Every six minutes, an American dies from a drug overdose—let that sink in. Every six minutes.
The United States is in the midst of its deadliest drug epidemic, yet many overdose deaths could be prevented. One critical warning sign? A non-fatal overdose.
Survivors of an overdose face a significantly higher risk of another—one that could be fatal. Research shows that among emergency room patients treated for an opioid overdose, about six percent die within a year. Nearly a quarter of those deaths occur within just one month of leaving the hospital. Despite this, too many overdose survivors leave the hospital without the resources or support they need to break the cycle.
That’s where Emily’s Hope steps in. The Post-Overdose Response Team (PORT) connects people with a peer support specialist who meets them where they are—including in the hospital—to offer guidance, resources, and hope.
Hear from Cameron and his mother, Lisa, whose lives were transformed by PORT. Plus, gain insight from Dr. Hannah Statz DeVries and peer support specialist Vanessa, who are working to make a lasting impact.
Meet The Guests
Cameron Neilson
Cameron Nielsen is a passionate advocate for addiction recovery, using his personal journey to raise awareness and break the stigma surrounding substance use disorder. Through sharing his story, he hopes to inspire others to seek help, find hope, and realize that recovery is possible.
Lisa Neilson
Lisa is a dedicated mother whose son, Cameron, found hope and healing through PORT, a transformative program that helped him overcome substance use disorder. Thanks to PORT’s support, Cameron has turned his life around, and Lisa continues to advocate for others seeking recovery.
Vanessa Needles
Vanessa, a dedicated Emily’s Hope Post-Overdose Team Peer Support Specialist, has been in recovery since 2018. She played a key role in supporting Cameron on his recovery journey, helping him achieve lasting transformation through her guidance and support.
Dr. Hannah Statz DeVries
Dr. Hannah Statz DeVries, a member of the Emily’s Hope Board of Directors, is actively involved in the PORT (Post-Overdose Response Team) initiative. With her background in addiction psychiatry, she is dedicated to providing compassionate care and support to individuals in recovery, including those affected by substance use disorders.
