Save the Michaels of the World, Inc. was established in June of 2011 as a small kitchen roundtable action group, to bring attention and awareness of the devastating effects of opioid medications after the death by suicide of 20 year old Michael David Israel.

Avi and Julie Israel decided they didn’t want to see other families suffer the loss of a loved one. The journey started with an interview with a Buffalo News reporter who told Michael’s story. That story got more attention from TV stations. Doctors, patients, parents and the population as a whole are not aware of the danger of opiate addiction. We wanted to find a way to address the overprescribing of pain medications such as hydrocodone and others.
 

Recovery Coach
Save the Michaels Buffalo

Philip joined Save the Michaels in 2024 as a Recovery Coach in Buffalo.

"I work here, at Save the Michaels, for many reasons. But most importantly...I work here because seven years ago, Save the Michaels helped me realize that I was not only capable of living a successful life in recovery, but that I deserved it!  Save the Michaels gave me a chance and helped me begin my journey and a new life.  Now I can help others who may not realize that they, too, deserve the American dream...whatever that may mean to them.  At Save the Michaels, we offer hope and a second chance at life.  One we didn't even know we wanted."




 

‘Narcan — it gives people a second chance’: New Narcan vending machine to save lives 

https://www.wkbw.com/news/local-news/northtowns/narcan-it-gives-people-a-second-chance-new-narcan-vending-machine-to-save-lives

There is a new way of fighting the drug overdose epidemic to save lives. A Narcan vending machine is now installed outside the Kenmore Fire Department.