MOMSTELL

Parents and Families Working Together For

Improved Drug Treatment

Education, Legislation, Policy and Prevention

We must work together to protect our children from the devastation that drugs and alcohol bring to families. As  parents and family members  unite  into 'one voice" positive change in substance abuse treatment, education, policy,

legislation, prevention

ABOUT MOMSTELL

MOMSTELL was founded after the tragic death of my daughter Angela to a heroin overdose. As a result of my journey and less than two years after her death in February 1998, I met with a small group of moms one Saturday afternoon to discuss the idea of working together to create this organization. Like myself, they had all been devastated by the disease of addiction and wanted to work together for positive change regarding substance abuse treatment issues. 2008 marks marks the eighth year of MOMSTELL and we are continuing to expand our outreach to parents and families.

As a parent who has lost a child to drug addiction, I understand the the barriers faced when trying to locate treatment for a loved one. I know what it is like to feel alone, desperate and with no where to turn for help. This website was created to join concerned parents and family members to work together for positive change regarding substance abuse issues and to be a resource to provide links to treatment, drug education, current legislation, policy issues and prevention information.

MOMSTELL envisions a time when substance abuse family involvement is embedded into the  treatment plans of individuals, communities, counties, states and federal plans. We want to see the stigma surrounding the disease of addiction drastically reduced and ultimately eliminated..

Message from Sharon Smith:

My heart and passion for the work of MOMSTELL is to see families helped, lives changed and the hope of recovery become a reality. This work is a tribute not only to my daughter but to the sons and daughters of us all who were, are or will be touched by the disease of addiction."

Our children are our most precious resource. Parents who share their stories, and speak out are crucial in order to effect positive change in the substance abuse treatment system.  Parents need to know they are not alone. Parents need to know there are other parents who are standing up and raising their voices for change. Families need to know where to go to locate appropriate treatment for their drug or alcohol addicted child.  We  at MOMSTELL also want to offer support to those families devastated by the disease of addiction. We want to offer encouragement to those parents who want to become involved in advocating for their child before another life is lost."

Our hope is that you will obtain the tools you need to feel confident enough to get involved in grassroots advocacy.  Drug and alcohol policy issues need our immediate attention.  We need a voice at the "policy tables" and in decision-making regarding our children's treatment.

In order to make a difference, you just have to  pick up a pen to write a letter, make a phone call to your local policy makers or call or write to your local Representative or Senator.  Educating your policy makers and legislators about what is happening in their local districts is critical.  We can make an impact on  treatment, education,  policy-making and prevention by just getting involved at whatever level we can!

Current legislation for vote in the House and Senate at the Federal level and here in Pennsylvania will be updated regularly on this site.

We have created several hyperlinks to give you more access to information, including other parent organizations, because no family should face the disease of addiction alone.

Angela's Story