-Sue Webber-Brown

Sue Webber- Brown with President Bush. Sue received a commendation from the President for all of her hard work with kids.  She is responsible for the development and successful Drug Endangered Children (DEC) Program, the first of its kind in the United States. 

Although my memory has somewhat faded from the early 90’s, I still see bits and pieces of hundred of children’s dirty little faces, amid little snippets of the homes they came from, too many to describe and most so insidious I want to forget.  My memories don’t go away. They only become more fragmented as I try to identify which child was saved from which disastrous home.  Thanks to all of partners at the county, state and National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children, I am not alone.

Less than three years after DEC was started, great things began to occur across the country.   The California’s Governor’s Office took the lead. They funded the first DEC grants in the nation, including a Drug Endangered Children Resource Center and six counties. 

In 1997, many disciplines worked to spread the word about DEC.  After some persistent work, in 2000, the Western States Regional Meeting held, “Linking Methamphetamine with Child Endangerment:  Building a Multi-Disciplinary Approach.” It was the first of its kind in the nation.  More than 500 participants representing nine other states attended this groundbreaking event.  By mid 2002, more than 16 states had hosted training events on DEC.

From its humble beginning in Butte County, CA, DEC spread across the nation capturing the hearts of every professional and community member dealing with substance abuse victims.  The DEC program can end the cycle of drug abuse and violence if we continue to remain dedicated, work together, share ideas, and avoid “empire building” for the sake of our babies.   

I remain forever committed, and I hope you will too!