Steve and Jeannine Ashcraft wanted to help with the growing problem of he**in and op**te use disorder in the area. He**in use especially, had spread quickly through the Southeastern Indiana region and Jeannine saw the impact in her daughter’s high school. Steve learned of an organization in California through a friend who was struggling to help his own two sons battle the disorder of substance use
. That organization was Not One More began in the Simi Valley, the labor of Susan Klimusko and Melissa Siebers, each lost one of their most precious gifts . . . their children, Austin and Lindsay respectively, to a he**in overdose and a he**in-related accident
In October 2013, a candlelight vigil was held in downtown Lawrenceburg, almost 300 people showed up, no one was sure what it was representing, but people rallied around men and women that were in recovery. He spoke honestly and opening about his own recovery from drug use and about the pain of losing friends to he**in. The evening was to increase awareness and grieve our losses and to form alliances to bring change to the community. Angie Bauer was in that crowd, mourning the loss of her son Eric DeRosa. He died one week earlier of a he**in overdose at the age of 29. Both Eric and Alec had worked for recovery together and shared dreams of bringing change and hope to those seeking freedom from drugs. Holding a candle and not knowing what else to do, she sought out Alec, to find a way to continue Eric’s goals. Alec’s words reached Steve and Jeannine who were also present that evening. They recognized his leadership and passion, and saw in him, the person their Not One More chapter needed. The small chapter has grown and spreads across the tristate area of Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. The memory of Eric, and far too many other victims binds us as a community, strengthens commitment, and reminds us that Not One More person should suffer the loss of life, or that of friend or family. Nearly everyone knows someone who has been affected by he**in and op**te addiction. We exist to decrease those odds, and bring hope and understanding to those in need.
