The AIDS and Substance Abuse Speakers Network (ASASN) was founded in 1990 by Lee Kearney while she was living in Cobb County. In 1983, Kearney began volunteer work in the area of substance abuse and in 1989 she became a counselor for the Anchor Hospital/Talbott-Marsh Recovery Campus in Atlanta. Her interest in helping the AIDS community came about because her son, Kevin Kearney, suffered with AIDS and substance abuse. She began to volunteer with AID Atlanta as a speaker in 1987, which led her to found ASASN, a nonprofit organization, in 1990. Kearney earned a master's degree in psychology in 1991 at UWG. For the first three years of the organization's existence, it was based out of Kearney's home. The organization would gradually attract many speakers who had been affected by HIV/AIDS and/or drug abuse. In 1993, the year Kevin Kearney died, the ASASN obtained its first grant and opened an office in Atlanta on West Peachtree Street.

The purpose of ASASN was to obtain speakers connected with HIV/AIDS and/or drug abuse and have them speak to the public about their personal experiences, as well as provide facts on risky behaviors in order to further the prevention of the AIDS epidemic. ASASN talks were conducted at multiple schools, universities, and clinics across the north Georgia area, as well as regional locations. Audiences included various groups ranging from middle school students to current addicts seeking counseling. Through their involvement within the community, many people would be educated on risky behaviors and the likelihood of contacting the HIV/AIDS epidemic or other sexually transmitted illnesses. ASASN was involved in the AIDS community in Atlanta, participating in World AIDS Day, the AIDS Walk, the Jim Howell Park Project, and the Braves "Stepping Up to the Plate with PWA's."

By 2010, Kearney had published a book about her experiences with her son's illness and death, and her work with the organization. At that time, she disbanded ASASN. Kearney lives in Waleska, Georgia.