In February 2013, atTAcK addiction was founded on a promise. Don and Jeanne Keister had watched their son, Tyler, die two months earlier in a Delaware hospital room from the effects of an accidental heroin overdose. With other like-minded parents, they formed atTAcK addiction, a grassroots Delaware nonprofit, to prevent as many parents and families from going through the horrific loss that they had endured. The capitalized letters in the nonprofit’s name are Tyler’s initials, TAK, for Tyler Armstrong Keister.

In 2012, the year that Tyler died, 126 lives were lost to overdoses in Delaware. Since 2012, more than 4,500 sons and daughters, sisters and brothers, mothers and fathers, friends, co-workers and neighbors in Delaware have been lost to overdoses. 

atTAcK addiction advocates for change all along the system – prevention, treatment, recovery – and supports individuals and their families in multiple ways. Our grassroots, statewide mission is simple:

 

Since February 2013, atTAcK addiction has impacted tens of thousands of lives across Delaware and beyond. We are driven by these four simple words: First, save the life. 

Through raising awareness in schools and at community events. To providing access to housing for men and women early in their recoveries. To advocating for prevention, treatment, harm-reduction and recovery measures that make a difference. To training individuals and groups on how to use Narcan and providing free kits. To opening a Resource Center in Peoples Plaza shopping center where people can walk in, call or email for assistance. To providing free one-on-one coaching to people impacted by their loved one's substance use disorder. 

And, most importantly, always being there when a family member calls, emails or texts asking what they should do next after learning that their loved one is in active use. atTAcK addiction can help. We've got you. 

Learn more at www.attackaddiction.org.