Alliance Alert: Advocacy is most powerful when it is rooted in empathy and lived experience. In his recent article, Empathy is Essential to Advocacy, Rob Kent reminds us that behind every policy debate are people and families who have lived through loss, recovery, and resilience. Their voices, often fueled by grief or direct experience, bring passion and urgency that must be met with understanding—not resistance.
Rob Kent’s long history in shaping addiction and recovery policy—both here in New York State and at the federal level—gives him a unique perspective. He previously served as General Counsel for the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy and General Counsel for the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS). His leadership has helped guide critical policies around treatment, recovery supports, and the responsible use of opioid settlement funds.
We are honored that Rob Kent will join us at the Alliance Annual Conference, where he will share insights on recent federal policy changes, what they mean for our community, and how we must respond. His perspective underscores the need to pair expertise with empathy—ensuring that our advocacy always honors the experiences of people and families most impacted.
Unbreakable! Harnessing Our Power, Building Our Resilience, Inspiring Hope and Courage
Alliance for Rights and Recovery 43rd Annual Conference
Villa Roma Resort and Conference Center | September 29-October 1, 2025
Register Today Here!
KEYNOTE: TAKING ON FEDERAL POLICY THREATS!
Congressman Paul Tonko; Paolo del Vecchio, Independent Consultant; Jennifer Mathis, Deputy Director Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law; Rob Kent, President, Kent Strategic Advisors; Angelia Smith-Wilson, Executive Director, FOR-NY, representative for Faces and Voices of Recovery. Moderator: Luke Sikinyi, Vice President for Public Policy, Alliance for Rights and Recovery
As Rob reminds us, when government actions ignore or misuse lifesaving resources, they inflict harm on those who have already suffered the deepest losses. True reform will come only when empathy is at the center of our advocacy and when we fight with the same passion as those who have lived it.
Empathy is Essential to Advocacy
By Rob Kent, Esq. | Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Weekly | August 18, 2025
I was talking to a dear friend recently who has become my brother from another mother! We met on our advocacy journeys and have worked together to make things better for folks seeking help and support with their addiction and their recovery.
I do this work for many personal and professional reasons, but not because I lost my son to addiction like my friend did! He reminded me that his son’s birthday was coming up. We talked about how his work and that of so many others has made things better for so many, how their work has saved lives, but that does not undo their loss and the memory of their loved on! My friend, and others who have lost a loved one to addiction celebrate their loved ones birthdays; they remember them on the days that they lost their battle!
Many who have lost someone they loved tell me that they work to help others so that they do not join their club! It is important that we remember that, reflect on it, and appreciate why drug policy advocacy means that much more to them!
We should also understand that when government officials take actions such as trying to divert, or not spend, opioid settlement funds, that is the equivalent of desecrating the graves of their loved ones who died from an opioid overdose, it is the ultimate form of disrespect! I have had government officials ask to me to talk to my brother about “toning down” his advocacy. My response to those requests has been a big, fat NO! I tell the government folks that instead of being caught off guard by my brother’s passion, they should try to understand where it comes from- to show empathy!
We should never forget what the advocacy of those who lost someone to addiction means to them! While we must show them empathy on those important days, we should also use that empathy to advocate as vigorously as my brother!
Rob Kent, Esq. is president of Kent Strategic Advisors, LLC. He is the former general counsel for the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy and former general counsel for the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports. Reach him at www.Kentstrategicadvisors.com