Event Details

7:00 a.m.-8:00 a.m.

Registration / Networking / Exhibitor time
Exhibits open at 7:30 a.m. and will open during every break and at lunch

8:00 a.m.-8:45 a.m.

Where Are We and What Do We Know?

Dr. Nora Volkow will provide new research and/or breakthroughs around this drug crisis and how drug addiction is a brain disorder. Listen to Dr. Volkow’s video message as she highlights the importance of the family who suffer along with their loved ones. and how we can work together to make a difference. (Main Stage)

9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.

Breakout Sessions (choose 1 to attend)

Breaking Chains: Transforming Addiction into an Opportunity for Growth
Ron Paterik and Dave Otto will team up to talk about what can happen to families that are devastated when they find out their loved one has gone down this path. Dave will share insights into the importance of the response from a practical financial perspective and Ron will share how families can see this as an opportunity and not a disaster. Ron will talk about how people can, and do not only survive, but they can grow and become better and stronger through this experience. The choice of “trying to just survive” or “survive and thrive” is real and can be your focus.  (Upper Chapel)

Shattering Misinformation: Unveiling Truths on Drug Use and Empowering Action
The Parent Action Network’s (PAN) goal is to share the voices of experience regarding marijuana risks and mobilize parents and other family members to share and warn about marijuana issues in our communities. Crissy Groenewegen will emphasize that fighting the misinformation that is so prevalent is critical and having organizations like PAN can help parents and families navigate this issue and know where to find accurate and reliable information and ways they can get involved to help.  (Lower Chapel)

Rising from the Ashes: Our Journey of Recovery and the Hope Within
Witness the triumph of hope by hearing from three individuals who not only conquered their personal battles but emerged as an inspiration to others through their recovery. These authentic voices will not only share their remarkable journeys but also offer invaluable insights from the frontlines of recovery. Let their experiences illuminate the path to redemption and reveal the profound importance of key factors in their remarkable turnaround. (Main Stage)

10:15 a.m.-11:00 a.m.

Save A Life Save a Family. Save A Family Save a Life Part 1
Dr. Kevin Leman will speak on the impact families have and their influence on their loved one suffering from substance use disorder (SUD). His insight into family dynamics and marriage will highlight the opportunity families have to work together when this issue impacts them. There is hope and together families can survive and thrive. (Main Stage)

11:10 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

We Started This – How Can We End This?
Dr. Holly Geyer author of Ending the Crisis, Mayo Clinic’s Guide to Opioid Addiction and Safe Opioid Use, will share on the latest standards of care, the need for a holistic approach to treatment and an overall approach to the drug crisis. She will share her insights on what is being done to turn the focus from what went wrong to what we can and should be doing. (Main Stage)

12:00 p.m.-12:45 p.m.

Lunch / Networking / Exhibitor time

12:45 p.m.-1:15 p.m.

Unveiling Hope for Families in This Crisis
As a medical physician at Claudia Black Center in Wickenburg, and a full-time advocate for expanding recovery opportunities nationwide, Dr. Don Middleton will share his experience and understanding connecting treatment and recovery.  This will be a physicians look into twelve step recovery – one of the most commonly used tools in addiction treatment. He’ll give knowledge and hope to one of the most terrifying challenges a family can face. (Main Stage)

1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.

Breakout Sessions (choose 1 to attend)

Sacred Haven: Churches as Beacons of Hope for Families Navigating Addiction
Churches can and should be a place for people to find hope and restoration. Many times, they are on the front line for those in crisis and feel overwhelmed and unsure how best to respond. They also may not be aware of the prevalence of this issue, not only within the people that attend, but those in their surrounding community. Pastor Dan Steffen and Brenda Cochran will share how churches can respond in positive and meaningful ways and be a non-judgmental place of hope and comfort for those suffering with this disorder. (Upper Chapel)

Navigating the Standards: Upholding Ethical Excellence in Recovery and Beyond
After working in the field of addiction and recovery, Martin LaRoche saw the need to help fight the problems that had crept in with substandard treatment and lack of oversight.  As a consultant in this area, he will share not only the need for ethical standards of care, but also the importance of building trust in treatment and recovery.  This will not only be helpful to those in the treatment world, going beyond accreditation, but for those seeking programs and what to look for. (Lower Chapel)

 Rising from the Ashes: Our Journey of Recovery and the Hope Within
Witness the triumph of hope by hearing from three individuals who not only conquered their personal battles but emerged as an inspiration to others through their recovery. These authentic voices will not only share their remarkable journeys but also offer invaluable insights from the frontlines of recovery. Let their experiences illuminate the path to redemption and reveal the profound importance of key factors in their remarkable turnaround. (Main Stage)

2:45 p.m.-3:45 p.m.

Save A Life Save a Family. Save A Family Save a Life Part 2
Dr. Kevin Leman will speak on the impact families have and their influence on their loved one suffering from substance use disorder (SUD). His insight into family dynamics and marriage will highlight the opportunity families have to work together when this issue impacts them. There is hope and together families can survive and thrive. (Main Stage)

3:45 p.m.-4:30 p.m.

Where do we go from here?
Dr. Holly Geyer and Kim Humphrey will speak about where we go from here and provide attendees with a call to action along with steps and support to get there. (Main Stage)

Crissy Groenewegen

Crissy Groenewegen, Director of the Parent Action Network, boasts a background in counseling, education, and prevention and has spent the last five years as a community prevention educator, coalition coordinator and nonprofit director. Her current role stems from deep respect for SAM’s advocacy and she shares their mission to empower families to share stories, educate lawmakers, and advocate for safe policies on legalized marijuana. A mother of three, Crissy resides in NY with her husband, two dogs, and two cats.

Dave Otto

Dave Otto is a retired lead attorney with the Internal Revenue Service and a certified public accountant. He has served on numerous not-for-profit boards giving his time and expertise on financial matters and nonprofit leadership. He currently serves on the Executive Committee for Parents of Addicted Loved Ones’ board of directors. He has a passion for helping people and brings many years of experience in assisting families navigate difficult situations.