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12 <br /> Page 1 of 2 Christie Barker-Cummings <br /> Volunteer Application <br /> Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions <br /> Name: Dr. Christie Barker-Cummings <br /> Name Called: <br /> Home Address: 601 Everglades Dr. <br /> Mebane NC 27302 <br /> Phone: 919-717-2682 <br /> Email: christieleebc@gmail.com <br /> Year of OC Residence: 2007 <br /> Township of Residence: Cheeks <br /> Zone of Residence: Town of Mebane City Limits <br /> Gender Identity: Female <br /> Ethnic Background: White <br /> Age Range: 35-59 <br /> Community Activities/Organizational Memberships: <br /> I am currently a member of the Orange Partnership for Alcohol and Drug Free Youth, and <br /> am being nominated for a lived-experience position on their Board. I am participating in <br /> the Healthy Carolinians (CHIP) 2025 community coalition and on the Behavioral Health <br /> subgroup. <br /> Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards: <br /> None to date <br /> Boards/Commissions applied for: <br /> Opioid Advisory Committee <br /> Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board <br /> I am a mother with lived experience. My family has resided in Orange County since 2007 and my <br /> son, Kevin Cummings, developed SUD at age 16 and died of an overdose in 2018 in <br /> Hillsborough at age 18. 1 lived the agony of trying to find appropriate medical care and social <br /> support, the lack of adolescent treatment options in NC, and the impact of my ignorance at the <br /> time. I am also an epidemiologist and have thirty years experience in population health and <br /> disease research. <br /> Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board <br /> I want to serve my community and help to prevent other families from the fear, anxiety, pain, and <br /> loss that accompanies Substance Use Disorder. I hope to join our county in continuing to <br /> improve access to harm reduction measures and naloxone, humane and lifesaving MAT, re- <br /> entry and recovery resources, community support and compassion, opportunities for <br /> employment and peer-mentoring, and early intervention for at risk youth. <br /> How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints? <br /> I believe I would bring the unique perspective of a parent with lived experience with a child with <br /> mental illness (GAD) and SUD who eventually died of an overdose at a very young age -there <br /> are so many other stories like that of Kevin s/my family. I learned so much and so many of my <br /> assumptions were shattered in the years of Kevin s addiction, death, and aftermath. I don t <br />