Connecting Our Communities End Stigma Campaign Launch

Join the Fayette County Connection Cafe in launching its End Stigma campaign - in-person or virtually!

For virtual registrations, please contact Kristina Mullis at [email protected].

Connect with community members and professionals in substance use prevention, treatment and recovery organizations; workforce development; law enforcement and more to discuss how we can end substance use disorder stigma.

Learn more about our featured guests:

Donald McDonald

Donald McDonald is a person thriving in recovery from severe mental and substance use disorders. Previously, Donald served as the National Field Director of Faces & Voices of Recovery, the Executive Director of Addiction Professionals of North Carolina, and the Director of Advocacy & Education at Recovery Communities of North Carolina. His current role is Technical Expert Lead at JBS International, where he provides training and technical assistance to HRSA-funded rural consortia across the country as they build capacity in response to the overdose and addiction crisis.

Donald is a veteran, husband, father, grandfather, social worker, Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist, and Recovery Coach Professional. He holds a Bachelor of Education from NC State University and a Master of Social Work from UNC Chapel Hill. Donald is a proud recipient of the NCADD Bronze Key Award and the North Carolina Attorney General’s Dogwood Award. Donald is is the producer and host of a freedom from addiction podcast, No Thanks But Yes, which features chill conversations with splendid people who’ve overcome chaotic substance relationships via many, many pathways.

Doug Huntsinger

Douglas Huntsinger serves as Executive Director for Drug Prevention, Treatment and Enforcement for the State of Indiana, and Chairman of the Indiana Commission to Combat Substance Use Disorder.As a Senior Adviser to Governor Eric J. Holcomb and a member of the Governor’s Cabinet, Douglas oversees the coordination of the Governor’s Next Level Recovery initiative, aligning and focusing the State of Indiana’s response to the drug crisis. He also serves as a member of the Justice Reinvestment Advisory Council and the Governor’s Health Workforce Council.Organizations across Indiana have recognized Douglas for his efforts. The Indiana Judges Association named him the 2021 Champion of Justice in recognition of his work supporting family recovery courts and behavioral health services for justice-involved individuals and families.Overdose Lifeline recently presented Douglas with the Policy Advocate of the Year award for his steadfast commitment to serving our most vulnerable Hoosiers and THRIVE Recovery Community Organization recognized him for his distinguished service, presenting him with the inaugural State Partner of the Year Award.

Michael Moore

Michael Moore has served as the Assistant Executive Director for the Indiana Public Defender Council since 2018. Michael has represented indigent individuals since he joined the Marion County Public Defender Agency in 1999. Michael has represented indigent individuals in criminal defense and child welfare actions including criminal appeals, major felony matters, drug charges, juvenile delinquency, and child welfare/termination of parental rights actions. From 2010 to 2013, Michael served as the supervisor for the misdemeanor division of the Marion County Public Defender Agency where he trained and mentored newly admitted attorneys. In 2013, Michael joined the Indiana Department of Education where he served as the Director of the Office of Legal Affairs. He attended McKinney School of Law in Indianapolis. Prior to graduating from law school, Michael worked as an American Sign Language Interpreter and disability advocate.

Brandon George

Brandon George is the Vice President for recovery, advocacy and programs for Mental Health America Indiana and the Director of Indiana Addiction Issues Coalition, which advocates for recovery through public policy and education. As a person in long-term recovery, Brandon dedicates his time personally and professionally to fighting addiction and promoting recovery.

While advocacy and policy are the areas that Brandon spends most of his efforts, he also has implemented a new statewide service delivery method. Brandon helped create a recovery ecosystem in Indiana that consists of over 20 recovery organizations that serve 92 counties. With a focus on reaching all communities, the network includes BIPOC, rural, and harm reduction agencies.

Brandon has consulted throughout the country on both policy and recovery infrastructure. His effort around increasing access to medications for opioid use disorder have been acknowledged widely having contributed to Johns Hopkins School of Public Health’s publication on this topic and Georgetown Law O’Neill Institute’s toolkit on MOUD in corrections.

Brandon has been used as a consultant for SAMHSA’s Opioid Response Network, the Bureau of Justice Assistance, and is a contributor to Harvard’s Law Blog. He served as a trusted advisor to the National Judicial Opioid Task Force, on the leader’s council for Legal Services Corporation (LSC) and worked with the White House for the Office of National Drug Control Policy to create model law.

Charmin Gabbard

Charmin Gabbard, Director of the Connection Café and visionary behind this ambitious project, is a perfect example of how people can change. After years of abuse, substance misuse and incarceration, Charmin came out empowered to make a difference in her hometown. Combining efforts with local and state leaders, her mission is to stop the spread of infectious disease, bring awareness to mental and substance use disorders, as well as support people in all stages of substance use and recovery. As a Certified Recovery Coach, Charmin has invested in countless lives by mentoring and developing recovery programs and by partnering with correctional facilities to support others in their recovery. Since being released from Madison Correctional Facility in 2015 with only her GED, Charmin has earned an Associate degree in Human Services and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. Additionally, Charmin has earned Certified Addiction and Drug Abuse Consultant II (CADAC II) credentials through ICAADA along with countless certifications. Charmin has formed relationships with dozens of Indiana organizations dedicated to addressing substance use disorder and is incredibly knowledgeable about local and state treatment and recovery services.

HRSA Acknowledgment

The development of these videos was supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

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