About Us
Founded by Melissa Etheridge and friends, the Etheridge Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
Our mission is to support groundbreaking scientific research into effective new treatments for opioid use disorder.
We partner with and support organizations that:
Develop plant- and nature-based treatments outside the current pharmaceutical norms;
Consider and treat mental health issues in conjunction with substance use disorders; and
Work to find new answers and access for people suffering from the devastating effects of opioid use disorder.
Our Story
The Etheridge Foundation was created in response to a tragedy: a deeply personal devastation for Melissa and her family, but one that is also heartbreakingly widespread through families in the US today.
On May 13, 2020, Melissa’s family lost her son Beckett from causes related to opioid addiction. He was only 21 years old.
Pain, Struggle, and Loss
Beckett had an incredible sense of humor and was also very sensitive – to people, to life, and to the injustices in life.
As a teenager, Beckett was prescribed painkillers after he broke his ankle while training to become a pro snowboarder.
The highly addictive nature of prescription opioids led Beckett to substance abuse, as is the case for so many people.
While Melissa and the family supported Beckett into treatment, multiple times, even with access to the “best” facilities, conventional treatments failed him.
An Outpouring of Love
Amongst the indescribable pain of Beckett’s death, there was an immediate outpouring of love and compassion from Melissa’s fans.
Her supporters started an online fundraising campaign, organized by Etheridge Nation Fan Liaison Tracy Albright, to buy Melissa a memorial bench for her garden.
However, donation levels quickly soared past the cost of the bench. More than 1300 people donated a total of more than $50,000.
Grief to Determination
In the midst of tremendous grief, Melissa considered how to best honor these gifts.
Inside herself, she found determination.
To change the broken addiction treatment system that had failed Beckett, and continues to fail so many.
To make available better, more effective solutions for people to truly heal their opioid use disorder.
To advance treatment approaches that address the root causes of opioid abuse – including the mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects.
And from her own powerful experiences with plant medicines – as well as increasing new research – Melissa knew that nature-based therapies could be that transformative medicine.
Determination to Hope
From this fire inside Melissa – of love, determination, and hope – the Etheridge Foundation was created.
We’re deeply grateful to our supporters, who have held Beckett in love every step of the way.
With you, we are committed to advancing transformative plant medicine treatment resources for people struggling with opioid use disorder.