Doug Ballinger

About Doug Ballinger

Doug Ballinger is an activist, advocate, and grieving father who turned personal tragedy into a mission for change. After losing his son to the opioid crisis, Doug committed his life to raising awareness about the systemic roots of substance use disorder, particularly the overlooked role of mental health. He believes that to truly stem the opioid epidemic, we must address the demand, not just fight the supply. Doug advocates for proactive mental wellness support, especially for young people and for grieving parents, so they don't fall into their own cycles of substance use in the aftermath of trauma. Through public speaking, advocacy, and education, he works to shift the conversation from blame to healing, fighting for a future where mental health care is seen as essential prevention, not an afterthought.