Meet Deb

Deb Beckwith is a passionate motivational, anti-substance use speaker. Her decades of successful sales and marketing work with Fortune 50 company Georgia-Pacific Corporation and Home Base, Inc. combined with her years in home education helped prepare her for the dynamic work she never planned to do.

In November of 2004 the unspeakable happened…Deb’s oldest daughter Shae, who struggled for years with cold medication addiction, finally died in her sleep… a result of her abuse.

Since 2005 Deb has worked with California State Universities, various law enforcement agencies as well as local & state officials to bring awareness to the growing epidemic of over-the-counter and other legal drug use by children and teens.

In early 2008 she responded to overwhelming requests for presentations and founded the S.H.A.E. Project. (Sharing Honest Adolescent Education) in an effort to bring current, relevant legal drug and alcohol abuse information to help students, families and communities.

Research with L.A County coroner’s office led to the beginning of the educational work Deb now does. From small parent groups to large scale conferences, Deb’s life work is to encourage people to become educated and make better decisions.

Deb’s philosophy is, “I can’t prevent “using” by a student who is bent on it, but I can affect the ones who “might use” because they believe these substances are safe!”

Deb’s passion and conviction for honest education has drawn her into the public eye, boardrooms and into the classroom. Youth respond to her honesty and the realities of her truth as she invites them into dialog.

Interest in this reality based speaker format has gained momentuem and garnered support from California Congresswoman Mary Bono-Mack, State of California Alcohol and Drug Programs -Director Rene Zito, Riverside County 3rd District Supervisor Jeff Stone, countless credentialed teachers as well as parent organizations.