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CTS Foundation

About CTS Foundation

The Courage To Speak Foundation Inc. is a nonprofit organization based in Norwalk, CT, whose mission is “to save lives by empowering youth to be drug-free through fostering education and open communication about the dangers of drug and alcohol use.” Ginger Katz founded the organization in 1996, just months after her 20 year old son Ian James Eaccarino died of an accidental drug overdose. She and her husband Larry Katz pledged that they would do all they could to help prevent such a tragedy from befalling another family. Since then, Ms. Katz has given nearly 1000 presentations reaching hundreds of thousands of individuals – young people and the adults who care about them. The Courage to Speak Foundation developed drug prevention programs for elementary, middle and high school students as well as parents through Courage to Speak – Courageous Parenting 101®. Ms. Katz also has authored a new book called Sunny’s Story. A book for children of all ages; parents, grandparents, teachers, and others.
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Drug Prevention Education Video

2025-12-05T03:56:16-05:00

Drug Prevention Education Video Below is a 6-minute preview of the drug prevention education video that can be purchased by clicking on the "add to cart" link provided. The Courage to Speak® Presentation Video (Preview) The Courage to Speak Drug Prevention Education Video is a wonderful resource for teaching kids about the danger of drugs, because preventing tragedy in schools and communities is a priority shared by all. Since 1996, Ginger Katz has presented to hundreds of thousands of people in elementary, middle & high schools, colleges, parent groups as well as conferences and other forums. [...]

Drug Prevention Education Video2025-12-05T03:56:16-05:00

Where to Find Help: Drug Prevention and Misuse Resources

2025-12-05T02:53:36-05:00

National/International Drug Prevention and Misuse Organizations NIDA: National Institute on Drug Abuse - www.nida.nih.gov SAMHSA: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration - https://www.samhsa.gov/ The Courage to Speak® Foundation, Inc. - http://www.couragetospeak.org/ Policy Information - www.ibhinc.org Drug Free America Foundation - www.dfaf.org Resources for Students and Teachers - backtoschool.drugabuse.gov Center for Disease Control - www.CDC.gov National Institute on Drug Abuse - www.drugabuse.gov National Inhalant Prevention Coalition - www.inhalants.org Monitoring the Future - www.monitoringthefuture.org Al-Anon/Alateen - www.al-anon.alateen.org Alcoholics Anonymous - www.aa.org Wellness, Recovery & Self-Discovery Naranon, Support Group - http://www.naranonctma.org/ Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services - https://www.ct.gov/dmhas/site/default.asp [...]

Where to Find Help: Drug Prevention and Misuse Resources2025-12-05T02:53:36-05:00

Courage to Speak® – Guide to Today’s Drug Terms

2025-12-05T02:57:22-05:00

Know What Your Kids Are Talking About With This Guide to Today's Drug Terms Is your teen robotripping on CCC? How would you know if you don't even know what that means? "It's very important that parents brush up on ... slang, because just like with text messaging, kids use all these abbreviations and parents don't know what they mean. But the more they understand what these things mean, the more they will be able to monitor kids' behavior," says Gregory Pollock, a psychotherapist specializing in addiction at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Ohio. That's why WebMD went [...]

Courage to Speak® – Guide to Today’s Drug Terms2025-12-05T02:57:22-05:00

Courage to Speak – Most Common Excuses of Drug Misuse

2025-12-05T02:20:52-05:00

Here Are Some of the Most Frequently Used Excuses of Drug Misuse I was keeping/holding it for a friend. A drink got spilled on me I just took a sip - I didn't know it had alcohol in it. That smell is my new incense. All my friends are doing it. It's only alcohol - at least I don't smoke dope. It's only marijuana - at least I don't do hard drugs. I just tried it once and I'll never do it again. It's normal to experiment when you're a teenager. My eyes are bothering me - I [...]

Courage to Speak – Most Common Excuses of Drug Misuse2025-12-05T02:20:52-05:00

Courage to Speak – Partners

2019-08-24T16:47:21-04:00

We Save Lives - the Leading Voice for Highway Safety, educating and influencing the public about the 3D’s; Drunk, Drugged, and Distracted driving. We promote responsible driving. As a representative voice on highway safety issues, We Save Lives works at the national, state and local levels utilizing policy development, targeted advocacy, outreach and educational efforts to change driving behavior.   http://www.wesavelives.org National Institute of Drug Abuse - NIDA's mission is to lead the Nation in bringing the power of science to bear on drug abuse and addiction. http://www.nida.nih.gov Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Center for [...]

Courage to Speak – Partners2019-08-24T16:47:21-04:00

Brian’s Story

2021-01-21T22:07:50-05:00

Brian's Story Next month will be 3 years since the death of my son Brian who was only 19 years old. I still feel this strongly about how it feels to lose a child. For me, it doesn’t get any easier. I just learn to live with the pain. Brian was a high honor student who in his senior year started smoking pot. We didn't know because he never showed any signs of using drugs. One year later while attending college to become a Meteorologist, he was abusing Xanax and pain meds. That's when we really began to see [...]

Brian’s Story2021-01-21T22:07:50-05:00

Jon’s Story

2021-01-21T22:10:55-05:00

Jonathan P. Champigny 5/24/82-12/31/07 I'm Jon. I'm an addict. I'm stubborn and have become a slave to my disease. During my stay at MASAC, I've learned I'm sick and can't do it my way. I need to ask for help and seek long term treatment. Goodbye Heroin and Cocaine. Up until this point you've told me where to go, what to do, and who to hang out with. You've managed to get me involved with numerous court cases and taken over the real person I used to be. You've made me constantly chase you around. Sometimes it took [...]

Jon’s Story2021-01-21T22:10:55-05:00

Jovon’s Story

2021-01-21T22:14:30-05:00

Jovon's Story "My drug use started with Ecstasy at the age of 18. I had it all, a good job, nice car, I was in college, had a close relationship with my family, an incredible girlfriend and an incredible daughter. I could not ask for anything more. At the age of 22, everything started slipping. I lost everything and mostly everyone. I let drugs be my priority for a long time. I lost focus of what was important. I turned into a person I never wanted to associate or to be with. I lost everything" J.M.B I lost [...]

Jovon’s Story2021-01-21T22:14:30-05:00

Ian’s Story

2022-02-08T00:41:53-05:00

Ian James Eaccarino Ian Eaccarino On September 10, 1996, I awoke to every mother’s nightmare. I found my 20– year–old son Ian dead in his bed of an accidental heroin and valium overdose. Ian James Eaccarino was a promising college student with everything to live for. He was bright, athletic, popular, and handsome. He was dearly loved by his family and by his many friends. Drugs destroyed his life. Ian started using tobacco and marijuana in the eighth grade. He was in denial about the problem, minimizing it as so many young people do. I was unaware that [...]

Ian’s Story2022-02-08T00:41:53-05:00

In Their Own Words

2019-10-28T02:32:41-04:00

After viewing the Drug Prevention Presentation, students are asked to reflect upon their experience on the dangers of drug abuse and the drug abuse prevention presentation. Here are letters from students about the Drug Prevention Education Presentation. Dear Mrs. Katz, Losing a loved one, due to drugs, can be very hard. I have not experienced that yet, and I don't plan to anytime soon. When you talked to us about Ian's story, I never really thought about how bad this situation can be. I used to think about people dying due to old age, or car crashes, but [...]

In Their Own Words2019-10-28T02:32:41-04:00
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The Courage to Speak Foundation

144 East Ave Suite #200
Norwalk, CT 06851

Phone:
Office (203) 831-9700

Fax: (203) 831-9800

Web: Courage to Speak Foundation

Learn more about Courage to Speak® substance use prevention education programs and curriculum for Elementary, Middle, and High School students.

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