In 2012, Bill Williams tragically lost his son, William, to a heroin overdose at age 24. At William’s memorial, Bill, alongside his wife Margot and daughter Elizabeth Hope, pledged to combat drug abuse by educating others, improving treatment, and reducing stigma. Since then, they’ve spoken at various forums and published in notable outlets, including the New York Times and Harvard Health Blog. Bill also hosts a radio show, The Kingfisher Project, as part of their ongoing commitment to honor William’s memory.
In the media
PRINT MEDIA
The New York Times
Op-Ed – Motherlode
https://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/19/ending-the-secrecy-of-a-childs-addiction/
Op-Ed – Private Lives
https://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/10/28/the-storm-inside/
Harvard Health Blog
The Ghost in the Basement
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/ghost-basement-addiction-2018011213078
What Ifs: An underappreciated side effect of addiction https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/what-ifs-an-underappreciated-side-effect-of-addiction-2018061414050
Seasons of Grief
National Institute On Drug Abuse
Nora’s Blog
Listening to The Dead
https://archives.drugabuse.gov/about-nida/noras-blog/2016/01/listening-to-dead
Freedom Institute
A Bear, A Ball, A Birthday, A Boy
http://www.freedominstitute.org/a-bear-a-ball-a-birthday-a-boy/
Birthday Trout – Parts 1 & 2
http://www.freedominstitute.org/?s=Birthday+Trout
Will’s Willow
http://www.freedominstitute.org/wills-willow/
Motherwell
To the little girl on the train whose mother is on drugs
Treatment Magazine
We Honor Our Son’s Life With an Anatomical Donation
https://treatmentmagazine.com/hope-story-family/honoring-our-sons-life-with-anatomical-donation/
Bill Williams’ Blog
Presentation to the House Caucus on Addiction Treatment
and Recovery
Remarks to Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons Class of 2017
http://billwilliamsblog.blogspot.com/2014/04/remarks-to-class-of-2017-columbia.html
TELEVISION/RADIO/PODCASTS
New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services
Learning Thursdays
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsiMV2muOJU
Monday, December 2, 2019 – “First Mondays With Bill Williams” WJFF – Radio Catskill
Interview with Congressman Antonio Delgado (D- NY 19th)
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Testimony to Senate Addiction Forum: Understanding the Science and Addressing Collateral Consequences 12/2/14
Testimony at a Congressional Briefing on Understanding the Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act 5/14/15
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3ae-f7rM7s&feature=youtu.be
Testimony at House Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic: Families Impacted by Addiction 5/18/16
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKYBcsTobTak7yD690q4s_f6SoOx9hbNb
Address at NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse – Division of NIH)
Staff Recognition Day 10/30/15
Featured Interviews
Tuesday, March 1, 2022
Interview with Dr. Carl Erik Fisher about his new book, The URGE, Our History of Addiction
Part 1
Tuesday, March 15, 2022
Interview with Dr. Carl Erik Fisher about his new book, The URGE, Our History of Addiction
Part 2
Tuesday, December 7, 2021
Interview with journalist and author Sam Quinones about his new book, The Least of Us
Part 1
Tuesday, December 21, 2021
Interview with journalist and author Sam Quinones about his new book, The Least of Us
Part 2
Monday, December 2, 2019
Interview with Congressman Antonio Delgado (D- NY 19th)
Tuesday, August 3, 2021
Interview with Maia Szalavitz, author of newly released Undoing Drugs – The Untold Story of Harm Reduction and the Future of Addiction
Part 1
Tuesday, August 10, 2021
Interview with Maia Szalavitz, author of newly released Undoing Drugs – The Untold Story of Harm Reduction and the Future of Addiction
Part 2
Tuesday, November 2, 2021
Interview with author David Poses about his new book, The Weight of Air
Part 1
Tuesday, November 9, 2021
Interview with author David Poses about his new book, The Weight of Air
Part 2