Jon Kesty, whose daughter died from a drug overdose, looks on as Dean Malanga shares his
own story of struggling with a substance misuse disorder. (Melissa Proulx/Union Leader
Correspondent)
Pembroke holds forum to discuss opioid awareness
By MELISSA PROULX
Union Leader Correspondent
PEMBROKE — The last game of Sumner “Summie” Kesty’s basketball career was her best
ever.
The high school junior scored 19 baskets that day while playing for the Bishop Brady High
School girls’ varsity team. She had been catching the eye of college recruiters since she was
a freshman and though she didn’t continue with the sport, she found equal success as a
graphic designer.
Oct. 19 marked four years since she died of a drug overdose.
“She overdosed in her bedroom with her dog by her side,” said her dad, Jon Kesty, on
Monday.
Jon Kesty gave a presentation on opioid awareness for community members at the
Pembroke Public Safety Building on Monday. He was joined by Dean Malanga, a New Jersey
native who is now 15 months in recovery.
Malanga, 26, had been suffering from substance misuse since he was in high school, starting
with alcohol before becoming addicted to heroin. Though he knew what he was doing was
wrong, Malanga said his wakeup call came years later in a jail cell in Newark, N.J., after he
overdosed while driving and was involved in a head-on collision.
“I never thought I would be that person,” Malanga said. “I can look back on my past and I
can see red flags, I can see warning signs that I have that type of personality.”
For Kesty, his intention for the presentation was to both educate about the epidemic New
England is facing, as well as erase the stigma surrounding the issue.
At least 240 people have died from drug overdoses in the state this year, according to the
latest data from the state’s chief medical examiner. The majority of those deaths have been
from opiates and opioids, such as heroin and fentanyl.
Jay Bachelder, the intervention and prevention counselor at Pembroke Academy, said this
awareness can be vital, especially when it comes to prevention for students.
“We in Pembroke, believe it or not, are at an advantage to have somebody in that school
dealing with that issue,” he said.
While his is a full-time permanent position, others with a similar job might be temporary
because of grant funding or have the position shared with multiple schools or districts.
Even with this resource, Bachelder echoed the concerns of many at the meeting who called
for more prevention in the schools, particularly at a younger age.
Kesty said he’s also trying to continue education in the communities he’s spoken to. He’s
working on a peer recovery coach program that would allow students to work with their
classmates who are struggling with substance misuse disorders.
The individual would be trained during a one-time, six-hour course to identify those in need
and help them connect with an adult advisor to get treatment.
“We’re just putting it together at this point,” he said.
Until then, he and Malanga will keep talking to communities to continually raise awareness
about the issue.
“It’s part of Dean’s recovery, it’s part of my recovery from losing my daughter,” Kesty said.