Jeffrey Veatch presents
A Message from Justin
This father’s powerful message about his 17 year old son who died after snorting heroin is changing the attitudes and habits of young people.
Jeffrey Veatch was a network news writer for 40 plus years and won a National Writers’ Guild Award in 2007. In September 2008, Veatch’s life took a drastic turn when his 17 year old son, Justin, on the verge of recording his first music album, died after snorting a small amount of heroin. In honor of Justin, the Veatch family created the non-profit Justin Veatch Fund which awards scholarships and creates programs for musically talented teens. Veatch also created a multi-media talk which tells Justin’s story in a very personal way, inspiring young people to take better care of themselves and their friends.
Jeffrey Veatch has presented his forty minute multimedia talk A Message from Justin to more than sixty thousand students. The talk tells Justin’s story and is particularly relevant to 13 to 18 year olds and their parents. Mr. Veatch discusses what happened to Justin and how young people can take better care of themselves and watch out for their friends. In addition, he offers advice on how facing adversity can be used as a tool for the good of all. The fees for Mr. Veatch’s appearances, less expenses, go entirely to The Justin Veatch Fund for its programs and scholarships.
“Justin’s story is a compelling presentation for high school students and their parents, that leaves the audience realizing that a drug overdose can happen in any family, that prevention and early intervention are key, and that friends never want to feel that they might have been able to do something to save a life, but didn’t.”
- Ellen Morehouse
Director and Substance Abuse Prevention Expert, Student Assistance Services Corporation
About the Multimedia Talk
Award winning network news writer Jeffrey Veatch’s multimedia presentation discusses how his life changed immeasurably when the national opioid crisis touched his family.
Veatch’s 40-minute talk tells the story of his 17 year old son, whose bright future was cut short by an accidental drug overdose in 2008.
A Message From Justin is inspiring thousands of young people across the country to take better care of themselves and their friends.
Book Jeffrey Veatch
for your School or Community
Dr. Josephy V. Erardi, Jr., Superintendent of Schools, Newtown, CT Public Schools
“…I just want to make sure you know how powerful, appropriate, and timely your message was for both parents and students. Thank you for your strength and courage to stand and deliver.”
“You bring such a powerful and timely message: ANYONE can have a problem with drugs. Adults and students can relate to your story. In the several presentations I attended I was impressed with your ability to connect with the students.”
Elise Spinelli, Bridges Prevention/Education, Oneida, NY
“Jeffrey delivers from the heart with the elegance and style of a true professional. His presentation captivates hearts and takes audiences on a beautiful journey that leaves them inspired and informed.”
Luke Dean Niforatos, Chief of Staff & Sr. Policy Advisor, Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM)
“Mr. Veatch's presentation had a powerful and profound impact on our entire student body...His message of prevention came through loud and clear and it was evident that his words resonated very deeply with our students.”
Lisa Bechtel, Student Assistance Counselor, Newton High School, Newton, NJ
“Your presentation is wonderful. It’s very moving and so gentle and loving that it catches people off guard and makes them think about what you’re saying. One attendee stopped me a few days later with tears (seriously) and told me how moved she was.”
Ruth Stein, Committee Chair, Duncan Littlefair Great Speakers Series, Grand Rapids, MI
“I love thinking about the impact you’ve had on so many students. They really do take in every word and will hopefully carry the message you’ve shared with them for the rest of their lives. Justin’s story touches my heart and the fact that you help others by spreading the word is an amazing feat.”
Judy Gothelf, Lazar Middle School, Montville, NJ
Appearances
HIGH SCHOOLS
Somers High School, Somers, NY
Canastota High School, Canastota, NY
Madison High School, Madison, NY
DeRuyter High School, DeRuyter, NY
Stockbridge Valley High School, Munnsville, NY
Hamilton High School, Hamilton, NY
Chittenango High School, Chittenango, NY
Madison BOCES, Verona, NY
Ulster BOCES, Port Ewen,NY
Storm King School, Cornwall on Hudson, NY
Newtown High School, Newtown, CT
Ellenville High School, Ellenville, NY
Poland Central High School, Herkimer County, NY
Frankfurt-Schuyer High School, Herkimer County, NY
Dolgeville High School, Herkimer County, NY
Sleepy Hollow High School, Tarrytown, NY
Division Avenue High School, Levittown, NY
The Masters School, Dobbs Ferry, NY
Rye High School, Rye, NY
Nyack High School, Nyack, NY
Staples High School, Westport, CT
Newtown High School, Newtown, CT
John Jay High School, Cross River, NY
Wamogo High School, Litchfield, CT
New Milford High School, New Milford, CT
Fox Meadow High School, Yorktown, NY
Half Hollow Hills High School, Dix Hills, NY
Newfield High School, Selden, NY
Lakeland High Scholl, Yorktown, NY
Pleasantville High School, Pleasantville, NY
Bayshore High School, Islip, NY
Ardsley High School, Ardsley, NY
Irvington High School, Irvington, NY
Newton High School, Newton, NJ
MIDDLE SCHOOLS
Eisenhower Middle School, Wycoff, NJ
Franklin Avenue Middle School, Franklin Lakes, NJ
Lazar Middle School, Montville, NJ
Fieldstone Middle School, Montvale, NJ
Valley View Middle School, Watchung, NJ
Pleasantville Middle School, Pleasantville, NY
Brewster Middle School, Brewster, NY
OTHER EVENTS
Herkimer Community College, Herkimer County, NY
Arms Acres Group Sessions, Carmel, NY
Duncan Littlefair Great Speakers Series, Grand Rapids, MI
Save a Life Forum, Yorktown, NY
The SAM Summit, Atlanta, GA
Peekskill Rotary Club, Peekskill, NY
Gefilte Festival, Temple Israel, Croton on Hudson, NY
The Harrison Forum, Harrison, NY
Ossining Library Documentary Series, Ossining, NY
National Honor Society, Yorktown High School, Yorktown, NY
White Plains Public Library, White Plains, NY
Portchester Family University, Portchester, NY
Cortlandt Forum, Cortlandt, NY
SADD Regional Luncheon, Tarrytown, NY
BOCES Regional Crisis Team Showcase, Yorktown, NY
Student Assistance Services Inc. Showcase, Tarrytown, NY
Peekskill Youth Council Summer Camp, Peekskill, NY
