Our Founders

Addiction Education Society was founded by Chuck Johnson in 2014. He envisioned a non-profit organization that would advance the knowledge that addiction is a disease and provide information and resources on issues relating to substance addiction to adolescences.

“Knowing what I know now about the disease, I really wish I could reach back in time 45 long years ago and talk to myself in a way I could than understand and internalize, because when I was young, I though I knew everything, I thought I was invisible. “

Chuck’s passion for a future free from addiction led AES to develop two very popular prevention curricula. As of today, AES has educated over 16,000 students throughout the peninsula, in 21 schools, and over 125 teachers trained. Addiction Education Society is proud to be a part of Chuck Johnson’s profound legacy to this world.

𐠒 Charles passed away on September 21, 2021.

Dr. Alexander Stalcup, a graduate of UCSF Medical School & Whittier College, was the key contributor to the Neuroscience of Addiction program, the first and flagship curriculum of the Addiction Education Society. He was a national expert on drug abuse & addiction, board certified in pediatrics and addiction medicine, a pioneer in the medical model of addiction, and helped thousands of people and their families overcome addiction. We owe a great deal to the knowledge and expertise that Dr. Stalcup brought to AES, but it was his kind-heartedness and willingness to work with the students that made him such a fine example of human nature.

𐠒 Dr. Stalcup passed away in summer of 2022.