From Student Leader to Drug Dealer

"Joe, I'm going to jail." Thus began the painful journey of Raphael Saler; a fraternity man turned elementary school teacher, and Joe Bertolino, his friend and former Greek Advisor. Their lives were forever changed and friendships tested when Raph became addicted to drugs, dealt to support his habit, was arrested, convicted and went to prison. Joe agonized over the "signs" he missed and how he could help Raph. Together Joe and Raph share their powerful story of addiction, recovery, jail, friendship and hope. From Raph's conviction to Joe's prison visits, they share important information on the facts about drug use and current laws. More importantly, they teach the realities of drug use: there are no friends in the drug world.

Joe and Raph had the audience captivated and wide-eyed with their experience. The message was very clear; it could happen to any of them. It was an excellent learning experience that made the students think about the consequences of doing drugs; not only for what it does to you as a person, but for how it affects everyone around you.

Susan Heim
Director of Student Activities,
New York Institute of Technology

Joe Bertolino is currently the Vice President for Student Life and Chair of the Department of Student Personnel at Queens College in New York City. He is active in the American College Personnel Association, the Association of Fraternity Advisors, the College Student Personnel Association of New York, and the National Association for Campus Activities. Author, lecturer, and teacher, Joe has presented more than 350 programs at more than 200 colleges and conferences. He earned a B.S. from the University of Scranton, and a M.S.W. from Rutgers University. He received a Doctorate at Columbia University, Teacher's College. In his spare time, he serves as National Vice President for Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity.

Raphael Saler is a brother of Pi Lambda Phi Fraternity. He received a degree in education from East Stroudsburg University. Before his arrest, Raph taught elementary school and spent his spare time coaching children's soccer. Unfortunately, Raph lost his teaching license as well as the opportunity to coach because of his drug conviction. He now lives with his wife and their daughter in San Francisco. He currently works as a construction worker. He hopes this program will educate students about the realities of drug use and abuse as well as help others avoid making the same mistake he made.