Parent Advocate

(Sharon Blair is a NOPE Task Force supporter living in Bloomington, Ind. This is a letter she published in the Bloomington Herald Times Newspaper.)

January 25, 2012 (Publish Date)

JENNIFER ACT STILL WORTH FIGHTING FOR
Guest Column Bloomington Herald Times Newspaper

I am a Bloomington resident who has worked very hard to improve Indiana laws to aid families who are in a crisis of substance addiction. I drafted The Jennifer Act [proposed bill] for Indiana and Florida after the accidental death of my precious daughter, Jennifer Reynolds, January 15, 2009. The Jennifer Act has been introduced for 3 years into the Indiana General Assembly by State Senator Vi Simpson.
In 2010, The Jennifer Act was introduced as Indiana Senate Bill 380, in 2011 it was introduced as Indiana Senate Bill 22 and in 2012, it has been introduced as Indiana [SCR 0007] Senate ConCurrent Resolution No. 007. As I found out, the legislative process is very long and often takes years, to see a bill or revision come to pass. In Florida, the Jennifer Act has been introduced for 2012 by Florida State Senator Jack Latvala as Senate Bill No. 1744 Titled " The Jennifer Act".

I know the Herald Times covers issues facing our local community and our state and wanted to bring your attention to a Bloomington resident who has not given up the mission and the advocacy of The Jennifer Act. Indiana Senators on the Committee on Health and Provider Services will review The Jennifer Act [SCR0007]. The Indiana State Senators who are on this Committee are: Senator Miller (Chair), Senator Mishler, Senator Becker, Senator Charbonneau, Senator Gard, Senator Grooms, Senator Leising, Senator Breaux, Senator Rogers and Senator Simpson.

The intent of SCR No.0007 is to improve commitment laws to better aid Indiana families who are in need of emergency help and intervention for those who are chronically and progressively substance addicted. Those addicted are severely impaired and often do not see a way out of the downward spiral of addiction . Addiction is a brain disease and left untreated, they face overdose death or incarceration. There is a stigma attached to families suffering with addiction. It's ripple effects are far reaching. Addiction is a family disease, because it effects the entire family. Addicted parents lose their children due to substance addiction and incarceration. Grand parents and other relatives are left to raise the children of the addicted or else they are placed in foster homes. I include secular and faith based treatment with The Jennifer Act. I am very familiar with faith based treatment and have witnessed many lives changed, who have received faith based treatment. In conclusion, as a Christian,I feel that The Jennifer Act is a ministry that God has intended for His purpose and plan. My website has brought many people to contact me from all across the United States. They ask me for help, advice, references and many are grieving parents who have just lost their children to overdose death. They are devastated and share the most candid emails with me about their loved one who passed away. I remain hopeful that we will see The Jennifer Act manifest and families will be saved by this important intervention tool. I am including the bill draft for your review.
Thank you.

Sincerely yours,

Mrs. Sharon Blair