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FEDUp!Coalitioncommitteemembers
Chair,FEDUP!CoalitiontoEndtheOpioidEpidemic
JudyRummler–FounderandPresident,SteveRummlerHopeFoundation
JudyisthemotherofSteveRummlerwhodiedonJuly1,2011ofanaccidentaldrugoverdose.Stevehad
sufferedwithchronicpainforfifteenyearsandhadbecomeaddictedtothemedicationsthatwereprescribed
tohimforhispain.ShortlyafterSteve’sdeath,JudyandherhusbandBillfoundedtheSteveRummlerHope
Foundationwhosemissionistoheightenawarenessofthedilemmaofchronicpainandthediseaseof
addictionandtoimprovetheassociatedcareprocess.JudyreceivedherB.A.degreefromtheUniversityof
Wisconsin,Madison,andhadacareerasaCertifiedFinancialPlanner.Shehasservedinmanynonprofit
capacitiesinbothMinnesotaandFlorida,includingasChairoftheMethodistHospitalFoundation(nowthe
ParkNicolletFoundation)andasChairoftheColonialChurchofEdinaFoundation.InherroleasPresidentof
theSteveRummlerHopeFoundation,Judyhasbeenwidelyrecognizedforhereffortstoincreaseawarenessof
theepidemicofopioidaddictionandoverdosedeaths.Sheispassionateaboutfindingwaystoimprovecare
forthemanywhoarecurrentlysufferingwithchronicpainandthediseaseofaddiction.Sheisanadvocatefor
neededchangesinlegislationandpolicyandasupporterofeducationonresponsibleopioidprescribing.
Chair,FEDUP!RallySteeringCommittee
AprilJ.Rovero-Founder/CEO,NationalCoalitionAgainstPrescriptionDrugAbuse(NCAPDA)
OnDecember18,2009Aprilandherfamilyreceivedwordthather21-yearoldsonandcollegestudent,Joey,
haddiedinhisoff-campusapartmentofwhatwaslaterdeterminedtobeanaccidentalprescriptiondrug
overdose.ThisdevastatinglossledtothefoundingofNCAPDAjustafewmonthsafterJoey's
death.NCAPDA'seffortsarefocusedonreducingprescriptiondrugaddictionandoverdosedeathsthrough
communityeducation,legislativeadvocacyandpolicychangeonalllevels.Aprilhasworkedtoeducate
thousandsofyouthandadultsinnumeroussettings.Shehastestifiedinstateandfederallegislativeandother
hearingsandworkedwithSAMHSAtodefinehowprescriptiondrugsarebeingabusedoncollege
campuses.Sheleadshercounty'sPrescriptionDrugAbusePreventionCoalition,isaco-leadofCalifornia’s
PrescriptionDrugAbuseWorkGroupandleadstheSanRamonValleyPrescriptionDrugAbuseTask
Force.Aprilandherfamilyhavebeenfeaturedinseveraldocumentariesandnumerousnewspaper,magazine,
radioandTVsegments,includingTheDoctorsprogramin2012.Aprilhasreceivedmultiplerecognitionawards
forhercommunityserviceefforts.Sheviewsoneofherorganization'sgreatestaccomplishmentsashaving
beeninstrumentalintheestablishmentofMarchasPrescriptionDrugAbuseAwarenessMonththroughout
California.Shebelievesthateveryoverdosedeathandaddictionisavoidablehasdedicatedherlifetohelping
otherfamiliesnotsufferthetragiclosshershas.
BarbaraAllen–ExecutiveDirector,JamesPlace,Inc
DanielBusch,M.D.-
KarenJ.Carlini,CASAC–DynamicYouthCommunity,Inc.
KarenCarliniisAssociateDirectorofDynamicYouthCommunity,Inc.,aNewYorkStatelicensedandfunded
adolescentdrugrehabilitationprogramdedicatedtothecomprehensivetreatmentofadolescentalcoholand
substanceabusers.DYCwasfoundedin1970andMs.Carlini,acredentialedalcoholandsubstanceabuse
counselor,hasbeenwiththeorganizationsince1974.Ms.CarliniisaboardmemberofTherapeutic
CommunitiesAssociationofNewYork(TCA),NYSAssociationofSubstanceAbuseProviders(ASAP),andThe
CoalitionforCommunityServices,anallianceofNewYorkcommunity-basedsubstanceabuseagencies.Sheis
theco-chairoftheNYSASAPAdolescent/YoungAdultCommittee.Ms.Carliniisco-authorofChapter10,
“DynamicYouthCommunity,Inc.:AMultiphase,Step-DownTherapeuticCommunityforAdolescentsand
YoungAdults”partofAdolescentSubstanceAbuseTreatmentInTheUnitedStates:ExemplaryModelsFromA
NationalStudy(HaworthPress,2003).
AmyCooper–
MichaelDeLeon–SteeredStraight,Inc.
DonFlattery–CitizenAdvocate,VirginiaTaskForceonPrescriptionDrugandHeroinAbuse
Donisanimpactedparent,havinglosthistwenty-sixyearoldandonlysontoanopioid-relatedoverdose.He
hasdedicatedhimselftopursuingneededpolicyandlegislativechangeswhichensureareturntomore
cautiousprescribing,savethelivesofthosealreadyafflictedbyaddictionandexpandaccesstoimproved
treatment,especiallywideracceptanceanduseofmedication-assistedtherapy.Hecontinuestospeakand
writeonthesetopicsandhasprovidedpolicysupporttoPROP,ShatterproofandVirginiaChangeAddiction
Now.
AdaGiudice-Thompson–VicePresident,AdvocatesfortheReformofPrescriptionOpioids,Inc.(ARPO)
AdaisaretiredHighSchoolteacherlivinginOntario,Canada.OnJune10,2004Ada’slifewaschanged
forever.Michael,heronlychild,diedsuddenlyandunexpectedlyfromhydromorphone,anarcoticprescribed
tohimbyhisdoctor.Adadidnotreturntoteachingbutbecameafull-timeadvocateforthereformof
prescriptionopioids.Heradvocacyincludes:VicePresident,AdvocatesfortheReformofPrescriptionOpioids
(ARPO),abi-nationalorganizationintheUnitedStatesandCanadaadvocatingforprescriptionopioidreform
toendtheepidemicbyensuringthatopioidsareusedwithcareandselectively,andonlywhenallother
options,aswellastheknownrisksofopioids,havebeenfullyconsidered,asindicatedandsupportedby
research,MemberoftheCanadianNationalAdvisoryCouncilonthestrategydevelopmentand
implementationof“FirstDoNoHarmRespondingtoCanada’sPrescriptionDrugCrisis”,MemberofthePatient
AdvisoryCommittee(PAC)actingasaresearchconsultantwiththePatient-CenteredOutcomesResearch
Institute(PCORI)–“EvaluationofaHealthPlanInitiativetoMitigateChronicOpioidTherapyRisks”,and
MemberoftheFEDUP!CoalitionandSteeringCommitteetoRallyforaFederalResponsetotheOpioid
Epidemic.
ScarletGleeson–ClientServicesConsultant,LakeviewHealth
ScarletGleesonhasbeenarecoveryadvocatefordecades.Shehasherownstoryofrecoveryfromdrugsand
alcohol,duringwhichtimeshehaswitnessedthousandsrecover,whilealsolosingmanyfriendsandfamily
memberstosubstanceusedisorders.Sheisanactivistandpassionatesupporterforrecoveryrights,anda
proudmemberoftheFEDUP!Coalition.Byoccupation,Scarletisamarketingprofessionalpresentingthree
decadesofexperience.ShecurrentlyworksintheaddictiontreatmentfieldasaClientServicesConsultantfor
LakeviewHealth.
Herprofessionalexperiencealsoincludes,DirectorofOperationsforLyndaCarter’sproduction
companyforeightyears.ShewasinstrumentalinbrandingMs.Carter’snewidentityasasinger;movingher
forwardandreinventingherimagefromtheinfamousWonderWomancharacter.Shealsoenjoyedtenyears
asaconsultantatTheKennedyCenterforthePerformingArts.Scarlet’scommunityserviceworkincludes
servingontheBoardofDirectorsforFatherMartin’sAshleyinHavredeGrace,MDfortwelveyears.
WhethersheisatworkatLakeviewHealthorinherprivatepractice,Scarlet’spurposeistoconnect
eachpersonwiththeirowninnateabilitytohealandflourish;emotionally,spiritually,mentally,physicallyand
more.Shecontinuesherworkbysharingherstoryandpassingonthemanyrecoverysolutionsshehas
embraced;onepersonatatime,onedayatatime.
PeterW.Jackson–President,AdvocatesfortheReformofPrescriptionOpioids,Inc.(ARPO)
OnAugust18,2006Mr.Jacksonsufferedanunspeakabletragedywhenhelosthissweet,18year-olddaughter
EmilytooneOxyContinpillinanaccidentaloverdose.Shewasthreedaysfromherfirstdayincollege,herlife
aheadofher.Mr.Jacksonsubsequentlylearnedthatmanyotheryoungpeople(andmanynot-so-young
people,includingpainpatientswhowereprescribedopioidsbytheirdoctor)havediedorbecomeaddictedto
thesedrugs.Mr.JacksonbegantoattendFDAmeetingstoadvocateforsaferprescribingindicationsfor
opioids,andhisadvocacyworkledtoco-foundingARPO,a501©(3)non-profitcorporationin2011.ARPO’s
missionistoendtheepidemicofdeathandaddictioncausedbyprescriptionopioiddrugsbyensuringthat
opioidsareregulated,marketed,prescribedandusedinanevidence-basedmanner.ARPOisbi-national,
advocatinginsupportofitsmissionintheU.S.andCanada.Mr.Jacksonisabiologistbytradeandholds
BachelorsandMastersDegreesinbiology.
MaureenKielian-STOPPnow
AndrewJ.Kolodny,M.D.–President,PhysiciansforResponsibleOpioidPrescribing(PROP)
Dr.AndrewKolodnyistheChiefMedicalOfficerofPhoenixHouse,anonprofitaddictiontreatment
organizationandheisPresidentofPhysiciansforResponsibleOpioidPrescribing(PROP).DrKolodnywas
previouslytheChairofPsychiatryatMaimonidesMedicalCenterinNewYorkCity.
Dr.KolodnyhasalongstandinginterestinPublicHealth.PriortohispositionatMaimonides,hewas
theMedicalDirectorforSpecialProjectsintheOfficeoftheExecutiveDeputyCommissionerfortheNewYork
CityDepartmentofHealthandMentalHygiene.ForNewYorkCity,hehelpeddevelopandimplementmultiple
programstoimprovethehealthofNewYorkersandsavelives,includingcity-widebuprenorphineprograms,
naloxoneoverdosepreventionprogramsandemergencyroom-basedscreening,briefinterventionandreferral
totreatment(SBIRT)programsfordrugandalcoholmisuse.
CindyKoumoutzis–Co-Founder,ChangeAddictionNow(C.A.N.)
SandraKresser–Treasurer,AdvocatesfortheReformofPrescriptionOpioids(ARPO)
In2004Sandra'ssonJosh,then22yearsold,injuredhisbackatworkresultingintwoherniateddiscs.His
doctorfirstprescribedMethadonetohimforthepainandtwoweekslaterswitchedhimtoOxyContin.Four
daysafterreceivingtheprescriptionforOxyContinheoverdosedforthefirsttime.Fromthatpointforwardhe
plungedheadfirstintoanaddictionsopowerfulthatnomatterhowhardhetriedhecouldn’tbreakfree.Over
thenext2.5yearshespentover404daysintreatmenttryingtoovercomehisaddiction.Heoverdosedfive
differenttimesandforabrieftimeswitchedtoheroin.Aftercompletinghisthirdandfinalinpatienttreatment,
wherehespentsixmonths,hewenttoseeaneurologisttoseeifhewasacandidatefordiscreplacement
surgerybecausehisbackwasstillbotheringhim.Joshsharedwiththisdoctorhiscompletehistoryofopiate
addiction,heroinuse,multipleoverdoses,rehabsandrelapsesandthefactthathewastakingAtivan,which
wasbeingcloselymonitored.ThisneurologistignoredallofthisandprescribedVicodinandSomatoJosh.Two
dayslateronSeptember30,2006JoshpassedawayfromalethalcombinationofVicodin,SomaandAtivan,all
takenasdirectedandattherapeuticlevels.
FromthatpointforwardSandravowedtodowhatevershecouldtospareanothermotherfrom
sufferingthedevastatinglossofapreciouschildduetotheinappropriateoverprescribingofpowerful
narcotics.Sheisveryinvolvedonalocalandnationallevelfightingtheprescriptiondrugepidemic.Shortly
afterJosh'sdeathSandraandherhusbandLaynestartedanendowmentfundinhisnameattheUniversityof
UtahNeuropsychiatricInstitutetohelppayforoutpatienttreatmentforyoungpeopleages18-25suffering
fromaddictiontoopiates.
TeriKroll-Coordinator,PUSH/LICADD
TeriKroll’sinterestinLICADDandnowPUSHstemsfromherdesiretoensurethatfamiliesinthethroesof
heroinaddictionandrecoveryhaveaplacetoturnforhelp.InAugustof2009,Teri’s23year-oldson,Timlost
hiscourageousbattlewithheroinaddictioninherarms.TheKroll’shadenduredatumultuousthreeyear
journeytobringTimtoasoberplace.Ashenearedapointofsteadyrecovery,gainfulemployment,active
maintenanceofhissobriety,andworkinghardtorebuildthefamilytiesthathadbeenstretchedthin,Tim
expressedadesiretomakesureotheryoungpeoplecouldavoidthechaoticandterrifyingordealhehad
experienced.ArmedwithdetailsfromTimandTeri,anundercoverpolicetaskforcewasinitiatedtoarrestand
convictaMassapequamanwhowassellingdrugsfromhismedicaloffice.WhileTimdidnotsurvivetoseethe
outcomeofhisbraveandunselfishact,thatdrugdealerwascaught,arrested,triedandconvicted.Teriandher
husbandFrankfollowedeverydetailofthecaseandworkedcloselywiththeDistrictAttorneytocementthe
conviction.Manypresentinthecourtroomwerebroughttotearsastheprosecutorsharedvictimimpact
statementswrittenbyTeriandFrank.Unabletoheedadvicefromfamilyandfriendstobesatisfiedbythe
convictionandgetbackto‘normallife’,Tim’slegacyhasinspiredTeritosharenotonlyhisstorybutherown.
WithTeriasPublicAdvocate,PUSHwillbecomeahouseholdwordinLongIslandandthehiddenstoryofthe
localanddeadlyheroinepidemicwillbeunearthedandattendedto.TeriandFrankhavebeenmarriedfor37
yearsandliveinLindenhurstneartheirdaughter,son-in-lawandbeautifulgrandsonsBrendanandBrody.
DianaLunas,Founder,LoveEverAfter
Dianaisthemotheroffourchildren,whobecameabereavedparentin2008,whenhereldestchild,Josh,died
fromanoverdosefollowingmonthsofresidentialtreatmentandsobriety.Herexperiencewiththediseaseof
substanceusedisorder(SUD)didnotendthere.Afterstrugglingwithdepression,withdrawalandanxiety
followingthelossofhisbrotherandbestfriend,theyoungest,Logan,self-medicatedthroughhisemotional
painandbecameaddictedtoprescriptionpainmedications.Healsosuccumbedtoanoverdosepassingin
2014atage22followingmonthsofsobrietyandresidentialtreatment.Dianaisdevotedtocreating
opportunitiesforhealingheartsthroughserviceasdemonstratedbyheradvocacyeffortsandnonprofit,Love
EverAfter:LosingAChildtoSUD.ThediseaseofSubstanceUseDisorderhastakenhalfofherfamily.Her
dedicationtoeducationandhealingheartsthroughservicefollowingsubstancelossisnowherpassion.Diana
believesstronglythatitisnecessarytoputourchildren’sfacesonthesubjectofSUDtochangetheway
societyviewsaddiction.SheislendingJoshandLogan’svoicesinanefforttoeliminateshame,secrecyand
stigmainordertoencouragecommunitiestoseeSUDwithadifferentsetofeyes.Sheisretiredfroma30year
careerasaparalegaland10yearsasavolunteerproduceroflocalhighschoolmusicals.Dianacontinuesa
lifetimeofcommunityleadership,asthefoundingmemberandchapterleaderfortheonlyTheCompassionate
Friendsorganizationinherarea.Inaddition,shenowservestheorganizationatitsNationalConferencelevel
asapanelandworkshoppresenter.Hereffortsarefocusedoncontinuingeducatingforyouthandparentson
thesubjectofsubstanceuse/abuse,aswellasworkingtoputanendtotheshameandstigmaassociatedwith
SUD.
JanisMcGrory-Founder,LowerCapeCommunityAnti-drugNetwork
In2011,Janislostherbeautiful23yearolddaughter,ElizabethLeFort,toanaccidentalheroinoverdose.After
experimentingwithprescriptionopioiddrugswhileinhighschool,Lizquicklybecameaddictedwhichledto
herheroinuseandherultimatedeath.Eightweekslater,Janandherdaughter,AmyLeFort,wereaskedto
speakatalegislativebreakfastinsupportofIndependenceRecoveryHighSchoolinBrockton,Ma.which
begantheiractivistworkindrugeducationandawareness.JanisisafacilitatorforLearntoCope,aparent
supportgroupandsheisonthesteeringcommitteeofFEDUP.Mostrecentlyshewasawardedthe2014
DistinguishedAlumniHumanitarianAwardfromMassachusettsCollegeofLiberalArtforherwork.Inaddition,
shereceived2015HarwichCitizenoftheYearAwardforheradvocacyworkindrugabuseandaddiction.She
hasbeenaskedtospeakinmanyvenues,includingschools,cableandradioshows.InJanuary2015,Janis
participatedinadrugaddictionreenactmentdocumentarymovieproducedbytheWahlbergbrothers,called
“IfOnly”.AlsoaspartofMassachusettsdeclaredpublichealthcrisisinopioidoverdosesanddeaths,Governor
BakeraskedJanandAmytoshareLiz’sstoryonWCVB-TVPublicServeAnnouncementsrecentlyaswellasjoin
himathispressconference,announcinghisinitiativestostopthisepidemic.
JanishasaBachelor’sdegreeinPhysicsandaMastersinEducation.Sheiscurrentlyahighschoolmathteacher
inHarwich,Maafterspending20yearsasanengineerintheprivatesector.
MicheleMcTiernan-Gleason,AADP-AdvisoryCommittee,PublicRelationsforConnectthePieces(CTP)
ConnectthePieceswasfoundedbyExecutiveDirectorMelanieCurtis,aftertragicallylosingherbelovedson
MichaelCampbelltoanaccidentalprescriptionoverdoseonNovember10,2011.Mikewasprescribedand
thenbecameaddictedto,painmedicationafterbreakingbothwristsplayingsports.In2012theCTPcampaign
waslaunchedtoraiseawarenessastothemisuseandabuseofprescriptionmedications.Rutterjoinedforces
withCurtisandCTPin2012,aftera10yearstrugglewithherownsonSamuel,whowasprescribedOxyContin
aftersustainingsevereinjuriesinanautomobileaccident.Hebecameaddictedalmostimmediatelyandthus
beganhisdecline.Samueliscurrentlyinrecovery.RutterreceivedherB.S.MagnaCumLaudeinSpeech
CommunicationsandPublicRelationsfromMillersvilleUniversityinPennsylvania.Shehasservedinmany
nonprofitcapacitiesinMaryland,PennsylvaniaandIdaho;includingCaronHospitalattheCaronFoundation.
Caronisanon-profitleadingproviderofdrugandalcoholaddictiontreatment.Currently,Rutterservesas
CommunicationsCouncilManagerfortheJuniorLeague.CertifiedbytheAmericanAssociationofDrugless
PractitionerssheattendedtheInstituteofIntegrativeNutritionatSUNYandisthefounderofBioDistinct
Wellness,LLC.Rutteriscommittedtoabsolvingtheprescriptiondrugepidemicandhelpingthoseinrecovery
leadhappierandhealthierlives.
JoannePeterson-FounderandExecutiveDirectorofLearntoCope
LearntoCopewasstartedin2004.Joanneisalsoaparentofasoninlongtermrecoveryfromopiate
addictionwhichbeganwithOxyContin.LearntoCope,anonprofitorganizationisauniquesolutions-based
support,advocacyandeducationalpeerledorganizationforfamilymembersofthoseaddictedtoopiatesand
otherdrugs.LearntoCopehasawebsitewhichprovidesasupportforumwithover4000registeredfamilies
locallyandnationallyaswellasninechaptersinMassachusettswith3moreopeninginCapeCod,Springfield
andNewBedfordinthefallof2013.LTCprovidespeersupportandeducationwiththefocusoncopingwith
thedanger,stressandemotionsrelatedtothissituation.
LTCprovidesinformationalresourcesregardingthediseaseofaddictionandrealisticstrategiesfor
treatmentandrecoverybasedonthereal-worldexperiencesofmembers.LTCprovidestrainingonOverdose
preventionandhowtosavethelivesoffamilymembersiftheyshouldseethesymptoms.LTCisthefirst
parentnetworktoprovidetheoverdosereversalantidoteNarcan(NasalNaloxone)ateachchapter.Todate13
membershavesavedalifesinceDecember2011.LTChasbeensuccessfulingettingmanyyoungpeoplethe
treatmenttheyneedandoffthestreetsandalsohelpsfamiliestocopeandrecover.LearntoCopehasbeen
recognizedNationallybyTimeMagazine,theNewYorkTimes,Renewmagazine,A&E’SIntervention,NPR
Radio,CapeCodTimes,BrocktonEnterprisesWastedYouth”series,GeraldoatLarge,FoxNews,BostonGlobe,
BostonHerald,WCVBTVSChronicleandmostrecentlyparticipatedinafollowupdocumentaryfortheEmmy
winningCurrentTV’SOxyContinExpresswhichairedinMay2011.Joannehastestifiednumeroustimesatthe
StateHouseinBostonaswellasinCongressinWashingtonDC.LTChasreceivedawardsforitsadvocacy
regardingthedangersofPrescriptiondrugsinmanycommunitiesinMassachusetts.
LexiReedHoltum–ExecutiveDirector,SteveRummlerHopeFoundation
LexiReedHoltumisExecutiveDirectoroftheSteveRummlerHopeFoundationandhasbeendedicatedtothe
workoftheFoundationsinceitsinception.Herresponsibilitiesinclude:overseeingtheFoundation’sprograms,
coordinatingspecialevents,buildingrelationshipsandcreatingcollaborativeeffortswithotherorganizations,
managingandtrainingvolunteersandinterns,andpublicspeakingonbehalfoftheFoundation.Lexiisalsoa
mastermassagetherapistandeducatorhavingworkedinthefieldforovertwentyyears.Shehasanextensive
backgroundineducationwhichincludeswritingcurriculum,andteachinganatomy,physiology,pathology,
professionaldevelopment,andvarioushandsonmassageandspatechniques.Lexihasalsohadtheprivilege
ofworkinginanintegrativemedicineclinic,TheMindBodySpiritClinic,withinFairviewRiversideHospital,
whereshewasabletocontributetoapowerfulmedicalmodelofcare.Lexibelievesfirmlyinthebenefitsofan
integrativemedicalapproachinthetreatmentofchronicpainandaddiction.Lexiisgratefultobelivinginlong
termrecovery.SheisthemotherofonechildandwasSteveRummler’sfiancée.
EmilyWalden–STOPPNOWKentucky
EmilyisthemotherofTJWaldenwholosthislifetoanoverdosein2012.TJwasamemberoftheKentucky
NationalGuardandthemostrespectfulyoungmanyoucouldhaveevermet.Hestruggledwithaddictionafter
experimentingwithOxycontinandthenmovingtothedrugOpana.By2011therewere33deathsfromOpana
intheCityofLouisville.EmilymetwiththeLouisvilleMedicalSocietyinNovember2011onlytofindoutthey
hadnotheardofdrugOpana.ShestartedresearchingandmeetingwithGovernmentOfficialsintheStateof
KYandinthelastthreeyearshasworkedtomeetwithOfficialsonaFederallevel,includingtheSenate
MajorityLeadertopushforchangeandpreventfuturedeaths.