MAPDA Mom of the Month Christina Patera
Families deserve accurate information before they are faced with a crisis. Prevention is not simply telling our children that drugs are dangerous.
For My Daughters, For Every Family
I am honored to be recognized as MAPDA’s Mom of the Month. I am usually working behind the scenes, helping support the work and mission of MAPDA, so having the opportunity to share why this work matters so much to me is very special.
I am a mother of three daughters, one in high school, one in middle school, and one in elementary school. They are my everything and a huge part of why I believe so strongly in prevention and education. As a mother, I know I cannot protect my children from every situation they may encounter. What I can do is make sure they understand the dangers of fentanyl and substance abuse and, just as importantly, that they are equipped with the knowledge and resources to respond if they or someone around them is ever faced with these dangers.
I am also nearing the end of my graduate program in social work and currently completing my final practicum at a private practice. Previously, I completed my practicum at Community Bridges, a nonprofit serving individuals struggling with substance use and behavioral health challenges. That experience allowed me to see firsthand how deeply substance abuse can affect individuals and the people who love them. It strengthened my passion for helping those who are struggling while also working to prevent families from experiencing these devastating consequences in the first place.
This is why MAPDA’s mission is so important to me. Families deserve accurate information before they are faced with a crisis. Prevention is not simply telling our children that drugs are dangerous. It is giving them the knowledge and tools to make safer decisions, recognize dangerous situations, respond appropriately, and know where to turn for help.
My daughters will always be at the heart of why I do this work, but my hope extends far beyond my own family. I want to help make sure the next family has the knowledge and resources they need before they need them. If greater awareness, education, and preparation can help prevent another family from experiencing the devastating effects of substance abuse, then this work is worth everything we put into it.