Pamela's Story - Mothers In Grief Support Group

Pamela’s Story

ORIGIN STORY

Pamela Smith Founder & Executive Director

Pamela Smith was born and raised in Fresno, California. She graduated from McLane High School in 1977 and then earned an Associate’s Degree in Paralegal Studies from Fresno City College. Pamela served on the FCC Paralegal Advisory Board for several years and was employed as the Senior Paralegal and Office Manager for 20 years for the Law Office of Dean B. Gordon, who specialized in employment law and personal injury.

Pamela Smith’s only child, Jackson Smith, died of a counterfeit OxyContin laced with Fentanyl on July 3, 2016, at the age of 22.

Pamela’s involvement in combating the Fentanyl and Opioid Crisis includes the following:

Volunteer and Work Experience:

2018 to 2019: Volunteer for PAIN | Parents & Addicts In Need
2020 to 2024: Operations Director for PAIN | Parents & Addicts In Need
2024: Secretary & Treasurer of Fentanyl Anonymous
2024: Founder & Executive Director of Mothers In Grief Support Group
2024: Secretary and Treasurer for Mothers In Grief Support Group Board of Directors

Policy and Lobbying Efforts and Speaking Engagements:

2018: Testified in the California State Assembly Public Safety Committee on AB 2467, written by Assemblyman Jim Patterson – https://fb.watch/r1UvH6ojDJ/
2020: Appeared on Don’t Hide The Scars Podcast regarding the death of her son, Jackson Smith
2022: Panelist on the televised KMPH 26 Town Hall Meeting, Fentanyl: Crisis In The Valley – https://fb.watch/r1UsCviiCG/
2023: Testified in the California State Assembly Public Safety Committee on AB 1058, written by Assemblyman Jim Patterson
2023: Testified in the California State Senate Public Safety Committee on SB 325, written by Senator Shannon Grove
2023: Speaker at the DEA National Family Summit on Fentanyl Awareness
2023: Spoke at Assemblyman Jim Patterson Press Conference regarding California State Public Safety Committee’s refusal to hear new Fentanyl legislation – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czgLw_kAsbg
2023: Spoke at the California Republican Caucus Press Conference held on California State Capitol grounds in Sacramento regarding Public Safety Committee’s refusal to hear new Fentanyl legislation
2023: Appeared on the nationally televised program, Fox & Friends, regarding California State Legislature’s unwillingness to hear new Fentanyl legislation – https://www.foxnews.com/video/6323507633112

Media Interviews:

2018: Interviewed by The Business Journal regarding Fresno County joining Madera and Tulare Counties in suing Big Pharma – https://thebusinessjournal.com/madera-tulare-counties-sue-big-pharma-fresno-weighs-its-options/
2020 to 2023: Interviewed by various local news stations on the dangers of Fentanyl
2021: Interviewed by ABC30 Action News regarding the dangers of Fentanyl – https://thebusinessjournal.com/madera-tulare-counties-sue-big-pharma-fresno-weighs-its-options/
2022: Filmed PSA on the dangers of Fentanyl by Fresno County Department of Public Health – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gw37HwkOVvE
2023: Interviewed by Associated Press (AP) regarding California State Public Safety Committee’s refusal to hear new Fentanyl legislation – https://toronto.citynews.ca/2023/04/27/punishment-or-prevention-california-debates-fentanyl-crisis/
2023: Interviewed by The Epoch Times regarding California State Public Safety Committee’s refusal to hear new Fentanyl legislation – https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/california-kills-series-of-bills-increasing-sentencing-for-fentanyl-dealers-5164804
2023: Interviewed by Channel 30 Action News regarding California State Public Safety Committee’s refusal to hear new Fentanyl legislation
2024: Interviewed by ABC30 Action News regarding getting Narcan in every classroom of Clovis Unified School District –

Lifesaving Narcan Awareness Campaign:

2020: Developed Narcan and Fentanyl Training program for PAIN | Parents & Addicts In Need
2020 to 2024: Facilitated many Fentanyl and Narcan trainings throughout the Central Valley
2020 to 2024: Distributed over 10,000 units of Narcan in the Central Valley

Executive Producer:

2019: Executive Producer for Don’t Hide The Scars Project documentary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSvr7tVKiC0

Board Member:

2019 to 2024: Secretary and Treasurer for PAIN | Parents & Addicts In Need Board of Directors
2024: Secretary and Treasurer for Fentanyl Anonymous Board of Directors
2024: Founder & Executive Director for Mothers In Grief Support Group Board of Directors

Founder and CEO:

2024: Founder and CEO for Mothers In Grief Support Group