Save the Michaels of the World, Inc. was established in June of 2011 as a small kitchen roundtable action group, to bring attention and awareness of the devastating effects of opioid medications after the death by suicide of 20 year old Michael David Israel.

Avi and Julie Israel decided they didn’t want to see other families suffer the loss of a loved one. The journey started with an interview with a Buffalo News reporter who told Michael’s story. That story got more attention from TV stations. Doctors, patients, parents and the population as a whole are not aware of the danger of opiate addiction. We wanted to find a way to address the overprescribing of pain medications such as hydrocodone and others.
 

Harm Reduction Manager
Save the Michaels of the World, Lockport

RoseAnn Valenti is a dedicated Certified Recovery Peer Advocate, recently celebrating eight years of personal recovery. RoseAnn has made a significant impact in the substance use disorder field, focusing on harm reduction and street outreach for the last four years. RoseAnn started as a recovery coach with Save the Michaels about one year ago and has recently taken on the role of Harm Reduction Manager, overseeing the new Syringe Exchange Program at Save the Michaels Lockport Recovery Center. RoseAnn is passionate about meeting people where they are in their journey as well as eradicating the stigma surrounding substance use disorder and recovery through educating the community and raising awareness. RoseAnn believes in the power of compassion and understanding in fostering a supportive environment for those seeking support.



 

‘Narcan — it gives people a second chance’: New Narcan vending machine to save lives 

https://www.wkbw.com/news/local-news/northtowns/narcan-it-gives-people-a-second-chance-new-narcan-vending-machine-to-save-lives

There is a new way of fighting the drug overdose epidemic to save lives. A Narcan vending machine is now installed outside the Kenmore Fire Department.