Hidden in Plain Sight

Raising a teenager has its own unique set of challenges. When Sandy Mattingly lost her son, she channeled all her energy into helping raise awareness about teenage drug use. With the help of Sneade's Ace Home Center, she has been able to get the word out.

Both Sandy and her son Chase worked at Sneade's Ace Home Center in Calvert County, Maryland. After her son graduated school, Sandy left her job at Sneade's, but she kept close ties with the store. When Chase died of a Fentanyl overdose at age 21, Sandy reached out to her friends at Ace, who welcomed her back and gave her the support she needed.

"She is somebody that you would follow anywhere, because she's passionate, she has a heart of gold, and she has a love for everybody," said Dana Sneade Banyasz, Sneade's Ace Director of Operations. "When tragedy hit her, you would think that it would change her, but it didn't."

"After I lost my son, I came back to work for Sneade's," said Sandy. "They welcomed me back with open arms. And once again I was with family."

Sandy was overwhelmed with emotions, and she channeled all her strength into research and activism for teenage drug use awareness. She created a nonprofit organization called Positive Vibes with a mission to increase awareness and get the word out about teenage drug use. The organization helps educate parents, empower youth, and promote hope and recovery.

In her research, Sandy discovered that the DEA had a display in a trailer that looked like a teenager's bedroom, but it was only for in-house use. Sandy got to work and built on the idea. She gathered a bunch of items from Chase's old bedroom and helped create the "Hidden in Plain Sight" exhibit.

"It allows parents to come in and do a scavenger hunt and test their skills to see if they can find the signs of risky teenage behavior," said Sandy. "Parents can see if they can find drugs hidden throughout the bedroom. If you have a suspicion, do it, before it's too late."

In addition to the Hidden in Plain Sight exhibit, Sandy has partnered with Sneade's Ace on several programs designed to shatter stigma and encourage parents to learn about substance abuse. On International Overdose Awareness Day, Sneade's distributes purple flower bulbs to customers. They also light up the store with purple light bulbs, joining the colorful display all over town buildings and houses.

Sandy also organized the This Is Me Color Run Blast. The event was started to bring families together with their children and to help them focus on being healthy and happy and substance free. Sneade's Ace helps by donating materials and funds.

"We're going to do it. We're going to make change," said Sandy. "So parents, reach out."