Donnie, Dustin, Jeremy and Matt share their experiences with substance use addiction and recovery and introduce listeners to community members doing great things.
Donnie is a person in recovery from substance use disorder who is passionate about supporting others seeking recovery. He is a 12 step sponsor, facilitates 12 step meetings, provides H&I throughout the Northeast Tennessee region and Southwest Virginia. Donnie and his partner, Sarah reside in Carter County and he enjoys spending as much time as possible with his two children and his best friend, Dustin.
Dustin Leilich is Carter County Drug Prevention’s Prevention and Recovery Sports, Fatherhood and Events Coordinator. He is a person in long term recovery from substance use, a L.E.A.D. certified instructor, a facilitator of INDEPTH and NOT vaping education programs and is working toward certifications as a Certified Recovery Coach, Certified Peer Recovery Specialist and Certified Prevention Specialist. One of his favorite parts of his job is being able to watch kids make memories with their parents, especially parents who are learning to reconnect with them in recovery. Dustin has four children and four grandchildren who inspire him everyday to be the best human possible. He uses his experiences to create and implement programs to benefit families throughout the Northeast Tennessee region.
Jeremy Miller is a Regional Overdose Prevention Specialist at Sullivan County Anti-drug Coalition as well as a contractor for Recovery Resources, working in both roles to support others at various stages in their recovery journeys. He is a person in long term recovery from substance use disorder and a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist. Jeremy is a graduate of the one80 and Recovery Resources programs and founder of a twelve step Drug Addicts Anonymous group. The most rewarding part of his life today is watching others with similar experiences to his own grow into incredible humans.
Matt Crawford is employed by ACTION Coalition as a Recovery Coach/Peer Support Specialist. In addition to being a Ginger Extraordinaire, he is a Certified Recovery Coach and is working toward his CPRS Certification. Matt serves as a 12 step sponsor, facilitates 12 step meetings and provides H & I at facilities throughout the region. He is passionate about music, family and using his lived experience with substance use to create a healthier recovery community.
Craig Forrester is the co-founder of Recovery Resources, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and empowering our communities to thrive beyond addiction. He is also employed by Sullivan County Anti-Drug Coalition as a CPRS and has more than seven years in personal recovery. Craig is a father, stepfather, an advocate, an advisor and an inspiration to many in our community. Favorite Travis Tritt song? It’s a Great Day to Be Alive.
Jilian Reece is the Director of Carter County Drug Prevention. She has a bachelor's degree in communication from East Tennessee State University and is a Certified Prevention Specialist II. Her favorite part of her job is working with teenagers because she is confident they are going to make the world a gentler and kinder place as they grow. She also loves teaching about adverse childhood experiences and feels like everyone should know their score and how to build resilience (and their enneagram number too!). Jilian has three precious boys and one amazing little girl who love to play, learn and grow in the Carter County community and she hopes that her work makes that community a better place for them. And, her favorite Travis Tritt song? I’m Gonna Be Somebody.