News Archive

The National Red Ribbon Campaign, which is the nation’s largest drug prevention effort, began after drug traffickers in Mexico tortured and brutally murdered Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena in March 1985. Sharon Smith attended the ceremonies marking the 20th Anniversary

Nationally, approximately 80 million people participate in Red Ribbon events from October 23-31.

Rep DiGirolamo and Families Seek More Funding for Drug and Alcohol Treatment

Families sharing stories of the loss of a loved one to addiction and the lack of funding for treatment were the focus of today’s press conference at the Capitol hosted by Rep. Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks).

"I commend the efforts of the families who are here today," said DiGirolamo. "They are acutely aware that there is inadequate funding available for drug and alcohol treatment."

DiGirolamo has long been a staunch advocate for drug and alcohol treatment programs. DiGirolamo, Deb Beck, President of the Drug and Alcohol Service Providers, Sharon Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer of MOMSTELL and families from 12 counties in Pennsylvania gathered together to make their message be heard. Additional funding is critical to prevent more deaths from drug and alcohol addiction.

"Not a week goes by without families calling my district office seeking help in getting a loved one into treatment," said DiGirolamo. "It is imperative that Pennsylvania make drug and alcohol treatment a priority. The majority of individuals who successfully complete treatment programs are able to re-enter the community as productive citizens."

Drug and alcohol abuse contributes to more than 70 percent of crimes committed in Pennsylvania. There are an estimated 600,000 people in the state in need of treatment right now.

"A powerful, negative stigma, based on misunderstanding, keeps people with addiction from receiving the treatment they need," said Smith. "My daughter was addicted to heroin and it is extremely difficult to kick. Without long-term treatment by trained counselors, recovery is almost impossible.

"Insurance companies do not cover long-term care for addiction, and the state is considering slashing its budget for drug and alcohol treatment. Where are families to turn?" Smith added.

"We cannot say it too often; funding is desperately needed for those Pennsylvanians seeking treatment for their addiction," said Beck. "These families that are here today represent only a handful of families across the state that have had their lives changes drastically due to addiction."

"We are so thankful to have Rep. DiGirolamo’s support and dedication," Beck added.

DiGirolamo sponsored a successful amendment to the state budget that would provide an additional $8 million in state funding for drug and alcohol treatment programs.

Rep. Gene DiGirolamo
18th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Among our attendees were two mothers, Sharon Smith and Debbie Fowler, who both have lost their children to drug use. They realize that we are not powerless against the drug abuse problem in our county and we can and must continue to fight to protect our youth.

"Debbie and I met through the tragic loss of our children yes, but we have been united in our fight against drug abuse. We know how important it is to put a face to addiction. This is a disease that is ravaging our most precious resource, our children. Debbie and I have dedicated our lives to this cause. There are parents across our state and our nation who are struggling to find help for their child’s addiction. The suffering these families go through is unbearable. Debbie and I know this all to well. We know that drug prevention and education are vital to protecting our children and early intervention will keep families from loosing their children to this horrendous disease."

Sharon Smith joined more than 3,000 substance abuse prevention and treatment specialists from throughout the country Washington, D.C. for CADCA’s National Leadership Forum XV on January 10-13, 2005 at the Washington Convention Center. CADCA’s National Leadership Forum is the nation’s largest training conference for community coalition activists and substance abuse professionals, featuring more than 80 workshops on the latest research in the substance abuse prevention and treatment fields.

Capitol Day was a big success. Orange CADCA buttons filled the capitol as conference attendees visited their Congressman and Senators. Sharon met with staff members of Senator's Arlen Specter and Rick Santorum. MOMSTELL will be used by both senate offices as a resource for parents who need drug and alcohol information. Sharon also met with staff of Congressman Todd Platts' staff. Congressman Platts personally offered his thanks for the work done by MOMSTELL for the families of Pennsylvania whose children suffer from addiction.

Left-Sharon Smith with Charles Curie, Administrator of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Center-Sharon Smith and Ginger Katz, President of Courage to Speak Foundation are joined by General Arthur Dean, Chairman and CEO of CADCA

Right- Sharon Smith with Director of White House Office of National Control Policy (ONDCP), widely known as the U.S. Drug Czar

Heroin Education And Dangerous Substance Understanding Program is an excellent program presented by the Philadelphia Police Narcotics Division.

Members of the recovery community share their devastating drug-related stories and offer messages of hope and sobriety. Since the program's kickoff in April of 2001, over 200 thousand people participated, including schools, churches, community groups, businesses, and even legislators at the Capitol.

--Kathy Berry, a member of MOMSTELL, shares her story about her 17-year-old daughter Karen, who died from a heroin overdose.

--Judy Zuggi, member of MOMSTELL, speaks about her son, Franky, who was found dead from a heroin overdose in a vacant lot.

--Corine Toms speaks out about the violent results of drug use and how she lost her 16-year-old son, Duan, when he was shot in the heart by someone under the influence of drugs.

Deb Delp, a member of MOMSTELL and founder of "Don't Be An Ostrich," a parent education program, gives a personal and professional approach to helping parents who are involved in drug intervention. She also gives tips on how to meet their needs and understand the roller-coaster of emotions and struggles they endure when dealing with a child in addicted to drugs.

Parents can be considered the "Para-patients" in many situations and it is necessary to realize that they are fighting the managed care community and the legal system to get their children help.
To request Deb Delp's "Don't be an Ostrich" program to your community, Click Here.

Bush Touts Anti-Drug Proposals

By Jennifer Loven, AP

February 28--President Bush, preparing to unveil an anti-drug strategy, on Saturday championed his budget proposals to increase drug testing in schools, help more communities run prevention programs and pay for treatment through religious groups for more low-income addicts.

The administration is due to release its National Drug Control Strategy report Monday.

Bush, previewing it in his weekly radio address, offered no sign that the report would contain any new initiatives or involve a wholesale revamping.

Instead, he trumpeted gains in the anti-drug war that were outlined in a government survey of drug use among American teenagers released in December and described anti-drug proposals contained in the spending request he sent to Congress in February.

Those proposals include increasing funding to $23 million from the current $2 million for schools that want to use drug testing to expand early intervention programs, adding $10 million for local coalitions working on prevention efforts, and doubling to $200 million the funding for the government's "Access to Recovery" program that helps addicts afford professional care. The drug-testing plan has drawn sharp criticism from some parents, school administrators and civil liberties activists.

Last year, the program funded testing in eight school districts, and Bush said drug testing has worked to cause declines in drug use.

"Random drug testing gives students a strong answer to the social pressure to try drugs," he said. "It helps schools identify those using drugs so they can intervene with counseling and treatment before experiments turn into addictions."

Bush also argued on behalf of the addict assistance program, funded at $100 million for the current year, which he said would involve a large role for religious charities.

"Because I know a good way to change a person's behavior is to change their heart, faith-based treatment programs will always be an option," he said.

The president also pledged continued vigilance by military and law enforcement personnel working on drug interdiction at the borders.

He cited an annual Department of Health and Human Services survey of eighth-, 10th- and 12th-graders, released last year, to show the progress made under his watch.

That survey found less use of many kinds of illicit drugs among high school students, especially for Ecstasy and LSD. Overall, the survey showed an 11 percent drop in illegal drug use in the previous two years, slightly surpassing Bush's goal of a 10 percent reduction.

"We have pursued an ambitious, focused strategy to cut demand for drugs at home, interdict supplies of drugs abroad, and treat more addicts who seek help," Bush said. "Our hard work is paying off. This year, we will expand our strategy so that we can make even greater progress in the fight against drugs."

On March 19, 2002 the Supreme Court heard the case Board of Education of Independent School Dist. No 92 of Pottawatomie County v. Earls, ET AL. The question presented is whether a public school must have a drug problem among its students to create a "special need" to conduct random drug and alcohol testing on the students to deter the students from drug and alcohol use.

On March 28, 2001 the Supreme Court of the Unites States heard the oral arguments for the United States of America vs. the Oakland Cannabis Buyers' Cooperative. A Press Conference followed the oral arguments of the case. We spoke to many of the protesters who want Marijuana legalized. Some were polite and others were rude to us. Many of them tried to convince us that marijuana is good for you and increases your brain power. We saw evidence of just the opposite. To our complete shock there were people in the crowd who had no regard for the law, and smoked their marijuana joints right on the steps of the Supreme Court! As parents we exercised our constitutional freedom to protest the legalization of this drug. In order to make a difference in this "Drug War" we "All" need to become involved!

On July 27, 2002, the Supreme Court announced its decision regarding The board of Education of Independent School Districts vs. Earls. The decision favors student drug testing for all extra curricular activities.