The Veterans Voice
Affected Families and Friends
A three-part podcast series co-presented by Sarah Werner and Tracey Ritter
- Use of some images, copy and music is with permission of the creators.
The Affected Families and Friends Podcast is a three-part series on substance use disorder presented by the University of Colorado’s Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention, Affected Families and Friends Work Group and produced in the Veterans Voice studio located on the campus of Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
In Part 1, affected family member and Army veteran, "Elizabeth", tells her story, and that of her daughter's, followed by asking the moderators a series of questions about how she can support her daughter who is in an active substance use situation.
In Part 2, "Michael", currently on active duty but near retirement and in recovery, shares his journey and what ultimately led him to reach a substance-free life.
In Part 3, Community Health Partnership's recovery resource specialist, PJ Higgins, describes the many resources available for substance users in Colorado Springs and well beyond.
ABOUT SARAH WERNER AND TRACEY RITTER
Meet your moderators for this series, Sarah Werner (L), and Tracey Ritter (R). They are the co-chairs for the Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention’s work group called, “Affected Families and Friends.”
The work group provides opportunities for friends and family to share hope, raise awareness and reduce the stigma associated with substance use disorder. Both have lost loved ones to substance use. For Tracey, her son Evan. For Sarah, her nephew Jonathan.
Both have chosen to turn their pain into purpose. Sarah is on the board of the SAFE Project, which is an organization that aims to support action that will prevent fatal drug overdoses. Tracey is a Family Support Specialist with Advocates for Recovery, and has even lobbied with our Attorney General’s office for change in our state.
The Affected Families and Friends podcast series was produced in the Veterans Voice studio located on the campus of Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center in Colorado Springs, CO, in cooperation with the Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention, Affected Families and Friends Work Group, and the the team of Ms. Sarah Werner, Ms. Tracey Ritter and Ms. Hilary Bryant.
