In 2016, more than 64,000 Americans died to due to drug overdoses. The number of deaths is simply staggering. Hoosiers have been hit particularly hard by the epidemic, as Indiana is one of four states where the overdose rate has more than quadrupled since 1999. Opioid addiction does not discriminate based on income, race, gender, geography, or age. Failure to stop opioid addiction and overdose deaths will allow this epidemic to continue destroying our families and communities....... I have been an "advocate" for substance treatment for those suffering with Substance Use Disorder since 1996 when I discovered my own daughter was suffering with an addiction to opiates. Jennifer suffered for 13 years with an opioid addiction and died as a direct result of her disease of addiction. After her death I have continued advocating (for over 9 years) for improved intervention laws, more treatment services, including providing substance treatment for those incarcerated as a result of their addiction and for those citizens with a SUD. Reflecting over the past 20 years of addressing the opioid crisis and families who are suffering, the epidemic rages on with no end in sight in the USA. Insurance providers do not want to provide behavioral health care coverage (long term residential treatment), the foster care system is overloaded due to a parents addiction resulting in they cannot care for their children, the prisons are overcrowded due to "housing" those who have a substance … [Read more...]
June 11, 2018- “Happy 17th Birthday” Trey
June 11, 2018 Today is a special day. My daughter, Jennifer's son has a birthday today and turns 17 years old. I want to wish my grandson, Trey Andrew Reynolds (birth name) /Yusuf Ahmed best wishes for a very "Happy 17th Birthday". Even though we have not seen you or heard your voice since November 2008, there is not a day that you are not thought of with love and fond memories. I know you are seventeen years old and will be a Senior in high school this August. I know where you attend High School and look forward to attending your graduation in 2019. I hope you did receive your birthday card and all of the birthday and Christmas cards I have mailed you since we last saw you. Your Mother would be very proud of you. She loved you very much and has written a journal to you. I will give you this journal when I see you or you contact me. I also have pictures and other mementos for you. Our family sends you our love, thoughts and prayers. We know all things work together for good to those who love God. We do love God and trust him. Please contact me when you can. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TREY! I love you, Grandma … [Read more...]
Timeline of Opioid Addiction in America
Advocating in Washington, D.C. #APFFamilyDay -April 24-25, 2018
A big thank you to Addiction Policy Forum (non profit organization) ( from a parent advocate who lost a child to overdose) for organizing APF Family Day event in Washington, D.C. #APFFamilyDay. This was my 3rd year attending Addiction Policy Forum's event in D.C. Speaking with Congress members (and last year and testifying at a congressional hearing) was eye opening. April 25, 2018- I joined other families and advocated for Federal Legislation: Opioid Crisis Response Act( OCRA) of 2018,Prevent Overdoses while in ER ( POWER), Comprehensive Opioid Recovery Centers (CORC) Act of 2018 We asked our senators to co-sponsor the Opioid Crisis Response Act (OCRA) of 2018. This legislation would enhance research and discovery efforts, support first responders, improve the efficiency of state grants, encourage the use of recovery supports, develop integrated care models to address treatment gaps, and expand the use of telemedicine. Second, we ask our elected officials to co-sponsor the Preventing Overdoses While in Emergency Rooms (POWER) Act of 2018, which is in both chambers. This bill would provide emergency departments with the resources and tools needed to develop evidence-based protocols for screening overdose patients, initiate treatment with FDA-approved medications in the hospital, and provide rapid referrals to evidence-based treatment before a patient is discharged. It would also help hospitals develop and implement best practices for care coordination and … [Read more...]
Owen County, Spencer, Indiana- Re-Elect Sheriff Sam Hobbs
The Jennifer Act supports Re-Elect Sheriff Sam Hobbs for Owen County Sheriff. Sheriff Sam Hobbs and his Deputies and I share a unified focus on Drug Prevention & Education and on a partnership of working together for Owen County youth in the Spencer-Owen community. Many in our community may or may not be aware, the CDC reports we have lost 62,000 people to overdoses in 2016. That is 174 a day. More than 90% of people with a substance problem began smoking, drinking, or using other drugs before age 18. These are all very good reasons to have a dialogue with our youth. I want to give public recognition for what the Owen County community is doing to address the ever growing opioid epidemic. The Jennifer Act and Owen County Sheriff Sam Hobbs are strong advocates focusing on drug education in the Owen County Schools for Red Ribbon Week. By volunteering and providing these educational school presentations at OVHS, OVMS, Spencer Elementary, McCormick's Creek Elementary, Gosport Elementary, Patricksburg Elementary Schools, we are bringing education and providing handouts, wrist bands, book markers, water bottles, etc. It is a free public service to our community and by speaking directly with the students on the dangers of drugs, including prescription drugs, illegal drugs, alcohol, tobacco, we learn about our youth in our community, their real life issues and how substance abuse is affecting their families in Owen County. I want to personally thank … [Read more...]
INDIANA- Support for Parents of Addicted Loved Ones- Meeting Locations:
The Jennifer Act Advocacy- March 19, 2018
As a volunteer advocate, my 10 year mission is speaking on the topics of legislation, addiction,treatment, recovery & drug education. This mission is in memory of my daughter, Jennifer. For over 9 years, I've received a lot of comments from people. Many are kind and appreciative and then there are those who disagree with my stance and that's okay. It's part of public advocating. I help everyone I can who contact me for advice, guidance or help. I stay faithful in my convictions and belief in my creator and heavenly Father, I believe in Jesus Christ as my Savior. I am pro-life, a conservative and a Republican. I have seen a lot of changes in different approaches to addressing the opioid epidemic and curbing overdose deaths. I lean towards encouraging faith-based treatment as an option to consider. Faith based treatment leads those addicted to the healer who can set them free of their brokenness, spiritually, physically and emotionally. This requires a physical detox, an assessment and a treatment plan. Others don't believe in God or this approach and want "secular" or non-faith based treatment or MAT (medically assisted Treatment) Methadone, suboxone, etc. There is another approach- harm reduction (clean needle exchange) meet the addict where they are, etc. Then there's the buzz "evidence based" "data driven" which is a combo of the above. There is "say "no" to tough love" when dealing with an addicted person and "the war on drugs has failed". We have the "blame the … [Read more...]
Enabling vs Helping a Person With a Substance Use Disorder
It's a difficult fine line for parents of a child suffering with a (SUD) substance use disorder. Defining clear healthy boundaries is necessary for parents and other family members of a loved one with a SUD. Not all whose minds are high-jacked/ impaired by chronic substance use embrace families "being involved" in their care and HIPPA laws make this very difficult. I am seeing an alarming shift in dealing with a person who has a SUD. I was told once by a treatment counselor you can "love an addict to death". I didn't understand it at the time but now I get it. You can get pulled into the vortex of another's addiction and think you are "helping them" but you are enabling them. It's a trial and error method of figuring out what's helping and whats enabling. The line gets blurry when a person is a master at getting what they want, lying or manipulating people (even family). HELPING is doing something for someone that he/she is not capable of doing himself. ENABLING is doing for someone things that he/she could and should be doing himself. --The Jennifer Act www.thejenniferact.com … [Read more...]
My Prayer for “Special Mothers”-By: Sharon Blair
Prayer for Special Mothers Reflection and prayer for all the mothers who have addicted sons and daughters teenagers or adults makes no difference Christian mothers are taught to trust "have faith, don't worry" to do anything else is lacking trust in God Almighty, we hang on then hang on the ankles of our sons and daughters crying tears their feet in desperation we beg and we plead "here we go again" the familiar tape plays over no one understands only a mother who walks the lonely road of fear and dread of lurking danger understands and reads between these lines other mothers will never know what THIS mother lives each day the sons and daughters who succumbed to Satan's lies his deadly whispering call they have names! some even have children! all that is left are pictures and dreams of what could have been what shouldn't be what heartache and pain each day to breathe to these special mothers who tried to set them free who tried to release … [Read more...]
Indiana Senate Concurrent Resolution No.41 (SCR 41) State Senator Eric Bassler
Indiana State Senator Eric Bassler has drafted legislation- Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 41. The Resolution was heard at the Indiana Statehouse in The Senate Chamber on Tuesday, Feb.20, 2018 at 1:30pm and in the House Chamber at 1:45pm. This is located on the 3rd floor, Senate & House side. The public attended and sat on the 4th floor in the Senate gallery to watch (it overlooks the Senate chamber). I was present with State Senator Eric Bassler on the Senate floor to introduce SCR No.41 and present with State Rep. Bob Heaton on the House floor. Here is the vote and actions taken: INDIANA Actions for Senate Concurrent Resolution 41 H 02/22/2018 Representative Davisson added as cosponsor H 02/21/2018 Returned to the Senate H 02/20/2018 First reading: adopted voice vote S 02/20/2018 Referred to the House S 02/20/2018 House sponsor: Representative Heaton S 02/20/2018 First reading: adopted voice vote S 02/20/2018 Authored by Senator Bassler Footer navigation links We must stay diligent in addressing the drug epidemic in Indiana and across the country. We are losing 174 a day to overdose deaths, according to the CDC. These are alarming statistics. Senate Concurrent Resolution 41 was adopted in both the Senate & House Chambers. **Click here to read Senate Concurrent Resolution No .41: SCR NO. 41- Sen. … [Read more...]
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