd March 2012
awareness poster Click here