Spotlight On Maryland - Love In The Trenches

"On this week’s episode of Spotlight On Maryland, we spoke with Kelly Gill, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Love In The Trenches. This incredible organization offers support groups, recovery resources, private peer counseling and education to parents of those who suffer with substance use disorder and to individuals who have lost a child or sibling to this disease. Love in the Trenches was founded by Kelly Gill and Shawn Nocher, who were both dealing with their son’s battles with substance use disorder. Shawn’s son found recovery and sadly, Kelly’s son died from a fatal Fentanyl overdose. Both Kelly and Shawn understand the sleepless nights, fractured family relationships, fear, blame, and shame that come with addiction. This program has reached people around the world.

LITT’s Undo the OD campaign is working to equip local bars, restaurants, college campuses, and other gathering spaces with Naloxone nasal spray, more commonly known as Narcan. You can find information on how to request Narcan HERE. LITT provides Naloxone free of charge and trains people to appropriately administer it. Undo the OD empowers management and staff to actively save a life even before EMS arrive. Naloxone is a safe drug that has saved thousands of lives. Similar to carrying an EpiPen or having an AED on site, carrying Naloxone is a preventative measure that keeps our community members safe. It does not harm or put the carrier at risk and has the power to save a life.

Throughout our conversation, Kelly emphasizes the importance of love; she doesn’t see an addict, she sees someone’s child. Not everyone who suffers from the disease of addiction will be fortunate enough to find recovery, but love must remain at the core of the relationship because addiction is a disease that feeds on isolation. Listen to our discussion below, follow them on Instagram, and support Love in the Trenches HERE."

Listen to the full discussion here.