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Delaware Couple Leads 13-Year Fight Against Addiction After Son's Overdose Death
The Keisters founded atTAcK Addiction to expand prevention and recovery resources in Delaware.
Published on Feb. 9, 2026
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After their son Tyler died from an overdose in 2012, the Keister family co-founded the nonprofit atTAcK Addiction to expand addiction prevention and recovery resources in Delaware. Over the past 13 years, the organization has helped pass over 10 pieces of legislation, provided recovery housing, and hosted community events to reduce stigma around substance use disorder.
Why it matters
The Keister family's story highlights the devastating impact of the opioid crisis and the critical need for comprehensive addiction treatment and recovery services. Their advocacy work has helped make important policy changes and increase access to life-saving resources in Delaware, which has seen over 4,500 overdose deaths since 2013.
The details
In the years following their son's death, the Keisters focused atTAcK Addiction's efforts on two key areas: providing stable recovery housing and advocating for policy reform. The organization started by renting properties to house people in recovery, then later purchased five of their own recovery homes across the state. Alongside this housing work, the Keisters pushed for over 10 pieces of legislation, including the 9/11 Good Samaritan law and a bill to increase access to naloxone, a medication that reverses opioid overdoses. The nonprofit also hosted community events to reduce stigma around substance use disorder.
- Tyler Keister died from an overdose in December 2012.
- atTAcK Addiction was founded in 2013.
- In 2024, Delaware recorded its first major decline in overdose deaths in over a decade, dropping from 527 deaths in 2023 to 338 in 2024.
The players
Tyler Keister
The Keisters' son who died from an overdose in 2012, leading his parents to co-found atTAcK Addiction.
atTAcK Addiction
A nonprofit organization founded by the Keister family in 2013 to expand addiction prevention and recovery resources in Delaware.
Impact Life
A nonprofit partner that recently took over two of the recovery homes previously owned by atTAcK Addiction.
What they’re saying
“We felt that we needed some place for folks in recovery to go, to live, and so that they could [live] in a drug-free situation where they could recover. So, we felt it was important to try to get some housing.”
— Keister (whyy.org)
“Another one was the naloxone bill. We were about the 17th state to have naloxone available to individuals … it has made a difference. It is something that reverses opioids and it is something that has saved a lot of lives.”
— Keister (whyy.org)
What’s next
The Keisters plan to continue their advocacy work, pushing for additional legislation and policies to support addiction prevention and recovery in Delaware.
The takeaway
The Keister family's story demonstrates the power of personal tragedy to drive meaningful change. Through their nonprofit atTAcK Addiction, they have made a significant impact in Delaware, helping pass life-saving legislation, provide recovery housing, and reduce stigma around substance use disorder.
