Brooke Monk

About Brooke Monk

Benzodiazepine Information Coalition is a non-profit organization that advocates for greater understanding of the potentially devastating effects of commonly prescribed benzodiazepines such as Xanax, Ativan, Valium, and Klonopin, as well as prevention of patient injury through medical recognition, informed consent, and education.We are a group of patients and medical professionals who believe the over-prescription of benzodiazepines without proper warning has resulted in a growing national epidemic of benzodiazepine injury. While we understand and respect the value of these drugs when used appropriately, deep and widespread ignorance of their risks on the part of patients and prescribers has caused enormous and preventable suffering. Because benzodiazepine-injury often does not fit common preconceptions about “side effects,” its victims all too often suffer for years in silence, shame, and confusion.Our advocacy is informed by our members’ personal experience, the scientific literature, and input from an advisory board comprised of physicians and other medical and mental health professionals.In the summer of 2016, members of the benzodiazepine-impacted community and allied medical professionals formed the Coalition as a U.S. non-profit organization dedicated to advocating awareness and reform around the dangers of benzodiazepines. They were moved to action by years of watching benzodiazepine-injury support groups grow in membership by the thousands without any corresponding increase in attention from the public or medical community. As of January 2019, memberships across online benzodiazepine support groups totaled more than and climbing. With 94 million benzodiazepine prescriptions written every year in the U.S. alone, we expect this crisis to only deepen unless action is taken.

Experience

1. General Advisory Board

   Benzodiazepine Information Coalition

   Jan 2017 — Present · Houston, TX, US