January 29, 2021 — Today at the Advisory Council on Problem Gambling's Legislative Workgroup, received critique by Group Six Partners of two state agencies demonstrating ignorance of problem gambling in their public protection duties over the past year: the Nevada Gaming Commission and the Department of Health and Human Services. Product
Suicide, overdose, addictive disorders, and trauma are all on the rise. Now advocates need to decide if they are willing to be long-term allies with legislators who already support them.
January 29, 2021 — Today at the Advisory Council on Problem Gambling's Legislative Workgroup, received critique by Group Six Partners of two state agencies demonstrating ignorance of problem gambling in their public protection duties over the past year: the Nevada Gaming Commission and the Department of Health and Human Services. Product
Quantic’s MBA Accredited
School of Business and Technology Executive Master of Business Administration (MBA)
I’m in my 28th week, more than half way, toward the Executive MBA at Quantic School of Business and Technology. In a couple of weeks, I’ll join my fellow students in Copenhagen Denmark for a second conference.
When I started this journey, it’s name was Smartly and it was unaccredited. Today it’s Quantic ... and accredited. So the MBA I earn will be the same as everyone else’s. But I don’t really care (well I care lots actually). Some people gave me sass because the program was not accredited. Whatever!
In Nevada I’ve seen lawyers, dentists, and now physicians educated at yet-to-be accredited programs. The only thing missing is the brand recognition. But how cool is it to build that? Ironically, I never sought the MBA degree, but I was looking for something to study, really for pleasure (I am a nerd). Online Distance education made the most sense because of my schedule and running my own company. My experience with another program left me sad. It required loads of reading and barfing. There was no connection to the material or the experience. Then some analytics connected me to Smartly.
From application, acceptance, to accreditation, I’ve found my Quantic study surprising at every turn. The curriculum is brilliantly delivered via an app. It’s also hard! An accounting group project via slack with people I’ve never met before - was hard (we aced it though).
So far we’ve studied, Accounting 🧾 Statistics - Economics, ... Wait, that’s a boat load of math! Math with symbols and stuff. Yikes. I never thought I’d learn any of that stuff.
I find relevance in everything we study. My business skills help me become literate on a whole new level with my work. I have so many more ways to analyze stuff. And I even went to DC for a conference to see if the network was real.
Surprised again, I found MY people. Smart mid-career professionals looking for “something” but not sure what - something that will increase options in the future. During the conference the number of times I said, “Me too!” was shocking.
They told us how selective they were choosing the cohorts. They clued is in that their algorithm knows how we’re doing. Only a little scary - but that’s modern life man. Their rationale - to sustain quality in an innovative delivery method, they needed students to complete and go on and do good stuff.
Quantics method was valuable when I took the free foundations course. The price was right even if I didn’t get an award.
At this point in my life and career, I don’t NEED the degree, I’m more interested in the knowledge, skill, and experience. Accreditation is a bonus. But I’m very proud to be part of Quantic. I’m up to the challenge to go and do good stuff- carry a good name. I know how hard they worked for this designation - and from what I can tell of the rigors of this program - well deserved.
I’ll be happy to show off my fully accredited MBA in August. Boo yah 💥
February 6, 2020 - The Nevada Legislative Commission today revised a regulation allowing "drug abuse" as grounds for denial of a professional license. Senator Joe Hardy noted that "drug abuse" is not current terminology pressing "substance use disorder" as the proper term. Further, Assembly Bill 367 - passed in 2019 - requires person-first language to be used in all Nevada laws, rules, and regulations. The person-first language is considered to be less stigmatizing. This raw edit clip of the commission shows how a stigmatizing language like "drug abuse", "addict", and the like will be eventually purged from all Nevada laws.
AB 367 was Sponsored by Assemblymembers Steve Yeager (D), Krasner (R), and Munk (D) and Senator Pickard (R), passed unanimously and signed into law by Governor Steve Sisolak (D), effective July 1, 2019.
Group Six supported this legislation, writing about its reasoning here (“Problems with People, People with Problems”). Trey Delap, Director commented:
“AB367 is literally the most sweeping piece of legislation passed in the 80th Session.”
Delap continues, “The law applies to those who actually write it. Through codification, every mention will be replaced with person-first language. Today [‘s commission action] proves the efficacy of this method of advocacy; stigma will be purged from every law and [emphasis added] every reg[ulation].”
Group Six holds the position that the first step in addressing the addiction crisis in Nevada is to call it out for what it is. “Then see if the substance of the law is working against you. We can fix the law easier than we can people’s attitudes.” Delap added. “It’s days like today that will have a lasting impact [on stigma], because we are actively having the conversation each time it comes up, eventually we won’t need to anymore.”, Delap concluded.
You can learn more about AB367 by watching this legislative hearing: Assembly Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections.
“AB367 is literally the most sweeping piece of legislation passed in the 80th Session.”
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
...to ensure that persons affected by addictive disorders are referred to in Nevada Revised Statutes using language that is commonly viewed as respectful and sentence structure that refers to the person before referring to his or her disorder...
This act becomes effective on July 1, 2019.
This is not that kind of story. The story of this state’s addiction epidemic starts and ends in this paragraph. I’ve heard them, over and over again. I’m empathetic, and I admire and honor those who braved stigma to tell their stories and share their tears. And for many, that’s where it goes, into an endless cycle of sorrow. And for some in that cycle, what we have accomplished here will rob them of their cross, their thunderous roar against injustice.
Because now, we have reversed the injustice in the law. Now the wheels turn forthe person affected or afflicted by addiction. Because now, the law recognizes our core humanity first and foremost. From now on, we will stand on equal footing before the judge. And each of those stories is now more powerful, in orienting our communities to the incredible value of recovery.
And I am NOT sorry about that at all.
Every day a Nevada family loses someone to addiction. If we want to help, first we have to call it what it is. How much does it matter what they were addicted to if all addictions were treated the same before the law? That’s why this law is a critical first step.
On May 24, 2019, the Nevada Legislature unanimously approved Assembly Bill 367 (AB367), purging Nevada’s Revised Statutes and Administrative Code of stigmatizing language for people with addiction. Words like “Drug Addict,” “Alcoholic,” “Drug abuser,” “Problem gambler.” Instead, Nevada’s law will use first person language like "person with an addictive disorder.” This person first language focuses on the person with the problem, rather than the problem with the person.
Nevada is the fourth state to enact revision language in this manner: Maine, Rhode Island, and Washington have each passed similar legislation.
First, these words are both more inclusive and precise. Addiction and recovery occur in many forms. Too often, addiction focused on the object of the addiction, like drugs or alcohol. This leads to a disparate view of the impact of addiction on individuals, families, and communities. Suggesting that the substanceor action is the problem, and thus addressing the substanceor activity should remedy the addiction.
This approach led to the “Just say No” concept. It also led to the criminalization of the substance or the impact of the action. However, the problem with this approach is that a person with alcohol use disorder (AUD) is treated very differently than someone with substance use disorder (SUD) or addictive disorder related to gambling or any other non-substance addictive disorder.
Consider the different crimes and penalties associated with substance addictions. Alcohol is available everywhere and a revenue generator for the government. Yet, it has the highest rate of addiction. It’s not illegal to possess alcohol (unless you are a minor).
However, the possession of heroin, cocaine, or meth, are serious crimes. Anyone caught in possession of these substances has committed a crime regardless of whether or not they are addicted to them. The government may offer assistance with addiction to these substances, but the crimes remain.
In Nevada, gambling is legal (like most states if one considers lotteries). A person addicted to gambling may never come in contact with the law unless a crime was committed in support of gambling. In this case, the action is irrelevant from the crimes - even though the addiction is a legitimate mitigating factor. Additionally, the impact on individuals, families, and communities is the same.
When someone is evaluated by a professional or considering their own experience with the use of substances or behaviors, the level of impact on the person’s life, family, and ability to cope with daily living is considered. Most people can drink, gamble, or take prescribed medications without developing an addiction. Some can’t, and the course of the addiction will cost them, their families, employers, and our communities considerably in terms of money and talent lost.
Regardless of the object of the addiction, with this new person-centered language, alladdictions will be treated equally under the law.And it is indeed the hope that the afflicted will be given a chance at recovery.
Since the law will treat all addictive disorders the same, recovery from these will be accessible to more people. If public resources are targeted to those with substance use disorders exclusively, then all of those with other addictive disorders are denied access to those resources. By rephrasing the law, these resources will be made available to everyone with any type of addictive disorder, this expands opportunities for recovery to more people.
Think of the word “abuse.” When someone “abuses” something, they hurt it, it doesn’t hurt them. So, when someone is described as being a substance or alcohol abuser, it literally means they are harming the substance. This is why, over time, professionals and people in recovery revised the terminology to describe the issue more precisely. Some people use substances in a way that causes compounding harm in their lives. The substance itself is working, and unharmed when this happens.
Maine, Rhode Island, and Washington have each passed laws revising their state laws to refer to a person with addictive disorders. Nevada will be the fourth, and others will likely follow suit.
This is so important to the people of each of these states because this person first language will orient the whole of the state government towards addressing the person with the problem, rather than the problem with the person. It may seem like a small thing, but it is really huge.
In Nevada, for example, the statutory definition of “Drug Addict” will be revised. According to NRS 458.290, a judge determines if someone is a "drug addict." This means that lawyers could argue before the judge in making this determination.
Now with the new language, the adversarial legal process considering these words will be focused on the “person” with an addictive disorder. This reminds everyone involved that they are actual people, not problems. Using person-first language represents a paradigm shift for the entire system, including the person with the addictive disorder.
For decades, the government believed it could scare the addictive behavior out of people. And for decades this has failed. In fact, most people believe that people in recovery from addiction are valuable to their communities and families.
It’s important to note that this new language DOES NOT, nor is it intended to limit the ability of the government to protect its citizens. Crimes will still be dealt with, and public safety will always be considered paramount. But this language will distinguish the offense from the condition, increasing more equal treatment by the law in all cases.
The most valuable piece of this legislation, and why it is so crucial in Nevada is addressing the real issue head on. Many people, including lawmakers, want to help people struggling with addiction, but they don’t know what to do or where to start. This is the same for people with addiction, they want help, but they don’t know what to do or where to start. The stigma around these issues is so strong that no one feels safe talking about it.
With this new language, Nevada is being very clear about establishing a foundation for how it will help its citizens who are impacted by addiction. By first, valuing and remembering that the law is intended to help people, not dispose of them. The ripple effect of these revisions will impact every law and rule crafted by all agencies of government. Government and citizens will need to continue to have the discussion on how to help people with addictive disorders, but the first step has been completed…..speaking in the truth about what addiction is and how recovery can start.
It’s a good day in the Sagebrush State.
Trey Delap, M.A.is Director of Group Six Partners, LLC. During the 80thSession of the Nevada Legislature, he lobbied to remove barriers to recovery from addiction. He considers AB367 the "Stigma Bill," to be one of the most important passed this session.
Group Six Partners is delighted to announce it's silver sponsorship of this years Nevada Recovery Awards, "The Power of Community", presented by the Foundation for Recovery.
Foundation for Recovery has been recognizing significant contributions to Nevada's recovery community since it was founded in 2005. This is the first year Group Six Partners has engaged as a silver sponsor for this event.
“We are well aware of the problems of addiction. Let’s move forward with solutions”, said Trey Delap, Director of Group Six. “Our goal is to demonstrate the value of recovery [from addiction and serious mental illness] to Nevada communities. Foundation for Recovery’s Awards does exactly that”, Delap concluded.”
In addition to recognizing recovery community achievement, this event will feature John Shinholser, President of the McShin Foundation as the keynote speaker. Shinholser is a pioneering leader in the recovery community organization movement.
For more information on the event visit: Foundation for Recovery or contact trey@goupsixpartners.com.
Tonight Nevada Advocates UNITED to support bringing and sustaining recovery support to our state ahead of the national rally and hill advocacy day.
We were delighted to meet and visit with Shaaren Pine, Scott Magnuson, and their daughter Ara, owners of, "The Argonaut", and authors of "Torn Together". Their memoir outlines a tragic trifecta: restoring a burned down restaurant, a family being dissolved by the acid of alcoholism, and codependency.
Today in recovery; their business is resorted, their family is whole again, and they are leaders in the local Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce.
Additionally, they founded Restaurant Recovery, an organization devoted to supporting restaurant employees (and those affected) struggling with addiction. And to, bring awareness to the high rate of addiction in that industry.
They were frank and authentic, giving much credit to the progressive attitudes of their community. But their strength and courage in telling their story inspires.
When the veil of silence is lifted, addicts become visible. By sharing their story they become vocal, and the new trifecta emerges: Visible, Vocal, Valuable.
May we all draw from the courage of Shaaren, Scott, and Ara: To act towards the world we want to live in. To create the books, "I wished had been available when I was struggling". To run the businesses we'd want to work for. To truly adventure through life as argonauts, knowing that traversing the dangerous waters will bring us to rewarding ports of safe mooring.
On September 13th, 2014, Group Six Partners (GSP) had the pleasure of filming nearly 1000 participants and volunteers for the 8th Annual Walk in Memory, Walk for Hope Suicide Awareness event held at Bob Miller Middle School in Henderson Nevada.
With two video crew and a very general outline of the sequence of events, GSP productions captured the essence of the event from the volunteer perspective through key interviews as well as multi-angle shots. Additionally, because of favorable flying conditions, GSP was able to use our quad-copter "drone" to get incredibly sharp HD footage.
GSP was delighted to donate their time and talent to this most worthy cause consistent with our mission of supporting awareness efforts promoting positive behavioral health. The final 2 minute video is a powerful promotional and archival tool for the organizers of the event and useful to sponsors who are committed to public good. This is who we are and what we do, we are good people who work with good people to help all.
We are delighted to share this video with all for unrestricted purposes in its current form. Please contact trey@groupsixpartners.com if you'd like to alter the content in any way.
