SPENCER, Ind. (WTHR) — An Indiana mother who lost her daughter to addiction years ago says a new pilot program in the state is not enough. The program allows officials in three Indiana counties to essentially force people with life threatening drug addiction into treatment. Sharon Blair lost her daughter Jennifer in 2009, long before many of us had even heard of opioids. Now eight years later she is still fighting for her daughter and the thousands of others just like her. Jennifer battled addiction for 13 years before eventually losing that fight at the age of 29. "There is a stigma to mental health issues, a stigma to addiction issues." said Blair. "That is another reason I speak out. I am not ashamed that my daughter suffered from addiction. I am sad I could not get her the help that she needed to save her life." Now that she sees the state starting a three year, three county pilot program, she feels compelled to speak up. "That is a long time for now. My concern is what about all other counties not in those three districts that need help right now," said Blair. "For somebody who is getting ready to die, they can't wait. We are losing 144 people a day in the U.S. to overdose. That number keeps climbing," she continued. Blair would like to simplify the process by naming it after her daughter Jennifer. If someone needs immediate help and needs to be committed, she would like them to be able to simply call it "Jennifer's law." "It's too complicated and … [Read more...]
My daughters Jennifer Reynolds, (me) Sharon Blair & Sarah Blair-Hixon
I cherish the memories and the photos of my daughter, Jennifer, my daughter Sarah and the times we would spend together. This photo was on Easter. We were going to church. - … [Read more...]
Red Ribbon Week Kickoff- 2017 Owen County, Indiana Schools
We kicked of Red Ribbon Week 2017 in Owen County, Indiana. This is a great group of dedication right here! Joining me is Owen County Sheriff's Department (Sheriff Sam Hobbs & Deputies), Safe Place and Bruce Yates- School Guidance Counselor. Many thanks to them all for joining me as we educate our youth about the dangers of substance use. EDUCATION is KEY to their future. God bless these dedicated folks. -Sharon Blair Founder of The Jennifer Act Jennifer Reynolds Mother … [Read more...]
CBS- 60 Minutes Exclusive Interview with DEA – My Inquiry – Gov. Chris Christie
*** Clic on the link to watch CBS- 60 Minutes exclusive interview with DEA: http://wapo.st/2iezXYF?tid=ss_mail&utm_term=.d5878b251910 Oct. 16, 2017 Governor Chris Christie and the President's Commission addressing the Opioid Crisis; I am sharing the link for you to read the 60 Minutes segment that aired last night on CBS. This story is very alarming. I lost my daughter to a prescription drug overdose in Largo, Florida, Jan.15, 2009 at the height of the opioid pill mill epidemic in Florida. I am shocked that the DEA is not able to do their job and is undermined by our U.S. Congressmen, including Rep. Tom Marino who has now been selected by President Trump as the U.S. candidate for the drug czar position. This story is a slap in the face to all grieving parents whose child has died from a direct result of a prescription drug overdose. I would like to see a class action law suit against these elected officials who deliberately derailed our own DEA to do their job and stop these pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors from allowing access to these deadly opiates that killed our children. I have been a Public Health Advocate for eight years. I will volunteer to testify on Capitol Hill and share my daughter Jennifer Reynolds story for the purpose of saving others lives who have a loved one currently struggling with a chronic substance use disorder. Too many have died of prescription drug overdose. Too many families are burying their … [Read more...]
Request to Assist Governor Chris Christie and Response:
As a parent who lost a child to a prescription drug overdose and an advocate, I reached out to Governor Chris Christie and the President's Commission addressing the Opioid Crisis, to volunteer and offer my assistance. This is the response: From: Slater, Sanquetta R. EOP/ONDCP <Sanquetta_R_Slater@ondcp.eop.gov Oct. 13, 2017 TO: Sharon Blair Hello, Thank you for offering your assistance regarding the addiction crisis in our Country. Although we cannot accommodate any additional meetings at this time, I welcome your input and invite you to submit any comments or recommendations to Commission@ondcp.eop.gov . The epidemic of addiction is ravaging our Nation and destroying families in every state. According to the Surgeon General, an American dies every 19 minutes from an overdose of heroin or prescription opioids, and nearly 50,000 people died in 2014 of a drug overdose. While this crisis is very real, it is also important to recognize that addiction is a disease and it can be treated. Arresting, jailing and stigmatizing these victims will not make it better. I am honored by the chance to address some of these same problems at the national level, and look forward to bringing help and support to the individuals and families who are struggling with this devastating crisis. If you would like to follow the work of the President's Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis, information on its meetings and reports can be found on the … [Read more...]
Journalist Nicole De Criscio- The Evening World- Spencer, IN- Oct. 9, 2017
Join us! Oct. 7, 2017-Lawrence County Recovery Day- Bedford, Indiana
I look forward to partnering with others in Lawrence County Recovery Day- Bender Lumber Company, Bedford 3120 Brock Lane, Bedford, Indiana 47421 The mission is to bring together all aspects of addiction treatment & recovery. This includes interventionists, in-patient and out-patient treatment options, after care, sober living facilities and support groups. This event will be held at the Bender Lumber Banquet Hall. Partners: PAL (Parents of Addicted Loved Ones) Heaven Nevaeh Celebrate Recovery Lawrence County CARE Midwest Interventions, Brandon Drake Karen Little Recovery Lawrence County Health Department Indiana Center for Recovery Bloomington Meadows Hospital Amethyst House Sharon Blair/The Jennifer Act Latter Glory House Courage to Change Sober Living Mitchell Alcoholics Anonymous Speakers: 12:00 Opening Remarks 12:15 Janice Walker, Newborns in Need of Rescue 1:00 Saul Kane, Indiana Center for Recovery 1:45 Sharon Blair, The Jennifer Act 2:30 Karen Little, Karen Little Recovery 3:15 Jackie Daniels, Indiana Center for Recovery 4:00 Dr. Carrie Lawrence 4:45 Kim Brown, Alcoholics Anonymous 5:15 Open Mic for those in Recovery Special thank you to: Hoosier Uplands Bender Lumber United Way of South Central Indiana Holts Cafe Join us for a day of RECOVERY!! … [Read more...]
Indiana Legislature 2017
Sept. 21, 2017- My Recommendation Letter to the President’s Commission on Combating Drug Addiction & the Opioid Crisis
September 21, 2017 To the President's Commission on Combating Drug Addiction & the Opioid Crisis, Hello. My name is Sharon Blair. I am an 81/2 year Public Health Advocate for Substance Addiction, Treatment, Legislation, Drug Prevention & Education. I worked with Gov. Mike Pence's Opioid Task Force in Indiana in 2015. I advocate in two states, Indiana & Florida and also have given my testimony March 1, 2017 on Capitol Hill for support of CARA with Addiction Policy Forum- President Jessica Nickel. I am grateful to Florida Representative Chris Latvala, Florida Senator Jack Latvala and Senator Darryl Rouson for their efforts to draft and introduce The Jennifer Act in Florida. We did not pass the ORIGINAL draft, but in light of the increased opioid epidemic, CDC's statistics; (the CDC recently reported that more than 64,000 Americans died from a drug overdose last year, a 22% increase from 2015). It is time to increase access to treatment for the millions of Americans who need it. President Trump has declared the OPIOID CRISIS is a (National Emergency). My prayer is a new draft of "The Jennifer Act "will be drafted as a state law in Florida and also as a FEDERAL BILL by a U.S. Congressman. I am advocating for the President's Commission and a U.S. Congressman to sponsor and co-sponsor THE JENNIFER ACT as a … [Read more...]
In Arms Symposium- September 12, 2017 Indianapolis, Indiana
#InArms2017 Mental Health America of Indiana Symposium, Indianapolis, IN . - I joined five other Mothers as we educated on the Opioid Crisis and sharing our children's story for Recovery Month-2017 Jennifer Reynolds was my beautiful daughter who grew up in Pinellas County, Largo, Florida. She was a beautiful, kind and caring person. She loved her family (her only son, Trey) and was a friend to many. Jennifer was an honor roll student, attended Cross Bayou Elementary, Morgan Fitzgerald Middle School and Pinellas Park High School in Largo, FL. She enjoy many hobbies such as cheer leading, speed skating, softball, the honor society, aspiring in cosmetology and fashion design. She was a very adventurous and creative person. Jennifer made friends easily and there were no barriers to who she befriend. Jennifer's future was full of possibilities, however her life was interrupted by a substance use disorder. Jennifer had a medical condition (scoliosis) which required a very painful surgery (spinal fusion). She was prescribed morphine to manage her pain. This was her first encounter with prescription opiates. This was the beginning chapter of the downward spiral of her substance use disorder, which, after over a decade of relapses and suffering, ultimately claimed her life. Jennifer is sadly missed by her son, Trey, her parents, Sharon & Andy Blair, her siblings, Sarah, Josh & Nathan, 4 nieces & nephews, grandparents and friends. As a legacy to … [Read more...]
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