Series: Share Your Story

In this series, we expose the reality of addiction through candid conversations with others who lived through - and still live with - the impact of drugs, alcohol, and addiction. Through their honest and open testimonials, the storytellers take us on a journey through the intense and conflicting emotions and thought-processes surrounding their experience with addiction. We share these very REAL lived experiences not only to show the lasting impact of alcohol and drug addiction, but also to diminish the stereotypes and stigma associated with addiction. If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, there is HOPE and HELP for recovery. To seek help, support, or get more information about addiction and recovery check out the resources section on our webpage.

The Overdoses and Suicides in Lycoming County

Carolyn Miele of Saving Lives for Zachary hosts Shea Madden, the Director of West Branch Drug and Alcohol Abuse Commission and Charles Kiessling, the Lycoming County Coroner to discuss the devastating impact of COVID-19 on drug abuse and suicide in Lycoming County.

Questions for the District Attorney and Mayor

In this recorded Facebook LIVE discussion, Carolyn Miele of Saving Lives for Zachary chats with Eric Linhardt, Lycoming County District Attorney, Chris Ebner, Deputy Warden of Lycoming County Prison Board, Shea Madden, the Director of West Branch Drug and Alcohol Abuse Commission, and Charles Kiessling, the Lycoming County Coroner. Topics covered include the opioid epidemic in Lycoming County and the efforts implemented to assist members of the justice-involved community suffering from addiction and help ensure the success of their re-entry, the need for community awareness and education about mental health challenges and drug addiction, access to drug recovery and rehabilitation treatment services for individuals without medical insurance coverage, risk factors for opioid addiction, the addiction-to-crime pipeline, and the need for more funding in the community to provide better access to effective addiction treatment options.

July 2017 Heroin Discussion Forum

A live recording of the Heroin Discussion Forum held on July 26, 2017 in Willliamsport, PA, Carolyn Miele and other panelists, including members of the board and volunteers for Saving Lives for Zachary, discuss the opioid epidemic in an effort to raise awareness and combat the crisis.

PTSD & Substance Abuse

In this recording of a live forum held honoring PTSD Awareness Month, Carolyn Miele and a panel of mental health and substance abuse experts, behavioral counselors, and recovered and recovering addicts discuss the link between PTSD and substance abuse.

Women and Addiction

In this recording of a live forum held in 2018 at the Trade and Transit Center in downtown Williamsport, Carolyn Miele and a panel of health and addiction treatment experts discuss the rising trend of women struggling with addiction and its lasting impact on their lives, the lives of their children and their families, and the overall impact to their communities. The discussion emphasizes that the disease of addiction does not discriminate: It can afflict any of us, regardless of gender, race or ethnicity, socioeconomic group, education level, employment status or career, or whether we live in rural, suburban, or urban communities.

National Recovery Month Panel

In this recording of a live forum held in 2018 at the Trade and Transit Center in downtown Williamsport, Carolyn Miele and a panel of healthcare and addiction treatment experts, including several board-certified physicians, discuss the path to addiction and how the brain and body develop opioid dependency. Treatment and recovery programs are also discussed, as well as community resources. The goal of the panel discussion is to decrease the stigma of addiction, to raise community awareness, and call the community to take action to combat the growing national health crisis of opioid addiction.

Discussion Forum

With DR Beth McMahon, Danielle Hardy, and Pascha Ferry

In this recording of a live forum at the Trade and Transit Center in downtown Williamsport, Carolyn Miele and a panel from the Youth Development Drug Task Force discuss promoting the prevention of drug and alcohol use by youth and the implications of recent data gathered from the Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS). Topics covered also include a discussion of behaviors that can be risk-factors for, predictors of or indicators of youth drug use, as well as current statistics about in youth alcohol and drug use, strategies to share the message with youth about the dangers of drug use and abuse, and interventions for schools, families, and communities.

Cyber Sensible

With Denise DeRosa

In this recording of a live forum at the Trade and Transit Center in downtown Williamsport, Denise DeRosa discusses Cyber Safety and shares information for parents, youth, and others about strategies to ensure the safety of young people while they're participating in online activities like gaming and using social media. Topics discussed include oversharing of personal information, cyber bullying, sexting, sexual harassment and sexual predators, and setting healthy limits on social media use and screen time.

Drug Recognition & Awareness

In this recording of a live forum at the Trade and Transit Center in downtown Williamsport, Carolyn Miele of Saving Lives for Zachary hosts a discussion with panelists including a paramedic, a first responder, a Drug Recognition Expert, a retired District Attorney, and a County Coroner. The discussion highlights the challenges associated with navigating shame and stigma while seeking help for addiction, the impact of overdose and withdrawal, and how legislation and government funding affects the battle against drugs and drug addiction. Also discussed is how overdose impacts the body and brain and how Narcan can help save someone suffering from an overdose so they can receive medical treatment.