09/14/2026
Today marks 6 years since we lost Siena “Sadie” E. Bott to a fentanyl overdose.
Six years without a daughter.
Six years without a sister for Dylan.
Six years without a friend.
Six years without an amazing light who left this world far too soon.
Siena’s life should have been so much longer. Her story should have had so many more chapters. But, out of unimaginable heartbreak came a mission. One created not only to honor her memory, but to help protect others from experiencing this same devastating loss.
The Stop the Judgment Project was born from the belief that education, compassion, and understanding can save lives. Our mission is to bring awareness to the stigma and judgment associated with mental health disorders and substance use disorders in adolescents and young adults, while replacing judgment with empathy and opening the door to honest conversations.
Addiction and mental health do not discriminate. A single decision, a moment of vulnerability, or a drug that contains something someone never knew was there can change a family forever. We believe young people deserve the truth, not fear-based messages, but real education about what drugs can do to their brains, their bodies, their choices, and their futures.
We do this because we never want another family to wake up to the phone call, the empty bedroom, the unbearable silence, or the realization that their loved one is never coming home.
As our founder, Sherry Jo Matt, says:
“We hope to prevent other parents and families from having to experience the pain that is in our hearts every time we open our eyes.”
Six years later, we carry Siena with us in our hearts, in our work, and in every conversation we have with a young person.
For Siena. For every family. For the lives we still have the power to save.
We will continue to Stop the Judgment. Start the Conversation. Save Lives.
