In today's deeply moving conversation, Stephanie sits down with Ed Ternan, president and co-founder of Song for Charlie, for an honest and real talk about fake pills and loss. Ed shares the heartbreaking story of losing his 22-year-old son, Charlie, in May 2020. Charlie was a brilliant economics student and athlete with perfect high school scores, who died after taking a single counterfeit pill purchased online, believing it to be a legitimate medication, secretly laced with a lethal dose of fentanyl. This is a moving pain-to-purpose story on the complexity of grief and loss. Witnessing incredible humans like Ed and his wife, Mary, turn personal loss and grief into a nationwide movement is truly inspiring. Recognising a terrifying trend of youth dying from fake prescription pills, they founded a family-led, nonprofit, Song for Charlie, to shine a light and bring about change through humble goals. Today, the organisation has reached millions across the U.S. and has driven an 83% reduction in student pill misuse through their transparent, fact-based \"Just Say Know\" approach. They empower students to learn and share knowledge by providing award-winning, evidence-based educational programs and promoting peer-to-peer learning resources. Tune in to this masterclass to learn how to navigate today's high-risk drug landscape with honesty, empathy, and practical tools, and discover how unimaginable grief can transform into a nationwide movement for education and systemic change. Peer-to-peer fentanyl education starts with you! Connection and communication around substance abuse, misuse, and addiction are very important. We need to destigmatise the conversation.
0:00 – Introduction: The Mission of Song for Charlie 2:15 – Remembering Charlie & Understanding the Fentanyl Crisis 6:40 – The \"Just Say Know\" Digital Education Strategy 12:30 – Equipping Youth with Healthy Coping Mechanisms 18:10 – Modern Drug Education for Families and Parents 24:05 – Navigating Grief and Finding Purpose Through Action 31:15 – Fostering Personal Agency and a Healthier Future
Learn more about Song for Charlie and Spread the Word: https://www.songforcharlie.org/
#RealTalkAboutFake PillsAndLoss #SongForCharlie #EdTernan #FentanylAwareness #FakePills #CounterfeitPills #YouthSubstancePrevention #ParentGuide #AdolescentMental Health #CopingSkills #GriefJourney #DrugEducation #YouthAdvocacy #WECAN _______________________________________________________________________
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