MAPDA – Mothers for Awareness and Prevention of Drug Abuse

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Mothers for Awareness and Prevention of Drug Abuse

About Us

The story of Mothers for Awareness and Prevention of Drug Abuse (formerly Mothers Against Prescription Drug Abuse) begins with the tragic death of a 19 year old. On the morning of April 25, 2010, our founder Janet Janes went to wake her son Christopher for work. But Chris who’d experimented with the potent prescription drug methadone the night before was already too far gone for medics to revive.

In her grief, Janet knew that “even though Chris had passed away, I felt like I needed to protect other kids. I did not want another family to suffer this pain.” And thus MAPDA was created in 2011 with the help of other grieving mothers who had also suffered similar devastating losses.

In 2011, opioids were a silent and often hidden killer – but as we spoke publicly about the dangers of misusing these drugs, parents who had suffered a loss or were struggling with a son’s or daughter’s substance use disorder began to reach out to us. They shared our desire to find solace; spare others from this anguish; and most importantly, demand action.

We started with tiny donations and outsize determination and began speaking in schools to educate children and teens about the deadly danger of misused prescription drugs.

Now over 100,000 Americans lose their lives to overdoses every year, as waves of prescription and Illicit opioids flood our communities and enter our homes. No part of our our country is spared. No family is immune. The latest threat is Uber-powerful illicit synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl and its analogs.

The solutions can seem as straightforward as getting a loved one into treatment, or as complex as ending the stigma too often attached to those suffering from a substance use disorder or mental health issue. None of this is easy, but solutions are achievable.

For starters, let’s get this straight: No one chooses to become addicted. It is not a moral failing. It is a disease. With our perspective as mothers and our fierce instincts to protect our children, we bring unique tools to this battle. We move forward in the memories of Chris, Ryan, Josh, Summer, and so many other loved ones we are losing every day. We stand with our many sister organizations fighting this fight and we stand arm-in-arm with parents everywhere who have lost a child.

Today, MAPDA is a nationally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on solutions, prevention education, and drug awareness communication programs.

Janet's Story The MAPDA Journey

Experience the heartfelt journey of Janet Janes, founder of MAPDA, as she bravely shares her poignant story of loss and resilience in this powerful video about the devastating impact of drug abuse on families. 

Watch the Video

Our Mission

Driving solutions to prevent drug abuse and overdose deaths by focusing on prevention through education and awareness.

Our Core Values

We believe in operating in truth, equity, and transparency.

We believe community collaboration and evidence-based resources create positive generational change.

We believe prevention of drug use through awareness education is the key to saving lives.

We believe that reducing stigma around substance use disorders allows for greater access to life saving treatment, healthier families, and safer communities.

Our Vision

To be a part of the overall solution contributing to a decrease in the national drug abuse and overdose death rates.

Take the Pledge

The Faces of MAPDA

The MAPDA Team Our Valued Team Members

The MAPDA team is comprised of dedicated individuals driven by compassion and a shared mission, they tirelessly work to empower communities, educate families, and advocate for change. With a diverse range of expertise, each member brings unique perspectives and skills to the table, fostering a holistic approach to prevention and intervention. United by a deep commitment to making a positive impact, the MAPDA team embodies resilience, empathy, and unwavering determination in their tireless efforts to combat the devastating effects of substance abuse and create a brighter, healthier future for all.

The Honorable Mary Bono CO-FOUNDER, CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS & CEO

A successful businesswoman and well-known political leader, Congresswoman Mary Bono was hailed as the “embodiment of powerful American womanhood” by the Washington Times during her tenure in the United States House of Representatives. 

Mary was elected to Congress in 1998 to serve California’s 44th (later changed to 45th) Congressional District. She established herself as a respected and closely-watched leader on a wide range of critically important issues while serving 7 terms in Congress (1998-2013).  She served on the Energy and Commerce, Armed Services, Judiciary,  and  Small Business Committees. A proven bipartisan consensus builder, Mary authored legislation that was signed into law by three Presidents: Clinton, GW Bush and Obama.

Today, Mary is widely recognized as a national leader on multiple issues, including addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery. While serving in Congress, she co-created the first ever Prescription Drug Abuse Caucus and chaired hearings specific to the opioid abuse epidemic. She continues to be at the forefront of the nationwide fight against drug abuse and the fentanyl epidemic, both of which impact every community in the country. She currently serves as the Chair of the Board of Mothers for Awareness and Prevention of Drug Abuse (MAPDA).

In 2022, Mary received Distinguished Graduate Merit Award from her alma mater, the University of Southern California.

She is married to former astronaut and Rear Admiral Steve Oswald (U.S. Navy, Retired) and is mother, a grandmother, and a dog mom.

Lita Brannan Vice-Chair

Lita Brannan is Vice President of Government Relations at Cboe Global Markets, Inc. In this role, Brannan serves as Cboe’s sole Washington, DC-based associate, managing the company’s government relations and representing Cboe on Capitol Hill.  She engages with members of the House of Representatives and the Senate on both sides of the aisle, educating them and their staff about Cboe’s business. 

Lita is crucial in communicating Cboe’s positions on various issues facing the financial industry and advocating for the industry as a whole. She boasts more than 25 years of experience representing the derivatives industry on Capitol Hill. 

Before joining Cboe, she headed the Washington office of CME Group and spent 14 years in various roles for CME, including helping coordinate activities in Washington for its political action committee (PAC).

Brannan holds a Bachelor of Arts from George Washington University.

Karla Troast SECRETARY

Karla has dedicated her career to working with special needs and disadvantaged youth as a Psychologist with Riverside Unified School District. She is a member of the California Positive Network of Trainers (PENT), a consortium dedicated to meeting the needs of students with behavioral and emotional challenges. 

Additionally, Karla serves on the Riverside Unified School District Crisis Response Team. Karla holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of California, Riverside, and a Master of Science in Counseling Guidance from California State University.

Karla resides in Riverside, California with her husband Marc Troast and their two children.

Allison Fox TREASURER

Allison has more than 20 years’ experience in high-level project management as a consultant in the Federal government along with holding executive positions in the District of Columbia government. Her distinguished career in the District of Columbia government includes, but is not limited to, the DC Financial Control Board as the primary analyst for the DC Public Schools; the Office of the Chief Financial Officer where she served as the Branch Chief for Public Education and Government Operations; the Office of the Mayor under Anthony Williams as Special Assistant on Budget Formulation; and the DC Public Schools as Budget Director. As a consultant, Allison has spent the most recent 12 years working with Federal agencies to implement a budget formulation system at the Defense Logistics Agency, Department of the Interior, the Department of the Treasury, Department of Justice, US AID, and others. 

Allison knows first-hand the stress and deep sadness the entire family unit endures with a child struggling with drug addiction. She has participated in many parent groups and helped others through advice around recovery options and handling insurance obstacles. She was successful in having two insurance denials reversed by a third-party review by articulating the case for recovery. She has researched and discussed with policy makers the idea to remove the IRS 10% penalty if parents want to access 529 funds to help pay the extraordinary costs of recovery. She is honored to join the  MAPDA Board, where she can more strategically use her experiences to help other families.

Allison currently serves as the representative for the Sleepy Hollow Citizens Association (SHCA) for the Dominion Hospital Community Advisory Group. Dominion Hospital is integral in serving children and adults with addiction treatment in Northern Virginia. Allison holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. She lives in Falls Church, VA with her husband Sean and daughter Lauren. 

Sandra "Sam" Yartin Depoy BOARD MEMBER

Sam is the  Senior Vice President for Global Public Policy at the American Resort Development Association (ARDA).  She primarily works to advance the Association’s legislative agenda on Capitol Hill and in the Executive Branch of government. Sam closely monitors regulatory activities by working with the Federal Trade Commission, Federal Communications Commission, Federal Election Commission, as well as the Department of Housing and Urban Development. She joined ARDA in 1999 as Director of Federal Relations for ARDA-ROC and ARDA-PAC.  Throughout her 20 year tenure with ARDA, Sam successfully built and currently oversees the Association’s $6m Political Action Committee.  No stranger to the real estate and financial services industry, Sam has served as Director of Political Affairs for the Mortgage Bankers Association of America (MBA) and Director of Government Affairs for the National Association of Realtors.

Sam has more than 30 years of successful policy and government affairs experience working across global businesses, trade and industry associations in pursuit of commercial, political, financial, and legislative stakeholder priorities.  She remains a trusted advisor to a highly extensive, bipartisan network of political, regulatory, public/private sector stakeholders at the federal and state levels of government with a strong track record of developing and executing all elements of an association’s strategic plan and public advocacy initiatives.  She was named Top Lobbyist of the Year 2012. 

Sam, her husband Marty and son Andrew reside in Washington, D.C.

She serves on the following Boards:

The GW Medical Faculty Associated Women’s Health Board

The Ripon Society

The Creative Coalition, New York – Advisory Board Member

The Travel Business Roundtable

The Travel Industry Association

The Real Estate Roundtable

Jill Hamaker Board Member

Jill Hamaker is a seasoned government and public affairs professional with over two decades of experience and trusted relationships across the US Government and the private sector. The Hill newspaper recognized her as a “Top Lobbyist.”

Previously she was Vice President and Head of Federal Government Affairs at Emergent BioSolutions, a life sciences company working to address global public health threats. Hamaker built and led the team that developed and implemented strategies to advance the company’s federal government affairs efforts, focused on driving engagement with both the Administration and Capitol Hill. Jill has deep policy expertise in many subject matter areas, including pandemic and public health preparedness, vaccines, Substance Use Disorder/Opioid Use Disorder (SUD/OUD), and infectious diseases.

Hamaker has used her sharp instincts and highly strategic approach to build meaningful partnerships across stakeholders, including government agencies, trade associations, advocacy groups and think tanks. She has built and implemented holistic, highly-targeted, successful public affairs campaigns to deliver critical policy-oriented results.

Hamaker has an extensive background in politics, having started her career in California state, local and federal elections. After moving to Washington, DC, in the mid-2000s, she consulted for numerous Members of Congress, raising tens of millions of dollars for both campaigns and committees. She serves on the Board of Directors of Mothers for Awareness and Prevention of Drug Abuse focused on connecting, engaging and promoting female leaders and mobilizing the next generation of trailblazers and influencers.

Hannah Johnson BOARD MEMBER

Hannah is the Senior Vice President, Head of Tech Talent Programs for CompTIA, a leading voice and advocate for the $5 trillion global information technology ecosystem. In her role, she is dedicated to helping individuals and organizations unlock their potential through comprehensive training programs and solutions. Hannah has spent her career cultivating talent and developing people initiatives that demonstrably advance business goals. Her passion is to help individuals, teams, and organizations reach their highest potential. Before CompTIA, Hannah spent most of her career as an HR Executive, primarily in financial services. Most recently, she served as Chief Talent Officer for Elsewhere Partners, a growth-oriented investment firm focused on software/tech investing for early-stage companies. In addition, she was Head of Human Resources for Thoma Bravo, a leading private equity firm. 

Hannah holds a BS in Journalism: Strategic Communications and a BA in Psychology from the University of Kansas. In 2022, she received her Certificate in Executive Coaching through NYU, and is also a Certified Yoga Instructor. Hannah currently resides in Barrington, IL., with her husband, Ben, her three stepchildren, Kieren (19), Aiden (17) and Ella (15), and their two dogs, Vern and Hank.

Erin Barry BOARD MEMBER

Erin Barry is Vice President of Government Affairs for Merit Medical Systems headquartered in South Jordan, Utah. As head of Government Affairs, Ms. Barry oversees all Company local, state, federal, and global government relations in jurisdictions in which Merit has manufacturing facilities or sales offices. These include the states of Utah, Texas, Virginia, California, and Massachusetts and the countries of The US, Ireland, The Netherlands, Canada, France, Singapore, Australia, Brazil, China, The UAE and Mexico. Erin directs all state and federal lobbying efforts on key issues including taxation, international trade & tariffs, FDA regulation, and state and local economic incentives and compliance.

Prior to joining Merit in 2015, Erin was Deputy Director of Government Affairs for the National Air Traffic Controllers (NATCA) where she was responsible for Congressional outreach and lobbying efforts. Prior to NATCA, she was Vice President is Government Affairs for Unspam, a technology startup offering unique filtering software to state governments to protect minors from inappropriate Internet content.

Erin has a Bachelors Degree in Political Science and Media and Politics from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. She sits on the Board of Directors for BioUtah, Utah Taxpayers Association, and the Utah Manufacturers Association.

Ms. Barry lives in Park City with her husband, Greg Fredde, and their two young children. Erin Barry is Vice President of Government Affairs for Merit Medical Systems headquartered in South Jordan, Utah. As head of Government Affairs, Ms. Barry oversees all Company local, state, federal, and global government relations in jurisdictions in which Merit has manufacturing facilities or sales offices. These include the states of Utah, Texas, Virginia, California, and Massachusetts and the countries of The US, Ireland, The Netherlands, Canada, France, Singapore, Australia, Brazil, China, The UAE and Mexico. Erin directs all state and federal lobbying efforts on key issues including taxation, international trade & tariffs, FDA regulation, and state and local economic incentives and compliance.

Prior to joining Merit in 2015, Erin was Deputy Director of Government Affairs for the National Air Traffic Controllers (NATCA) where she was responsible for Congressional outreach and lobbying efforts. Prior to NATCA, she was Vice President is Government Affairs for Unspam, a technology startup offering unique filtering software to state governments to protect minors from inappropriate Internet content.

Erin has a Bachelors Degree in Political Science and Media and Politics from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. She sits on the Board of Directors for BioUtah, Utah Taxpayers Association, and the Utah Manufacturers Association.

Ms. Barry lives in Park City with her husband, Greg Fredde, and their two young children.

Nina DeLorenzo Board Member

Nina DeLorenzo is a C-suite executive and leader of corporate affairs organizations that integrate a deep understanding of public policy and its intersection with business. With nearly 30 years of communications and public affairs experience in private sector, political, and government settings, she is skilled at building
and leading highly effective teams that defend corporate reputation and shape more favorable external operating environments for companies in highly regulated industries.

She has led multiple successful corporate affairs teams and initiatives, including creation of a new corporate affairs function; leading a company’s Nasdaq listing day strategy; conceiving and launching a corporate rebranding; creating the communications strategy for acquisition and integration of a company; and numerous issues management and corporate reputation campaigns.

Ms. DeLorenzo’s experience has been at large and small companies alike—from leading corporate affairs at Indivior and Emergent to overseeing operations and engagement for a global organization of 450 external affairs professionals at Sanofi in Paris; as well as corporate affairs roles at AbbVie, Pfizer Inc., Schering-Plough Corp. (now Merck), and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA).
She served in the administration of President George W. Bush, working in the White House Coalition Information Center at the outset of the war on terror, and in the Bureau of International Information Programs at the U.S. Department of State. Prior to this service, Ms. DeLorenzo worked in the United States Senate and on political campaigns.

Ms. DeLorenzo holds a BA in Government and International Relations from the University of Notre Dame and an MA in International Relations from the University of Chicago. She resides in Michigan.

Rick Rockhill Board Member

Rick has 25 years of experience in the pet industry, in key executive roles in companies such as Petco, Natural Balance, Del Monte, Big Heart Pet Brands, and Lucy Pet Products. Rick has deep experience in pet food nutrition marketing, brand management, strategy, product development, innovation, business development, and operations. Rick has served on multiple advisory boards in pet food manufacturing and pet food ingredient innovation teams. He is passionate about pets, animal advocacy, and service dog programs. Rick has a former service dog trainee (now pet) standard poodle named Adele who joins him at work in the Breeder’s Choice offices.

Janet Janes ADVISORY COMMITTEE HONORARY CO-CHAIRMAN

As Founder and Executive Director of The Stacie Mathewson Foundation since its inception in 2011, Stacie is dedicated to reducing the nation’s growing substance abuse rate that has reached epidemic proportions and is taking a disproportionate toll on our young people and their families. Her vision is to foster and support a family and youth recovery movement that produces monumental change in the way the nation views, supports and communicates about the disease of addiction. 

Through the Foundation, Stacie is bringing a unique, new perspective to youth recovery. By focusing on the impact that primary, secondary school and college environments have on young people, she has launched an unprecedented initiative using community asset and capacity building that is already changing the lives of students with substance abuse and co-occurring mental health issues. 


Stacie is uniquely qualified to create change in the field of youth recovery. She brings a wealth of business experience to the effort having more than 15 years of entrepreneurial and management experience in the real estate industry. 

Mathewson is also the founder and driving force behind Transforming Youth Recovery. Stacie is a visionary whose dedication to prevention and recovery support for our youth is making a significant impact on Northern Nevada and the nation. To date she has received 29 awards for her innovative efforts from national, state and local organizations in the areas of recovery advocacy, education and evidence-based research. In 2013 Stacie was honored with the Humanitarian of the Year Award by Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) and in 2016, George Washington University awarded Stacie the prestigious Recovery Philanthropist of the Year Award. Stacie has served as a board member of the Betty Ford Foundation since 2012.

In addition to her professional experience, she is personally connected to the cause, witnessing since childhood how addiction disease can tear families apart and span generations. With the loss of a son who first faced the challenge of chemical dependency in his early adolescence, Stacie’s commitment to preventing addiction and protecting the health of our youth is relentless.

Stacie is a native of Alaska, and currently resides in Reno, Nevada.

Stacie Mathewson ADVISORY COMMITTEE HONORARY CO-CHAIRMAN

As Founder and Executive Director of The Stacie Mathewson Foundation since its inception in 2011, Stacie is dedicated to reducing the nation’s growing substance abuse rate that has reached epidemic proportions and is taking a disproportionate toll on our young people and their families. Her vision is to foster and support a family and youth recovery movement that produces monumental change in the way the nation views, supports and communicates about the disease of addiction. 

Through the Foundation, Stacie is bringing a unique, new perspective to youth recovery. By focusing on the impact that primary, secondary school and college environments have on young people, she has launched an unprecedented initiative using community asset and capacity building that is already changing the lives of students with substance abuse and co-occurring mental health issues. 


Stacie is uniquely qualified to create change in the field of youth recovery. She brings a wealth of business experience to the effort having more than 15 years of entrepreneurial and management experience in the real estate industry. 

Mathewson is also the founder and driving force behind Transforming Youth Recovery. Stacie is a visionary whose dedication to prevention and recovery support for our youth is making a significant impact on Northern Nevada and the nation. To date she has received 29 awards for her innovative efforts from national, state and local organizations in the areas of recovery advocacy, education and evidence-based research. In 2013 Stacie was honored with the Humanitarian of the Year Award by Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) and in 2016, George Washington University awarded Stacie the prestigious Recovery Philanthropist of the Year Award. Stacie has served as a board member of the Betty Ford Foundation since 2012.

In addition to her professional experience, she is personally connected to the cause, witnessing since childhood how addiction disease can tear families apart and span generations. With the loss of a son who first faced the challenge of chemical dependency in his early adolescence, Stacie’s commitment to preventing addiction and protecting the health of our youth is relentless.

Stacie is a native of Alaska, and currently resides in Reno, Nevada.

Ceceilia Frazier PROGRAMMING AND RESOURCES MANAGER

MAPDA’s communications team member, Ms. Frazier is a 2023 graduate of Fordham University, Bachelor of Arts in psychology and English minor. While at Fordham, she volunteered for community engagement and awareness projects focused on drug abuse prevention in the Bronx and Queens and incarceration reform and community re-entry initiatives. She spent two summers interning on Capitol Hill and one in the financial services industry, concentrating on client communications and management. She lives in Forest Hills, enjoys exploring New York, and, with her friends, the city’s music venues. 

Kim Waltrip DIRECTOR OF OUTREACH

Kim Waltrip is a distinguished filmmaker and philanthropist who is driven by a profound dedication to both her craft and her unwavering commitment to shining a light on important social issues.  Drawing from her personal experiences with the devastating loss of her step-son from fentanyl poisoning, she has harnessed the power to help raise awareness about the devastating impact of opioid abuse on individuals, families and communities.  She is a widow of ski legend Jon Reveal, a mother to Griffin Wade, step mother of Stefan Reveal and daughter-in-laws Sara Reveal and Casarae Reveal and a grandmother of four.