Many of the founders of prevention organizations as well as many of the foot soldiers in the war on drugs are parents who have lost children to illegal drugs or to illicit use of pharmaceuticals substances. Steven H. Steiner, Sr., is one of those bereaved parents who has become a “General” in this terrible battle. After the Oxycontin-related death of his 20 year old son, Steven H. Steiner, Jr., last year, Steven and his wife Julie formed the organization DAMMADD (Dads and Mad Moms Against Drug Dealers), and created a website that, among other things collects anonymous tips on drug dealing. We have looked at the website, www.dammmadd.org, and highly recommend it. DAMMADD is getting tremendous support from law enforcement and the media and Steven has appeared on such shows as the O’Reilly Factor with Bill O’Reilly.

(Unfortunately, West Coast media has suppressed or blacked out nearly anything having to do with prevention or prevention efforts or organizations). Below are two articles about the DAMMADD organization.

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Excerpt from the pro-drug website, DRCNet, forwarded by Judy Dinerstein of Educating Voices, Inc. and John English of Drug Watch International:

“Damned Sad — MADD Sues DAMMADD The well known organization Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has sued a less well known group, Dads and Mad Moms Against Drug Dealers (DAMMADD), for trademark infringement. MADD, the politically powerful anti-drunk driving lobby that supports tough law enforcement measures such as sobriety checkpoints and the training of Drug Recognition Experts on police forces to catch alcohol and drug-impaired drivers, contended that DAMMADD’s acronym was confusingly similar to its own.

“DAMMADD, a group created by a New York state man whose son died of a drug overdose, denied the charge. DAMMADD runs a web site that collect anonymous tips on drug dealing and claims 16 convictions from 786 tips. It has affiliations with 61 police departments in 20 states. MADD filed suit in federal court in Texas last month, but DAMMADD filed a motion this week arguing that since it has no Texas presence, the Texas federal court has no jurisdiction. MADD has three weeks to respond.

Article from DAMMADD website
Versailles Police Department Joins National Anti-Drug Effort

Versailles Chief of Police William Parker is pleased to announce the police department’s partnership with a new web-based drug enforcement effort. Dads and Mad Moms Against Drug Dealers (DAMMADD), founded by Steven H. Steiner, Sr. and his wife, Julie, after the drug overdose death of their son Steven, Jr., in 2001, accepts anonymous tips about drug activity on its website, www.dammadd.com and forwards the information to the appropriate law enforcement agencies. The Versailles Police Department is the first police department in the State of Ohio to sign-up with DAMMADD. Doing so will now assure that local drug-related tips will be funneled to the department. The Versailles Police Department joins this effort with many law enforcement agencies nationwide, including the Brewer, Maine Police Department, Broome County, New York Sheriff’s Office, Fairbanks, Alaska Police Department, and the New York State Police.
DAMMADD is also active in presenting and promoting prescription drug legislation, and its founders, Mr. and Mrs. Steiner were guests of President George W Bush at a White House Appointment of the nation’s Drug Czar In May, 2001.

According to Chief Parker, “Local businessman and fellow Rotarian Bob Epperly showed me an article that recently ran in a Darke County newspaper. The Associated Press article clearly spelled out the organization’s mission, validity, and its success. To date, 642 tips to the organization have led to 22 arrests and 10 convictions in the US.”

The Versailles Police Department is continuously looking for creative ways to provide quality police services to the community. “This is yet another avenue that citizens can use to provide their police department with information and be assured of anonymity”, Chief Parker said. “It is our sincere hope that all law enforcement agencies in Darke County and the State of Ohio will take a few minutes to access the DAMMADD website, contact Mr. Steiner, and sign-up. This unique web-based organization will serve as another creative tool In law enforcement’s fight against drug crimes.

Chief Parker will be providing the website information to the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police, The Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services, The Ohio Crime Prevention Association, The Ohio State Highway Patrol, and The Buckeye State Sheriffs Association, seeking their participation in this organization’s efforts. Anyone wishing to discuss this partnership or the organization and its website is encouraged to contact Chief Parker during regular business hours at (937) 526-3712, or Steven H. Steiner, Sr. toll-free at 866-DAMMADD (866-326-6233).

Source: Northwest Center for Health & Safety