My name is Trey Delap. I’ve called Nevada home for over thirty years.
EDUCATION
I graduated from Boulder City High School (1996) and UNLV, earning degrees in Political Science (B.A., 2001), Ethics and Policy Studies (M.A., 2007). In September of 2021, I earned an Executive M.B.A. from Quantic School of Business and Technology.
GAMBLING ADDICTION
I am also a person in long-term recovery from gambling addiction. For many people with addictions, crimes are committed - and this includes me.
At the turn of the new millennium, I was working for the Nevada State Board of Osteopathic Medicine. I became an expert in professional licensure and regulation during my time there. I built administrative systems focused on efficiency and public protection. When I started, they used a spreadsheet as a database. When I left, they were the first licensing Board in Nevada to offer online license renewals.
Sadly, what I did for the Board was overshadowed by what I did to them.
I felt a tremendous amount of pressure and stress in my job. And I turned to gambling for relief. But it didn’t work, and more gambling begets more stress, and I didn’t know what to do. So I drew lines I thought I would never cross, but those lines disappeared as my addiction progressed, and I lost control.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE – THE FELONY
I got caught, and charges were filed. I pleaded guilty and hoped that I could get help. First to address my addiction, and then to right what I had wronged. I had a few friends who helped me - and without them, I likely would have died. And here is when my recovery began.
I didn’t see the point of living because of my shame over what I had done and the fear that it would never get better. If I couldn’t find meaningful work or be active in my community – why bother? Since I was very young, I have always wanted to be part of something good. I couldn’t see anything good for me.
Those who loved me didn’t know how to help me, but then, I met people in recovery who showed me how they started their recovery. They were willing to help, and I found something good that I could be a part of, but I had to be alive to see it. They gave me hope that tomorrow could be better than today – and my life had value again.
“The truth isn't always pretty – and we need people like me who can face the brutality of undertreated mental health and addiction with compassion and big-picture solutions”
I became willing to do whatever I could to learn to control my addiction and right this wrong. I was grateful I didn’t go to prison. But having a felony conviction made getting a job nearly impossible. So I started my life over.
RECOVERY JOURNEY
In 2007, a week after I graduated with my Master’s degree, I was grateful to get a job washing dishes. In time, I got more work and eventually got a “real” job with a local nonprofit. I was so happy to use my mind and my skills again.
I realized that I had more to offer, and in 2014, I formed my own company – Group Six Partners, LLC – where I could put my education and experience to work for Nevada’s community-based nonprofits.
ADVOCACY
Eventually, the work led me to Carson City where I advocated for legislation to improve Nevada’s addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery support systems.
There is so much work to do that we need a statewide advocate focused on helping reduce the harm of addictive disorders - to inspire and support recovery. It hasn’t been the first priority of any elected official before - it needs to be – and I will be that advocate for recovery for all Nevadans.
Given a chance by the people of Nevada, I will work with whoever the people elect as their Governor, Attorney General, Judges, Senators, Assemblymembers - anyone who wants to make genuine investments in long-term sustainable mental health support.
We have been through so much the past few years – stress, anxiety, depression, and suicide are all on the rise. Our need is urgent; the time is now and we have the money to do it.