How it Started
Our Values
Education
Equipping individuals, families, and organizations with knowledge on current drug trends in our communities by partnering with local professionals such as Houston HIDTA, the District Attorney’s office, forensic scientists and Substance Use Disorder professionals.
Awareness
We host community and small group events to raise awareness about the current drug epidemic, share vital resources for combating substance use disorder, and work to break the stigma—saving lives in the process
Prevention
We provide free life saving Narcan® and training along with free medicine deactivation kits to keep your homes safe from prescriptions and over the counter medicines getting diverted.
Remembrance
Honoring the lives lost to overdose through initiatives like The Texas Memorial Walkway™, ensuring their stories are never forgotten.
Become a Volunteer
Become a volunteer and help support awareness, prevention, education and remembrance in our community!
Our Founders: Moms United for Change
M-COPE was founded by four courageous mothers who turned their personal tragedies into a powerful mission to prevent overdose deaths and support families affected by substance use disorder. Their journey began with a shared loss and a determination to bring awareness, education, and community advocacy to Montgomery County, Texas. Through their unwavering dedication, M-COPE has grown into a vital community resource. Together, this organization continues to fight for change, ensuring that no family has to navigate the challenges of substance use disorder alone.
Our Stories
Founder, Board Member, Graphic Artist, Website Moderator, Media Contact, Speaker & Narcan® Training
Hi, I’m Sarah
I lost my son Ethan on August 24, 2020. He was 22 years old. My precious baby was gone and my world was shattered.
After several months of barely being able to function, a friend suggested GRASP. I found our local chapter and joined; I knew I needed support to navigate these un-chartered waters. The stigma of losing a child to substance use was very evident at the beginning; things are said and friends become scarce. No one knows what to say to you!
At GRASP, I met a very special group of ladies; the same that you see here on our Board of Directors. In one of our conversations after a meeting, we all decided we wanted to do something more, something to help our community, and in the process raise awareness, and reduce stigma. We wanted to let families like us know what resources are available to them in Montgomery County.
Montgomery County Overdose Prevention Endeavor (M-Cope) was born!
At M-Cope I serve on the Board of Directors, am the graphic creator, website moderator and chair our outreach events for the community.
By day I work in accounting, at night I work on my photography and graphics company. I currently reside in Conroe, Texas with my husband, Kenny, along with 8 horses, 5 mini donkeys, 10 dogs and 7 barn cats. We have three other children; Hunter, Kimberly and Katlin who are all grown and live away from home.
My goal is to be able to support others in the community, and to bring awareness to the drug epidemic in our area. Hopefully, maybe I can keep other Mothers from having to go through the same experience as me.
Out of difficulties grow miracles
– Jean de la Bruyere
Founder, Board Member, Volunteer Coordinator, Social Media, Fundraising & Donations Chair, Speaker & Narcan® Training
My name is Kim, and I lost my son, Stephen, on October 22, 2019, at the age of 24. He was my youngest child, and his passing changed my life forever.
Navigating the loss of a child—especially due to Substance Use Disorder—was incredibly difficult. At times, it took everything I had just to get through each day, sometimes even each moment. I quickly realized that I needed to connect with others who truly understood the depth of this loss.
Through Grasp (Grief Recovery After Substance Passing), I found a community that shared my unique grief. I discovered that I was not alone. Sadly, far too many lives are lost to substance use, but within this group, I found understanding without the guilt, shame, or stigma that often accompanies this type of loss.
Losing a child is an unimaginable hardship. Witnessing the struggles my son faced during his addiction—and seeing the profound impact his loss had on my surviving children—drove me to take action. Alongside three other mothers who also lost their sons, we formed M-Cope, an organization dedicated to raising awareness, reducing stigma, providing education, and creating a space to remember those we have lost to this devastating disease.
I currently reside in Spring, Texas, and am grateful to have my two adult children, Andrew and Brandi, living nearby. I hold a Master’s Degree in Health Administration and have spent over 30 years in leadership within Revenue Cycle at a local children’s hospital. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, spending time with my grandchildren, and caring for my dogs.
My mission is to support others navigating this difficult journey, raise awareness, and break the stigma surrounding addiction. Most importantly, I want to ensure that my beloved Stephen—and all those who have lost their lives to addiction—are never forgotten.
Founder, Board Member, Sponsor & Resource Coordinator, School & Community Event Coordinator, Chair of The Texas Memorial Walkway™, Social Media, Speaker & Narcan® Trainer
Hi, I’m Kathy
I lost my son Josh on May 2, 2017, at the age of 23. He was the oldest of 2 boys and in an instant my youngest became an only child and our family was left with a devastating loss and a broken heart that will never fully mend.
A couple days after Josh passed, a friend gave me the book “When a Child Dies from Drugs: Practical help for Parents in Bereavement”. From that I learned about a national non-profit organization called GRASP (Grief Recovery After Substance Passing) and followed their Facebook page. Although I was surrounded by supportive friends, no one can truly understand the pain of losing a child or any loved one to substance use if they haven’t experienced it firsthand. We considered ourselves an average family until suddenly we spent 5 years in the most unimaginable scenarios constantly afraid for our child’s life.
After going to an in-person GRASP meeting in Houston, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and start and facilitate a chapter in The Woodlands. The first meeting was in March of 2020, and we had 17 people in attendance! Since that time, we’ve had a steady number of people attend the bi-monthly meetings.
From this GRASP group, 4 Mothers came together and decided we couldn’t let the loss of our boys be in vain. We chose to start M-COPE and hold annual events to bring Prevention, Education, Awareness and Remembrance to our community and to try to prevent as many people as we could from enduring the loss we have felt.
My husband and I are enjoying retirement and in my spare time I play A LOT of tennis, work in the garden, cook and cheer on the Astros! We have an adult son, Chris, and a daughter-in-law, Andrea and our first grandson on the way. Andrea is a Pediatric Nurse and Chris is completing his Doctorate as a CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist) in the St. Louis area. We also keep busy with our rescue Sheltie, Pepper.
My goal through M-COPE is to bring attention to this increasing drug epidemic, educate students and parents on the most current drug information and to provide events to help families get needed information to navigate their journey and to let people know that they are NOT ALONE!
Founder
Hi, I’m Sherry
I lost my son, Chance on February 13th, 2019. He was 29 years old. He missed his 30th Birthday by 5 months and 1 day. I’ve always heard, as many of you have, that there’s no greater loss than a child. I always believed that to be true but was not prepared for the immense pain that enveloped me and continues to this day.
I tried many different groups and counselors but didn’t feel that they were a good fit. The shame and stigmas continue to set our loved one’s death apart from others. Some think that they are at fault and they want to live this life but who would ever choose the life of an addict?
I’m not sure who suggested that I go to GRASP but I was there for the very first meeting. I cried each time someone spoke of their loss. Not only did I feel their pain but bits of my story was also in theirs. When it came to my time I couldn’t get the words out and passed but I knew this was where I belonged. I can honestly say that GRASP may have saved my life. If not, it did help to deal with the despair and guilt I felt.
I grew up with addiction in my family including one stepfather with alcohol and two sisters and a niece with narcotics. I never dreamed that my child would pass away. I always felt that their would be time to heal our relationship and with one phone call it was all gone forever. I wanted to blame Mental Illness which I have since learned normally accompanies addiction. It was much easier than admitting my son was an addict. Those words are still hard.
I work nights as an RN in one of the Texas prisons where daily I see the devastation left by drugs. I have worked in Corrections for 23 years at several different units and in 3 states. I have two beautiful daughters, Lexie and Chelsea. They have blessed me with five wonderful grandchildren.
I’m thankful that I was asked to be one of the Admins for M-COPE. It has been an honor to work with these ladies. I’m praying that we can make a difference and keep others from enduring the heartache that comes with losing a loved one to this horrible disease. I feel that in this endeavor I am honoring my beloved son Chance and that he is proud of me. Or at least I hope he is.
Thank you,
SBarton, RN
Luther Unit