How/why did you get started with KED? I was looking to shift my career into more mission-driven, impactful work. When I saw that KED was looking to fill the Marketing and Events Director role, it felt like the perfect fit. My thought was, “You mean to tell me I can use my marketing and communications experience to help our kids? Say no more!” How do you connect with KED’s mission? Nearly everyone has been impacted by substance use or addiction in some way. I believe our youth

For decades, drug prevention messaging focused on one simple instruction: “Just Say No.” Launched in the 1980s, the “Just Say No” campaign aimed to combat drug use by encouraging young people to reject drugs outright. While the campaign helped bring national attention to the issue, we now understand that preventing substance use is far more complex. The message “Just Say No” oversimplifies the reasons why people use drugs. It does not address the social, emotional, and enviro

As a young boy, Danny Frawley loved scouts and camping. He was a loyal friend, loved to laugh, and was never afraid to give his dad a hug in public. His parents taught him to never be ashamed to show you love someone. And that is what Danny is most remembered for…helping, loving and supporting others including family, friends & even strangers who became friends. Even while facing his own personal struggles and addiction, Danny was always helping others. Danny is remembered

Matthew was the second oldest of five kids, growing up alongside his older brother JJ, younger sister Kimmy, younger brother Ryan, and me, his youngest sister. He was always starting something with his siblings, or someone was getting back at him. He was the antagonist of the family because he would crack a lot of jokes or pranks and really get under your skin. He was very thin, so he got picked on a lot by his older brother JJ, but it was all fun and games at the Kreuzer hou

Christopher’s Story: A Journey of Courage, Recovery, and Love The year 2011 was one of the most difficult years our family had ever faced. After years of watching Christopher battle neurofibromatosis, endure seven brain surgeries, and overcome more medical challenges than any young person should have to bear, we finally believed he was on his way toward health and healing. What we did not understand at the time was that the medications administered—including powerful doses of

If the thought of talking to your teen about drugs makes you uncomfortable, you’re not alone. Many parents worry they’ll say the wrong thing, or that if they bring up the topic of drugs, it will only encourage curiosity. The good news? Honest, age-appropriate conversations are actually one of the most effective ways to help youth make healthy decisions. Here are some tips to get the conversation started: Start the conversation early and have it often. There doesn’t need to b

YES! Addiction is a chronic and relapsing brain disease rather than a simple moral failing or lack of willpower. Here are some key components of the disease model of addiction: 1. Biological Basis: Addiction has a biological basis. Repeated use of certain substances can lead to changes in the brain's structure and function, particularly in areas related to reward, motivation, and decision-making. These changes can make it difficult for individuals to control their drug use. 2

KED & YOU Why is digital marketing important for an organization like KED? With so many wonderful community organizations in WNY, it’s important for people to know exactly what KED does. We are unique in the free educational programming that we offer. Our team is highly adaptable to meet any audience’s needs and will do everything they can to get families the support they need. What platform do you think is most important for reaching families right now — and why? Although so

KED & YOU Share your favorite moment from recent programming: While working with a particularly at-risk population, a young lady said “Alright miss you win, you got in my head. You're the only one that's ever made me think twice about any of this.” Why is this work especially important in our community? There is so much misinformation and stigmatization surrounding substance use, and young people aren’t being told the whole truth. With increased accessibility to substances an

"A couple of weeks ago I hit one year nicotine free. This is something, honestly, I thought never possible. The addiction to it had me in a choke hold. I had to always have it on me. I had to completely rewire how I did things. And I worked hard to get one year free. I started smoking cigarettes at 13. I started smoking cigarettes and vaping at 19 and finally quit at 25. I took my vape most places with me, always had to have at least one in my possession. There had been conve

KED & YOU You've been at KED the longest, what changes have you seen in the WNY community? The WNY community remains passionate about helping kids. There have been so many changes to the landscape of substance use, both at a county, state, and federal level, but WNY remains committed to helping kids and families. The one thing that has not changed is the mission of KED and the continued support of the WNY community. What is your vision for the future of KED in the next 3–5 ye

KED & YOU Share your favorite moment from recent programming: I recently did a presentation at a BPS High School and some of the students were so shocked by the information in our Vaping 101 Presentation, they decided to give up their vapes to the principal and quit on the spot! Why is this work especially important in our community? As a former teacher, I’ve seen first-hand how using addictive substances like alcohol and vapes have impacted students' ability to learn and d

KED & YOU What is the SFC? What do they do? The SFC is a group of people who all have the same goal, to reduce substance use in West Seneca and Orchard Park. We meet and work on projects to achieve this goal. Everyone is from a different sector of the community, so we collectively have many perspectives and connections. Why are community partnerships so important in reducing youth substance use? It only makes sense that the more hands and minds we get together, the better w

KED & YOU You'll find Kat's smiling face at our front desk! How can you help a friend struggling with addiction? Everyone’s path to recovery is different; each person is going to have a different experience or drug of choice, whatever the case may be. A conversation can be a start; it opens the opportunity to voice your own concerns, while also allowing them to communicate their own thoughts and feelings. You don’t want it to feel more like a lecture, or your friend feeling b

Mikayla loved helping with our Toy Giveaway with Buffalo Bills' Christian Benford! KED & YOU Share your favorite moment from recent programming: One recent thing that happened was that I was teaching a group of youth what resiliency is. After each session I ask at the end what the word of the day was. Almost every kid shouted at once, resiliency. It was amazing! Why is this work especially important in our community? Being able to teach youth the key skills needed to make hea

What are you studying? I am a double major studying health and human services and psychology. Once I get my undergraduate, I would like to go back to school to get my masters in social work after a few years off. Where are you from? I am from Derby NY, located in the Southtowns of Buffalo. What drew you to interning with KED? My internship advisor told me that she had a student who interned at KED before and they had a really amazing experience with it. She advertised it

Prescription Have you made an effort to store your prescription medicine safely? Every day, young people come across medications in places adults rarely think twice about—bathroom drawers, kitchen cabinets, backpacks, even purses. To keep kids safe, adults and parents can take a few simple steps that make a huge difference. 1. Lock It Up Medications—prescription or over the counter—don’t belong within easy reach. Quick ways to secure meds: Use a lockbox or locking cabinet Kee

Underage cannabis use can pose several risks to adolescents and young adults, primarily because the brain is still developing during this period. Here are some of the key risks associated with underage cannabis use: 1. Impaired Brain Development: The brain undergoes significant development during adolescence, including the formation of crucial neural pathways and structures. Cannabis use during this period can interfere with normal brain development, potentially leading to lo

Drug harm reduction is about keeping people safe, healthy, and alive. It’s a caring approach that helps people who use drugs reduce the risks that come with it — without judgment or shame. What Does “Harm Reduction” Mean? Harm reduction means finding ways to make drug use less dangerous. Some people may not be ready or able to stop using drugs right now, and that’s okay. Harm reduction meets people where they are and gives them tools and supp ort to stay safe until they’re r

The holiday season is a time for family, friends, and celebration. Many people look forward to gathering together, sharing meals, and making memories. But as the parties and festivities begin, it’s also a good time to talk about drinking — especially how we can make safe and healthy choices for ourselves and our loved ones. One concern that often comes up during the holidays is parents allowing their underage kids to drink “just a little” at home. Some parents believe it’s sa