The Jamie Daniels Foundation, an initiative of the Children's Foundation, was established in 2018 by Ken Daniels and Lisa Daniels-Goldman in memory of their son Jamie who died of an overdose at the age of 23 while receiving treatment for substance use disorder. Despite the support of his family, Jamie’s life was tragically lost due to substandard care and the predatory practices that exist in the recovery business.
Unfortunately, while tragic, Jamie’s story is not unique. In fact, substance use disorder has become an epidemic across our country with more than 96,000 Americans losing their lives to overdose in the past year. This disease does not discriminate. It knows no socio-economic or cultural boundaries. And sadly, 90% of those who struggle with addiction started engaging with drugs or alcohol before their 18th birthday.