Who We Are
OVOM Europe
Renée Besseling
Chair
She founded the Association for a Drug-Free Society in the Netherlands in 1988 and has since played a leading role in the field of drug prevention. She was the co-founder and President of Europe Against Drugs (EURAD) and previously served as Chair of Swedish Immigrants Against Drugs.
With more than 40 years of experience in drug policy and prevention, she has been an active participant in national and international debates on drug-related issues.
She is the co-author of the fact-based study material Khat: A Drug of Growing Abuse, which highlights the risks of khat use. In addition, she has written numerous articles and authored the book Parents: A Natural Preventive Against Drugs: The Dutch Experience, emphasizing the vital role of parents in prevention.
Through her leadership, publications and advocacy work, she has made a valuable contribution to raising awareness and promoting education on drug prevention, as well as advocating for a restrictive drug policy, both in the Netherlands and internationally.
Tiny Tol-Kes
Board Member
With nearly three decades of experience in addressing addiction within families, she is an indispensable force within our organization. As the main point of contact for parents, she offers support, guidance, and a listening ear.
In addition to her role on the board, she is actively involved in Brave Mothers Netherlands, both locally and nationally. She organizes meetings, lectures, and information sessions, specifically aimed at students aged 11 12 and their parents, contributing to early awareness and prevention.
Her commitment also extends beyond the organization: every week she writes a regional newspaper column, sharing insights, stories, and practical advice to encourage open dialogue about addiction and to help break taboos.
Her commitment also extends beyond the organization: every week she writes a regional newspaper column, sharing insights, stories, and practical advice to encourage open dialogue about addiction and to help break taboos.
OVOM Oceania
Gary Christian
Vice chair and Head of the Scientific Committee.
Gary’s background has predominantly been in the Australian welfare sector, working in centre management thence senior management in Australia’s largest noon-denominational charity, Mission Australia, as well as being the national Director for ADRA Australia. These roles involved setting up of dozens of new welfare centres, including a drug counselling centre in Cabramatta, the then heroin capital of Australia, as well as a teen drug rehabilitation centre. The latter role included management of 6 women’s refuges, among many other programs, where the role of cannabis in causing domestic violence became highly evident. Gary is retired but also President of Drug Free Australia.
Josephine (Jo) Baxter
Coordinator - Youth Prevention Influencer Program
Jo is an educator with over 20 years’ experience in drug prevention programs. These include mobile programs in middle schools in Australia, seminars for teachers and a role as National Director for Education and Training at Life Education Australia. Jo has also worked in Odyssey House, Victoria, (Australia) in Community Liaison, sharing ‘lived experience’ accounts of people who are involved in drug rehabilitation.
As CEO of Drug Free Australia, Jo has worked at Australian Federal Government level on two Advisory Committees.
She is passionate about working in communities at all levels including government, families and youth organisations. Currently she is an international board member of the Rotary Action Group for Addiction Prevention, with a role in expanding the Youth Prevention Influencer training opportunities for young people. This will link young minds and expertise into the annual United National Commission on Narcotic drugs.
OVOM Africa
Eze Eluchie, Esq.
Secretary and Head of its Legal Committee.
With over three decades’ experience as an Attorney, attaining specialization in Health Law, Mr. Eluchie who has presented at diverse global substance abuse forums, deployed litigation, research and advocacy as tools to advance drug abuse prevention, has served on the Board of diverse international organizations such as World Federation Against Drugs (WFAD), Framework Convention on Global Health Alliance (FCGHA), and presently serves as President of the West African Network of CSO on Substance Abuse (WANCSA).
Florence Onsando
Board Member, and Head of the Prevention Committee
Florence is a counseling psychologist, educator, and mental health advocate. She is the Co-founder and Director of Turningpoint Counselling Solutions, Kenya, and President of the World Woman’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU), Kenya Chapter. A certified teen substance abuse interventionist and Trainer of Trainers, Florence is passionate about prevention, fostering healthy relationships, and reducing conflict. She has spearheaded initiatives such as anti-bullying campaigns, peer mentoring programs, and conflict resolution workshops. She to champion community-based mental health initiatives with a special focus on drug prevention and building resilience across generations.
OVOM Asia
Tony Parbudi
Board member, and Head of the Economy Committee.
After working through multinational financial institutions, Tony Parbudi contributed his spare time working with an anti-narcotics movement in 2008, responsible in international relations. His first step was to revitalize the organization's website to open up the communication with the entire world. The organization became more active in conducting interventions, prevention campaigns, and even building technical collaborations with like-minded organizations in the international community. Currently, Parbudi remains active as an advisor to the Anti-Drug Foundation in Papua, co-founding OVOM while maintaining his membership in WFAD. Most recently, Parbudi was involved in the formation of the Asia-Pacific Anti-Drug Confederation.
OVOM USA
Stephanie Haynes
Council member and Assistant Secretary
