Uploaded December 2019 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
In the time it takes to finish this video, someone will have died from a opioid overdose. Each day, more than 130 Americans die from opioid overdose and overdose is now the leading cause of death for people in the U.S. under 50 years old. Nowhere has been hit harder by the opioid abuse epidemic than the Midwest, where heroin-related overdose deaths have increased by more than 5 times in this decade alone. In fact, one in five opioid overdose deaths occur in the industrial Midwest states, like Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.
We met with Katie Renfrow, the founder of Our SAM Foundation, a nonprofit confronting the opioid abuse crisis by helping people overcome their struggle with addiction by awarding scholarships for people to enter sober living houses. For Katie, this mission is personal. In 2017, she lost her son, Sam, to a fentanyl-laced heroin overdose. He was only 24 years old. We spoke with Sam's sister and Our SAM Board Member, Kayla Hildebrandt, to learn Sam's story.
Like Sam, about 10% of patients legally prescribed painkillers develop abuse disorder and 5% transition to heroin once their prescription runs out. In fact, more than 80% of heroin users first misused prescription opioids. We sat down with Nicholas Marcus, who received a sober living scholarship from Our SAM Foundation to assist in his recovery.
Like Nicholas, the struggle with addiction frequently leads to homelessness. More than half of homeless individuals are dependent on alcohol or other harmful substances; but, with access to support, guidance and accountability, these people can find hope in recovery housing. New Foundations Executive Director, Mikella Chrisman, spoke with us about the obstacles which addicts must overcome on the road to recovery.
Our Sam Foundation awards scholarships through a network of recovery housing organizations. There, participants receive safe housing, access to evidence-based recovery groups, and a systematic approach to sober living. One sober living scholarship recipient, Preston Denney, says Our SAM Foundation gave him the hand up to help change his life.
Opioid abuse is an urgent crisis here in Cincinnati and across the United States, as addiction can destroy families and literally end lives. You can get involved right now by going to oursamfoundation.org and learning how you can change and save lives by getting involved in this mission.
Please share this video and consider a donation to Our SAM Foundation to help people enter sober living and win their fight against addiction.
CLICK HERE: OURSAMFOUNDATION.org
In the time it takes to finish this video, someone will have died from a opioid overdose. Each day, more than 130 Americans die from opioid overdose and overdose is now the leading cause of death for people in the U.S. under 50 years old. Nowhere has been hit harder by the opioid abuse epidemic than the Midwest, where heroin-related overdose deaths have increased by more than 5 times in this decade alone. In fact, one in five opioid overdose deaths occur in the industrial Midwest states, like Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.
We met with Katie Renfrow, the founder of Our SAM Foundation, a nonprofit confronting the opioid abuse crisis by helping people overcome their struggle with addiction by awarding scholarships for people to enter sober living houses. For Katie, this mission is personal. In 2017, she lost her son, Sam, to a fentanyl-laced heroin overdose. He was only 24 years old. We spoke with Sam's sister and Our SAM Board Member, Kayla Hildebrandt, to learn Sam's story.
Like Sam, about 10% of patients legally prescribed painkillers develop abuse disorder and 5% transition to heroin once their prescription runs out. In fact, more than 80% of heroin users first misused prescription opioids. We sat down with Nicholas Marcus, who received a sober living scholarship from Our SAM Foundation to assist in his recovery.
Like Nicholas, the struggle with addiction frequently leads to homelessness. More than half of homeless individuals are dependent on alcohol or other harmful substances; but, with access to support, guidance and accountability, these people can find hope in recovery housing. New Foundations Executive Director, Mikella Chrisman, spoke with us about the obstacles which addicts must overcome on the road to recovery.
Our Sam Foundation awards scholarships through a network of recovery housing organizations. There, participants receive safe housing, access to evidence-based recovery groups, and a systematic approach to sober living. One sober living scholarship recipient, Preston Denney, says Our SAM Foundation gave him the hand up to help change his life.
Opioid abuse is an urgent crisis here in Cincinnati and across the United States, as addiction can destroy families and literally end lives. You can get involved right now by going to oursamfoundation.org and learning how you can change and save lives by getting involved in this mission.
Please share this video and consider a donation to Our SAM Foundation to help people enter sober living and win their fight against addiction.
CLICK HERE: OURSAMFOUNDATION.org
