"Two weeks ago I interviewed April Rovero, Vice President of the San Ramon Soroptimists, about her organization. I had heard of Soroptimists but didn't know much about the organization. From the name I thought it was the female auxiliary of the Optimists. Actually Soroptimists is a separate organization, founded in Oakland, CA in 1921. Even though membership is predominantly female, it isn't restricted only to women. Women tend to be attracted to join, because the organization focuses on women's issues and needs."
At that time April was Project Manager of "Strides for Awareness," a walk to raise money for breast cancer research. The walk was held on June 7, 2003 and was a big success. I found that April is very efficient and effective in taking charge of large-scale projects.
Two years ago April and her family experienced a tragedy when her college-age son, Joey, died from an overdose of the prescription drug, Oxycontin. This sad incident spurred April to form an organization to keep other families from facing the same loss.
April has been trying to get the word out about the dangers of prescription drug abuse. The organization she formed, National Coalition Against Prescription Drug Abuse (NCAPDA) is holding an event at the San Ramon Golf Club this Monday evening, March 26, 2012. I posted an announcement about it in the About Town section of the San Ramon Express on March 20th, but I doubt many people saw it. So here it is again:
WHAT EVERYONE NEEDS TO KNOW TO AVOID THE IMPACT OF PRESCRIPTION DRUG DEPENDENCE AND ABUSE
March 26 5:00 pm-8:30 PM
Wedgewood Wedding and Banquet Center
San Ramon Golf Club
9430 Fircrest Lane
San Ramon, CA 94583
Registration is $20 plus $2.09 fee. Click here to register online for the Overdose America event.
The Wedgewood Banquet Center holds 300 people, so there will be plenty of room left to pay at the door. If you can't come early, come for the Keynote address or the Panel discussion, but please come and support this cause.
I hope to see a big turnout there for this important event about a timely topic to every parent in San Ramon.
Here's a schedule of the event taken from the flyer.
5:00 pm – Natural Healing Options – Relaxation and movement therapy – Addiction treatment and recovery services – Drug testing info – Book signings by Gwen Olsen and Dr. Richard Gracer
6:30 pm-7:15 pm Keynote Speaker, Gwen Olsen, Author of "Confessions of an RX Drug Pusher"
7:15 pm – 8:30 pm Panel
Moderator: Carolyn Johnson, ABC 7 News Co-Anchor
Presenters: Dr. Richard Gracer, Dr. Jeff Johnson, Dr. Michael Shpak, Contra Costa District Attorney Mark Peterson, Jill Daniels
Presented by the National Coalition Against Prescription Drug Abuse (NCAPDA).
