Scholar of Change – Jackie Kundert
Scholar of Change – Jackie Kundert Program Transcript
JACKIE KUNDERT: My name is Jackie Kundert. I'm a mother and a nurse from Monroe, Wisconsin, which is part of Green county. Monroe's population is roughly 10,000 people. And it's the largest city in Green county.
During the past five to seven years the issues of drug overdose have become popular throughout the nation. What once was a big city problem is now felt in small cities across the nation. This issue touches me greatly as I have a son who got caught up in the cycle. My son ended up on prescription pain medication, which he became very addicted to. And from there it was a short leap for him to start heroin.
What really spurred me on to try and make a difference was looking at a Wisconsin State Council of Alcohol and Drug Abuse map that showed the heroinrates in Wisconsin, but particularly, for me, in Green county. When I saw those rates it spurred something in me that made me know that I had to somehow try and make a positive impact on this community.
FEMALE SPEAKER: My son came to us when he was one year old. He started out with dope, but then he went to cocaine. So then the next step for most people is heroin.
The last time I'm not sure if it was another call for help or if it was just a mistake. I could tell that he was dead, you know, that he was brain dead.
JACKIE KUNDERT: In June, 2015 I started an organization called F.A.I.T.H., which stands for fighting addiction it takes account. And I believe it takes help not only from the addict, but also their family as well as a community.
My time at Walden University has given me the confidence to put my thoughts for battering this community into action. It has given me a base to gather data, and empowered me to begin the process of getting valuable education to the entire community. If someone could be inspired in every community across the nation to create change, together all of our small changes would make one huge change.
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