News Anchor Drew Scott Vows To Shatter Stigma Of Heroin, Opioid Addiction

EAST HAMPTON, NY —Drew Scott, longtime News 12 anchor and reporter, who retired recently and announced that he will dedicate his time to raising awareness about the deadly opioid epidemic that claimed the life of his beautiful granddaughter Hallie — Hallie Ulrich, 22, was found dead on an East Hampton road in September after a battle with heroin addiction — has begun his crusade to shed a light on the stigma of addiction.

The Long Island Community Foundation asked Scott to speak in Melville Friday with a panel of experts at the Long Island Association's health, education and not for profit committee's discussion on "The Impact of the Opioid Crisis."

The event, held at the LIA headquarters, is only for members, Scott said; the panel was slated to discuss the opioid crisis and its impact on the business community, the economy and the region.

"A couple of us representing the Long Island Community Foundation are holding this function to try to convince business leaders to invest more money here for treatment, rehab facilities, anti-drug education, etc," Scott said. "So many of these business groups are willing to commit money to cancer, AIDS, heart disease — but they seem to be reluctant to get involved in fighting the opioid crisis."

Scott had pledged to tell Hallie's story and spotlight how important it is not to allow the stigma surrounding heroin and opioid addiction cloud the dire need for funding.

Scott is also co-chairing a new Southampton Opioid Addiction Task Force.

Scott left his former post after Hallie's death, promising to raise awareness in her name and memory.

Faced with tremendous grief, Hallie's family has shared the memories of her vibrant life, remembering her artistic gifts and creativity at a memorial on the beach in Sag Harbor.

Scott also shared memories of his granddaughter, who left behind a twin sister named Ellison.

"Hallie was the quiet twin who loved hooping, painting and art," Scott said. "The few months before her death, she worked at 'Behind The Fence' Gallery in Southampton, arranging displays and painting some of the figurines."

Rich memories offer comfort during this dark time, as Scott shared recollections of the girl who touched countless lives with her bright smile and caring spirit.

"Last winter, Hallie stayed with my daughter in Vermont and bonded with her three-year old; she was very gentle — and the baby loved her and kept asking for her after her death," he said.

Another story her family was told involved a parrot in a cage, Scott said.

"Hallie loved animals, was a vegetarian and complained that the parrot shouldn't be caged," he said. "The owner said no, and she told us that was 'unacceptable!' She began teaching the parrot to say the word, and to this day there is a parrot somewhere on the East End that keeps saying 'unacceptable.'"

Since the time she was a little girl, Scott said, his granddaughter was a bright spot of joy in the lives of the many she touched with her shining spirit.

"She would often message me or call me when she saw me anchoring on News 12, and she would always show respect and love for her grandmother and me," he said.

He added that Hallie helped her grandmother Vivian, a breast cancer survivor, to walk, and often stayed behind to tend to her.

Fighting addiction in Hallie's memory

Scott said he plans to dedicate his days to helping others struggling with addiction.

On Friday, he said, "I'll be carrying Hallie's picture and trying to put a personal 'face' on this growing epidemic," Scott said. "There is a stigma to opiate deaths. Many families are embarrassed and hide the fact that their kid is addicted or, God forbid, died. I want to change that. This is a disease, and when youngsters are afflicted with cancer or other physical problems, people want to help, but seem to shy away many times when the problem turns out to be addiction."

Photos courtesy Drew Scott; lead photo of his granddaughter Hallie as a little girl.