Ken, an alumnus of Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, shares his incredible journey through substance abuse. His story is one of loss, triumph, kindness, and empowerment. Through his talk, Ken teaches us the value of lifting others up, so that they may lift themselves. Ken Dickinson went to pharmacy school, much like many who attend USciences. Unfortunately, he fell victim to the disease of substance-abuse disorder, and spiraled into thirteen years of a disease that afflicts an increasing number of patients in communities around America. But Ken’s story has a happy ending, and perhaps an ending with a profound message that could help us see the truth, that substance use is a disease and not a choice. In his time with the disease, Ken reached out to resources such as therapists to get better, and despite making that choice to get better, “he did not breathe one sober breath” in all the thirteen years he suffered. It was not he who failed himself, it was the healthcare system, and society that failed him. After recovering, Ken started SARPH, an organization dedicated to helping pharmacists struggling with substance use disorders to recoverl while maintaining their license, and today has a 97% compliance rate. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at
Ken, an alumnus of Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, shares his incredible journey through substance abuse. His story is one of loss, triumph, kindness, and empowerment. Through his talk, Ken teaches us the value of lifting others up, so that they may lift themselves. Ken Dickinson went to pharmacy school, much like many who attend USciences. Unfortunately, he fell victim to the disease of substance-abuse disorder, and spiraled into thirteen years of a disease that afflicts an increasing number of patients in communities around America. But Ken’s story has a happy ending, and perhaps an ending with a profound message that could help us see the truth, that substance use is a disease and not a choice. In his time with the disease, Ken reached out to resources such as therapists to get better, and despite making that choice to get better, “he did not breathe one sober breath” in all the thirteen years he suffered. It was not he who failed himself, it was the healthcare system, and society that failed him. After recovering, Ken started SARPH, an organization dedicated to helping pharmacists struggling with substance use disorders to recoverl while maintaining their license, and today has a 97% compliance rate. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at
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