Roxbury volunteer honored at White House

National Drug Control Policy Director Michael Botticelli honored Roxbury resident Denise Mariano as an “Advocate for Action” during a White House ceremony last week.

Mariano’s advocacy efforts have focused on keeping other children from walking the same path as her son, who struggled with a substance-use disorder for four years, and to keep other families from having to watch their children walk down that path. Her efforts began with education and prevention in her home town through The Herren Project’s Project Purple Initiative, which has expanded throughout Morris County.

Mariano also is a member of the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids’ “National Parent Partner” program, which develops evidence-based resources for parents on www.drugfree.org. She is a participant in the Parent Support Network, providing resources and support for families across America who have children with substance use disorders.

“Of course, to be at the White House and to partake in a staff meeting in the West Wing is beyond anything I could have ever imagined,” Mariano said. “However, what truly made this day so very special was Director Botticelli and his amazing, passionate and welcoming staff. They represent positive change and hope for so many. I am deeply honored and humbled to receive this award and to be a part of this change.”

Mariano was trained as a peer-to-peer parent coach for the partnership in a program developed to offer support for parents who have experienced drug-abuse issues with their children or are currently struggling with a child’s drug use. She also was selected as a 2013 National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence-N.J. Advocacy Leader for her efforts in New Jersey.

She also is a member of the Morris County Task Force on Opiates, a collaborative effort of the Morris County Department of Human Services and the County Coalition for a Safe and Healthy Morris, whose mission is to deter the misuse of opioid medications and the use of heroin, reduce the stigma surrounding substance use disorders, enhance access to treatment, and prevent overdose deaths through education, advocacy, and collaboration.

Every year, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy recognizes leaders who are making a difference in their communities through advocacy or direct services. Their work supports the Obama administration’s efforts to reduce drug use and its consequences through a public-health and public-safety approach.

“I am pleased to honor the work Denise Mariano is doing to make our communities healthier and safer,” Botticelli said. “By promoting evidence-based prevention, treatment and recovery efforts, Advocates for Action are helping to reduce drug use and its consequences across the country.”

“Effective prevention and education requires that the same messages about substance use be delivered by multiple messengers including schools, peers, the community and most importantly parents,” Mariano said. “Through sharing my story and spearheading community-based advocacy efforts and projects, I am grateful to have planted many seeds. Today, communities are collaborating, education programs are being restructured, and, most importantly, fewer parents are saying ‘not my kid.’”

Staff Writer William Westhoven: 973-428-6627; wwesthoven@dailyrecord.com.