In this overwhelming opioid epidemic, it’s more important than ever to educate our youth and try to prevent them from having to face this problem. For today’s awkward conversation, Clare Kramer is joined by Catie Drew who is the Senior Prevention Program Manager in the DEAs Community Outreach and Prevention Support Section, Bill Bryan who is the Assistant National Director of the Elks Drug Awareness Program, and Drew Hammill who is a Senior Instructional Design Manager for Discovery Education.
They share incredible resources that are relevant to not only parents and their kids (youth and teens,) but also to other organizations such as schools, scouts, and faith-based organizations. One person can make a difference so listen in today to learn how to spread awareness and educate others.
IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Resources:
Growing Up Drug-Free: A Parent's Guide to Substance Use Prevention
Never Thought I’d Say This Podcast with Jodie
Awkward Breakfast Conversations - Ep. 1
Awkward Lunch Conversations - Ep. 2
Awkward Dinner Conversations - Ep. 3
Elks Drug Awareness Program Website
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BIOs:
Clare Kramer
A graduate of NYU’s prestigious Tisch School of the Arts, Clare earned her BFA in just three years. While in New York, Clare appeared in numerous stage plays including one turn as Helen Keller in the stage version of "The Miracle Worker", the lead role in "Light Up the Sky" at the acclaimed Lee Strasberg Theater Institute, "Beyond Therapy" at the John Houseman Theater, and "Beginnings" at Circle in the Square. She began appearing in small and bit parts in films like In & Out and Vig. Clare first rose to attention as the hard-nosed cheerleader "Courtney" in the blockbuster hit Bring It On appearing alongside Kirsten Dunst and Eliza Dushku.
Immediately following, Clare was cast in a recurring role as "Glory", the vain hell-goddess on the television hit Buffy the Vampire Slayer which gained Clare additional acclaim as one of Buffy's most popular adversaries. Clare has worked in both major studio and independent films, the most notable being Roger Avary's feature adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis' The Rules of Attraction, as well as "Lucy In the Sky" in the film D.E.B.S. She was also cast in lead roles in The Skulls III.
She also appeared on television in a few guest appearances on Sabrina the Teenage Witch, The Random Years, and Tru Calling. She continues to work for both stage and movie roles, most recently with the horror flick The Gravedancers.
Clare is also active in various charities dating back to 1992 when she helped the Ohio Recreation Unlimited and in 1993 when she served as a summer camp counselor at a YMCA camp for children with physical disabilities. During the summer months from 1992 to 1997, she taught young adults with developmental disabilities at the Young Adult Institute in New York. She worked during the summer of 2000 at LA's Camp Laurel and participated in a 2002 bicycle race to raise money for Children International. Also in 2002, Clare rode her bicycle in the annual AIDS Ride, where participants ride over a seven-day period that takes them from San Francisco to Los Angeles. In 2006, while on a trip to Australia and New Zealand with her husband, film producer Brian R. Keathley, Clare delivered school supplies to the small village of Tufi, Papua New Guinea.
Catie Drew-
Cathleen (Catie) Drew joined the Drug Enforcement Administration in 2006 as the Education Coordinator for the DEA Museum. She is currently a Senior Prevention Program Manager in DEA’s Community Outreach and Prevention Support Section. In this capacity, she helps educate the public and communicate the Administration’s drug prevention messages. She is responsible for the oversight of the Operation Prevention drug prevention curriculum (in collaboration with Discovery Education) and the numerous drug prevention publications provided by DEA’s Community Outreach and Prevention Support Section. Catie previously worked as an Interpretive Science Park Ranger for the National Park Service, an Environmental Education Specialist for the Smithsonian Institution, and a Marine Biologist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Catie has an undergraduate degree in Environmental Biology from the University of Colorado, and a Master’s Degree in Museum Education from George Washington University. She lives with her family in Northern Virginia.
Bill Bryan-
William “Bill” Bryan is a 50+ year member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, who has been involved in the Elks’ Drug Awareness Program since its inception in the late 1980s. Currently, he serves as the Assistant National Director of the DAP and along with the other Directors is responsible for training State Chairs and providing them with support in their efforts.
Prior to his retirement in 2006, Bill spent his professional career working with families and children in a variety of capacities as a police officer; social worker, and Correctional Superintendent. His focus has always been on creating a safer community for everyone, with a strong belief that one person can make a difference.
Drew Hammill-
Drew is a Senior Instructional Design Manager for Discovery Education. He holds an M.A in Social Studies Education and a Masters in School Administration from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He began his career as an AmeriCorps volunteer working with students with behavioral and emotional disorders. Drew has served as a high school social studies teacher, school administrator, and curriculum coordinator for K-12 Social Studies in Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. While serving in these roles, he led professional development in areas of inquiry-based learning, literacy integration, and social-emotional learning.
About Elks
As a 150-year-old organization, they are 100% inclusive with a membership of close to 1 million diverse men and women in over 2,000 Lodges nationally, and while they consider themselves faith-based, they are nondenominational and open to all creeds. The Elks have always prided themselves on civic duty, and the Elks Drug and Alcohol Prevention (DAP) program is the nation's largest all-volunteer Kids Drug & Alcohol Use Prevention program. The Elks are also strong supporters of our brave men and women in the military, having built and donated the nation's first VA Hospital to the U.S. government. The Elks have donated more than $3.6 billion in cash, goods, and services to enrich the lives of millions of people!
About DEA
The United States Drug Enforcement Administration was created in 1973 by President Nixon after the government noticed an alarming rise in recreational drug use and drug-related crime. A division of the Department of Justice, DEA is tasked with enforcing the controlled substances laws by apprehending offenders to be prosecuted for criminal and civil crimes. DEA is the largest and most effective anti-drug organization in the world, with 239 domestic locations and 91 foreign offices in 68 countries.