Podcast Highlight
Restoring Dignity To Those Suffering From Addiction:
Episode 37 of Hub Of The Highways
We officially launched our Addiction Awareness Series with Marianne Sinisi, founder and President of Families United for Change, an organization fighting to change how we approach the issue of Substance Use Disorder (SUD).
After losing her son Shawn to SUD, Marianne began challenging the system that failed her family and began fighting to restore dignity to those struggling with addiction.
In our interview, she opens up about her son’s journey, the failures of our current punishment-based system, and how her non-profit is making a difference through community clothing drives, Narcan distribution, advocacy, and unconditional compassion.
Parents Who Lost Kids to Overdose and Addiction Want Health Solutions, Not Punishment
These parents lost children to overdose or have kids living with addiction. Their message is clear: care saves lives, not wars. The Drug Policy Alliance is building a world without the drug war where people who use drugs are supported, not punished. We’re building a world where drug policy is grounded in evidence, health, equity, and human rights. Join us: https://drugpolicy.org/.
Her son died from a drug overdose, now she explains the struggle that those with addiction face
Marianne Sinisi’s son, Shawn Sinisi, died from a drug overdose in 2018. Marianne believes that her son developed an addiction to hard drugs as a coping mechanism for the pain that was inflicted upon him after being sexually abused. Shawn died of a drug overdose after returning from a rehab facility that wouldn’t allow him to stay. In this sit down, Marianne describes the struggle that those with addiction face in getting help, the ‘system’ which propagates a vicious cycle, the unfair stigma that those with the disease carry, and what parents with children, who are afflicted with the disease of addiction, can do to help them.
Circle of Hope Memorial Garden
Circle of Hope Memorial Garden was created by Marianne Sinisi in honor of her son who died as a result of S.U.D. Her non-profit foundation Families United for Change is dedicated to providing help to anyone suffering from SUD as well as helping family members who have lost loved ones as result of the illness. They also work to promote change in our society regarding the stigma associated with the disease.
