Alliance Raises Youth Drug Awareness at Sewickley Heights Golf Club

Jeff Bennett encouraged the hushed room at the Sewickley Heights Golf Club to take a deep breath.

Attendees of the Pennsylvania Alliance for Safe and Drug Free Children fundraiser had just finished screening the new video, “Listen: A Message of Hope.” The video features four Western Pennsylvania families, including Bennett and his wife Patti, who tell courageous stories about losing children to drug addiction. The Bennett's daughter Emily died in January last year from a heroin overdose at age 22.

“You may be asking yourself ‘what hope is there after watching this video?’ I think I can speak for the other families and say that there truly is hope,” said Jeff Bennett, also an Alliance board member.

Bennett personally recognized the families featured in the film, most of whol were in attendance, along with educators, health professionals, families and community leaders. The film, to be released next month, was produced by Michael Bartley, managing editor of WQED, who introduced speakers.

Debbie Kehoe, executive director of Alliance, said the "Listen I" video was introduced a decade ago to start a dialogue with parents and children. The new video takes that dialogue a step further, she said.

"We can no longer have the attitude that drug addiction can't happen in our families," she said.

Former Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro offensive tackle Tunch Ilkin spoke about his past drug and alcohol addiction and credited his Christian faith for ultimately helping him to quit using. After being drafted to the Steelers, Ilkin said he joined a group of teammates who started a Steelers Bible study.

“I was a heavy drug user for 11 years, and a heavy alcohol user, so it is only by God's grace that I am standing in front of you," said Ilkin, now a men's pastor. "There were times that the Lord should have taken me.” 

He encouraged parents to remain diligent with kids and to eliminate privacy in the home.

Parents were also encouraged to look out for signs such as early tobacco use or new secretive friendships. Founded in 2002, Alliance works to educate families about drug prevention and intervention and offer parent support. The event helped raise awareness and funds to support the non-profit coalition.

--

For more information call Debbie Kehoe, executive director of the Alliance, at 724-612-5554 or visit www.drug-alliance.org. The toll-free, non-crisis resource line is 1-866-988-9900.