How Addiction Affects Romantic Partners

When a person becomes addicted to alcohol or drugs, it puts immense stress on loved ones around them – especially their romantic partner. An addiction has the power to encroach onto romantic relationships, shattering the trust, intimacy and comfort that was once there.
It’s completely understandable to feel frustrated, angry or saddened by a partner’s addiction.
What started out as a one-time experiment or occasional event may have evolved into a spiraling cycle of abuse. Sometimes, people aren’t aware their partner has developed an addiction.
Perhaps some of the ways their addiction harmed your relationship in the past may have included:

• Suggesting to do activities that encouraged drinking or drug use
• Having episodes of aggressive, volatile or violent behavior when they drank or used drugs
• Becoming isolated from you, their family, friends and coworkers
• Having trouble relating to you on an emotional, psychological or physical level

Even after your partner decides to get help, it’s tough to rebuild the broken bonds from destructive behaviors caused by substance abuse. But seeking treatment for an addiction might be the best decision your partner could make for your relationship.
There are several key ways you can support your partner through their recovery. It may take some patience, forgiveness and trust on your part. But in the end, your support can help them shed their toxic abuse patterns for good.
During Rehab: Your Role in Your Partner’s Recovery
Now that your partner has entered rehab, it’s okay to breathe a sigh of relief. You can feel comfort in knowing that your partner has recognized their problem and taken the first steps toward recovery.
During the first few days of inpatient rehab, contact with your partner may be limited. This is because your partner will likely be participating in a detox program that will set the course of their treatment plan. Once they finish detox, you should be able to get in touch with your partner again.
While your partner is in rehab,

• Do take part in any visitation events held by the center.
• Do keep all conversations, in person or over the phone, focused on the positives.
• Do learn everything you can about your partner’s addiction.
• Don’t become too wrapped up in your partner’s treatment process. Be sure to give your partner some space to heal on their own.
• Don’t bring up past mistakes during phone or in-person conversations.
• Don’t try to be your partner’s only source for support. Your partner likely has other family and friends who will play a part in their recovery.

Many rehabs offer counseling support for couples while their partner is in treatment. During these sessions, a counselor will help you and your partner form new ways of expressing feelings and communicating effectively. You and your partner will also learn how to identify unhealthy behaviors that may have led to your partner’s substance abuse.
Although your partner’s recovery may be at the forefront of your mind, make sure you’re taking care of yourself too. Take some time to do some activities that you enjoy, like a hobby or a sport. Treat yourself to an item you’ve wanted to purchase for a while, or buy plane tickets to visit an old friend.

After Treatment: Rebuilding the Relationship

Upon your partner’s return from rehab, it’s time to start the recovery process – not just for your partner, but for you as well. Without taking the time to lay the groundwork for your relationship’s new beginning, you and your partner are at risk for more obstacles later on.
A relationship ravaged by addiction cannot be turned around overnight. It’ll take some time before things start to feel normal again.
Mending your relationship after an addiction is 100 percent possible. Here are some ways to encourage better chances of a successful relationship recovery.

Continue to see a couples therapist in your community.
Attending sessions with a therapist can make a huge difference in you and your partner’s recovery. Your therapist will show you and your partner additional ways of communicating and handling conflicts as they arise.

Identify potential triggers that could tempt your partner to abuse substances again.
Does your partner have a family member or friend who may have encouraged their addiction? Or maybe your partner works in a stressful job environment? There are many ways your partner could succumb to a relapse after their hard work during treatment. Try to work with your partner to remove those triggers.

Come up with fun, substance-free activities you and your partner can do together.
Visit the zoo or aquarium, or get tickets to a concert or sports game for you and your partner to enjoy. Now is the time to remind each other why you fell in love in the first place.

Stay honest with each other.
Be willing to talk about the tough issues with your partner – no subject should be off limits. Think about the way things may have been before the addiction started and what changes you would like to see in the relationship. Remember: changes cannot occur if they aren’t spoken.

One Step at a Time
The road to recovery can be a long and winding one for relationships that have endured addiction. But many couples have found success by working through the bumps in the road. As your partner heals, so too will your relationship.

Senator Blunt's Discussion with the "Real Expert"

Addi and I had the privilege to attend a round table discussion in Jefferson City about drug abuse and issues in Missouri. We were invited by Senator Blunt.

Addi, Susie, the director for Primrose Hill (the treatment residence Addi resides) and myself all attended. The three of us met early for lunch because we were pretty nervous. We weren't sure what exactly to expect or who would be there. After lunch, we arrived at the Act Missouri office, about 20 minutes early. Already seated, were two ladies. One who works with drug and mental health programs. One from Jeff City and one from St. Louis. They were very intelligent women who obviously know their statistics and likely attend round table discussions more than we do. Others who attended, were the Osage County Prosecutor (who she reminded me of someone from LA Law, very sassy, smart and well spoken); and the Prosecutor from Cape Girardeau, also well spoken man who expressed the drug problems his county was having. Then we had a gentleman from a Missouri Drug Task Force who indicated his county had suffered SIX overdoses in the past 5 days, with 2 of them being fatal. His county is suffering tremendously due to heroin. Another gentleman named Bean, spoke about the youth home for boys that he works, which provides residential drug treatment. He stated that they are so overcrowded, they are having to keep a waiting list. Tragic. We need more residential long term programs.

As we made our way around the table, discussing the various problems per county and our concerns as community members, we all introduced ourselves and stated our main interest or topic. Susie spoke about Teen Challenge and the way they instill work ethic in the girls, to help with their self worth, confidence and ability to learn responsibility. This is such an important tool that is forgotten when someone is deep in addiction. She talked about Teen Challenge being a faith based treatment center and the girls study the Bible and do prayer groups and attend church together and focus on healing from the inside out. She talked about the importance of abstinence in recovery.

Next up was Addison---she first quietly said "My name is Addi. Addison Daniel...I'm not sure what else to say..."  I thought, "Well, she is done"...then all of a sudden, she just started talking and talking and talking. She told the panel that she had tried 9 rehab facilities before and each time they gave her drugs to get off drugs and she failed each time. She said she has been clean going on her 8th month now, and JUST NOW she is starting to feel real feelings. She said it is imperative that treatment is longer, more structured and drug free---that we are going about treatment in America the wrong way and it is creating more addiction. She went on to tell her own story and painful parts that she had never discussed before. Parts that I wasn't even sure she would ever talk about.  I was sitting there in awe of her. Here we were---in a room full of educated, powerful, intelligent people, elected officials, news media, a United States Senator and his staff ---and my daughter started singing like a beautiful bird. She felt confident in that room to tell the truth because she knew those were the people who needed to hear her side, her view, and to hear about what works and what doesn't. When she finished...they applauded.  So did I. It gave me chills. I was beaming with pride.

She also brought a letter she had written to Senator Blunt back in 1998 (when he was a US Representative) that said, "Dear Mr. Blunt: Thank you for coming to our school." When she was 8 years old, he read to her class. I took a picture of them holding it. I thought "How ironic--who knew back then that my little blue eyed, blonde haired, innocent sweet girl, would become a heroin addict. Who knew that 18 years later---their paths would cross again and that it would be him listening to her." He gave her a hug after the forum finished and told her that they needed to keep the conversation going, and that testimony from real stories and people like her, is the best advice he can receive.

We just never know why our lives turn in the ways that they do sometimes, but I saw glimpses of my little college Republican girl, who has already voted absentee, by the way. She always loved politics and to see her interest renewed, showed me that she is truly returning back into our old Addi that she was before drugs overtook her life.  I felt like her impact on that room was something no one else could have offered. She lived it. She's gone through it all. She was the real expert that day.

She made me proud. Each month she gets stronger. Each month I see my real daughter and each month I have a little more faith that this may be the reason she was created---to change the lives of others.

Yay, Ms. Addison-- you are smart, you are a fighter and I know you are going to help be an outspoken survivor who champions for others.  I'm so proud of you.

PARENTS, YOU ARE NOT LISTENING

I've been pounding the message "LOCK UP YOUR MEDICATION."  "Oh, I will do that."  "Yes, that is a good idea."  "I should do that."  "I am going to do that RIGHT NOW." Those are the responses I typically get. The lightbulb goes on and then we depart ways and then guess what? Parents forget our conversation. 

How many benzos are in your home? Klonopin? Xanax?  Yes, they will take those. Lock them up.

How about sleep medication? Over the counter and prescription? Yes, they will use those. Lock them up.

Do you have muscle relaxers? Yes, they will use them. Lock them up.

What about Valium? Yes, they will use it. Lock it up.

If you aren't locking them up, do you keep track of how much you have? Or were you like me, and shoved them in a cabinet and thought nothing of it. 

Do you have pain medication? Because 85% of your local kids say that you do. 

You know what else those kids are saying in my survey results? They are saying YOU DO NOT lock up your medication.

You know what else they are saying?  PAIN PILLS are the most commonly used drugs abused by teens (90% of them stated that) and that pain pills are the EASIEST to obtain. 

DO YOUR JOB, PARENTS. DO IT FOR YOUR KIDS, AND EVERYONE ELSE'S. 

Learn from the mistakes I made. Don't assume "my child would never do that."  Don't take a chance. Don't even give them the opportunity, or their friends the opportunity. Treat your meds like a firearm. Take care of them, lock them up...because they are a loaded weapon and they can kill your child. 

MIND YOUR MEDS. 

LOCK UP YOUR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

Dear Opiates/Heroin: A Letter I Wrote 4 Years Ago

The first time my daughter entered treatment, was August 2012. At that time, the treatment center asked me to write a letter to my daughter's demon--opiates/heroin. I can remember writing it, and then feeling disappointed that I had no one to read it to---that there was no one I could scream the words and that they would listen. Today, I was cleaning closets and found a box of items that belong to Addi. In it, I found my letter. 4 years later, the words still ring true. I hope some of you will relate to the same feelings.

Dear Opiates/Heroin:

     You have taken so many precious things from me. First and foremost, you took my daughter for the last four years.

     I was not familiar with your face. I was not familiar with your signs. I never knew about the hold you had on my daughter until it was so strong, that I still fear the bond may never be broken for long.

     My daughter was a beautiful, funny, athletic young lady who made good grades and had a lot of friends. You crept into her life like a thief in the night and you stole her innocence.

     For the past 4 years, I've had to watch my daughter slowly die a painful and sad death. She grew to hate me because I hated you. She resented me when I found out about you and attempted to get her help. You took away her youth, her college years and you took away some of my son's teenage years because he had to be the "man of the house" and constantly looking out for his sister. I hate you, opiates because you have taken away my faith. You have made me doubt myself as a mother.

      The lies my daughter has told me, the things she has stolen from me, the hurtful words she has spoken to me and the fact that her life has become a human wrecking ball in my life are all just a portion of the reasons I hate you.

     You took away the chance to see my daughter walk across a stage and celebrate her high school graduation. You took away the chance of seeing her succeed in college and you took away her dreams to be a teacher. You allowed people in my home and our lives that I wouldn't let in my dog's life, let alone my child's.

     You took away my sleep, my finances and my ability to perform well at my job because you gave me so much stress that it was intolerable. You caused my son to have to hear me cry so many nights, wondering if my daughter was alive or dead. You cost me THREE cars--but I blame myself for that because I should have never replaced the first one. You took away the close bond of my family. YOU, opiates--are the Devil. You are the most evil force I have ever fought against.

     You have caused me and my husband to argue and I've had to set boundaries in my life that will force me to choose between my child and ultimately, my grandchild.

     YOU have ruined 4 years of my life!!!!!!

     This is your last and final warning to leave my family alone. I've given up everything in my daily life so that my daughter can focus on her treatment and get rid of you. It is time that you take your hold off of my family.

     Any one or anything that resembles you or the pain you cause, will not be allowed around my family. I WILL fight back hard this time and I DO know your face, so my ignorance about you is gone. I know who you are, I know who your friends are and they are not allowed in our lives. I will stop those who sell you. I will report those who prescribe you in voluminous amounts.  If my daughter chooses you or those that still love you--then I will have no choice than to close this chapter in my life and walk away from both of you.

     This is it. The time has come that you must go away. I want to see my daughter grow up. I want to see her be a mommy. I want to see her believe in herself again. I want to see her be a sister again. I want to see her use her brain again. I want her to make us laugh again. I want to see her finish school with the brain God gave her that you tried to take away. I want her to learn the values she was taught such as hard work. I want her enablers to know I will hunt them down. I want back my child.

     Goodbye, opiates.  Goodbye heroin.  Goodbye drugs.  I'm fighting back.
             
                                                                                         Stephanie
                                                                                         9/21/2012


 Wow. I was one aggravated mom. I was on a mission back then and didn't even know it yet...and then began "My Addiction to Addiction."

Thank you God for sparing her life and for giving me my daughter back.

I have faith. I have hope...and YOU can too.

Keep goin' sis.  We love you so much and are so proud of you.

My Testimony---by Addi

My testimony is not something I thought I would be telling people seven months ago.  Seven months ago I was so far deep that I never thought I’d see the light again.  I was so far deep I didn’t know there was light anymore but now I testify that I’ve found the light.  Jesus says, “I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life” and he did this without me even knowing I needed him or asking for him.  He led me out of the pits of the deepest darkest hole. 

My life has been nothing that I thought it would be.  I am now on my ninth attempt at sobriety and I can finally honestly say this is my last time and my only solution to this “disease” is God.  I grew up knowing there was a God but not actually knowing Him. 

My life was a picture of perfect dysfunction.  I remember while most kids were praying to God for their parents to stay together, I was praying for mine to get a divorce. I went from being a daddy’s girl whose daddy coached her softball teams, played whiffle ball and revolved his whole life around his kids to no daddy-waiting game after game for him to show up- excuse after excuse crying because he just didn’t show up after saying he would.  I grew numb and more depressed as I got older.  By the time I was sixteen I was probably a full blown alcoholic.  I had lost my papa and then walked in on my mom nearly getting beat to death by her ex husband.  From that point on alcohol was the only thing that made me feel good but really just numbed me from feeling anything at all.  I drank my junior and senior year away.  The night before my graduation I drank so much that my alcohol level was .3 something which is legally dead.  I ended up wrecking my vehicle, flipping it five times and getting thrown out of my car.  I was so far away that paramedics couldn’t even find me.  I should have been killed that night but what I didn’t know then and know now is that God clearly has had a plan for me all along.  I broke my back, lacerated my spleen, had a collapsed lung and mentally I was a huge mess. 

That’s when I was introduced to pain medicine.  I still managed to start college and move forward but my life just kept getting messier.  I still had that mental mess I hadn’t dealt with and while most people would have quit drinking after that I just kept going while taking pain medication on top of things.  A few years later I met the problem solver of all problem solvers...so I thought.  I met "the point"--the needle.  It was my “cure all”.  I felt like this was going to fix every single problem I had ever had and then some..,but I was very wrong. I was going deeper and deeper into that black hole.  I thought having a baby would fix all of my issues, so I got pregnant.  I learned very quickly all this did was amplify my issues and that I couldn’t take care of myself let alone another human being.  I had my son on May 3, 2012.  That August is when I attempted my first try at sobriety and brutally failed.  A year later, I finally tossed in the flag and signed what little rights I did have left away and he was adopted.  The summer after I tried every single thing imaginable to kill myself, then 3 more attempts at sobriety and a year later, I was pregnant with my daughter.  After feeling the hurt and emptiness of not having my son, I knew I wanted to get things right this time. 

Fast forward to about eight months ago, I was back in that deep hole of darkness-normally I could at least see glimpses of light but I just knew there was no getting out this time!  My family begged and begged and prayed and prayed.  I had lost everything at this point and I was on the verge of losing my other half of my heart, my daughter. I didn’t think I could live to feel that kind of hurt again.  Some may call it "divine intervention", some may have been anger and frustration, but I was just "sick and tired of being sick and tired."  I was ready for it to all be over with...and that is when I ended up in a jail cell and that’s what I call God’s Grace.  Not many people can say they are thankful to end up in jail but I can!  God has to use different methods to open people’s eyes up and this is how he did mine.  I was isolated from the world and that’s where I first started to see the light, as it says in Psalm 119:105-your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path- and the light was starting to get brighter.

That was where I was seven months ago.  Today not only do I see the light, God promises me in Jeremiah 29:11-He knows the plans for my future, plans to prosper me and not to harm me and that my future is bright and full of hope and not only is my future bright and full of hope but so is my daughters.  We have had some ups and downs and I know not every day is going to be a ray of sunshine but I think that all of that darkness just made me stronger and as it says in Esther 4:14-Perhaps THIS is the moment for which I was created and even on my WORST days with God as my light, it’s not even COMPARABLE to a good day without God.  Because without Him I am nothing. 

As it says in Joshua 1:9-Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid.  Do not be discouraged for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

The "Before"...and the "After" by Alissa Brock

     I have been thinking about if I had a blog, "What would I write? How can you explain the loss of a child?" What immediately comes to my mind is that there is a definite "before" and "after." All of us have "before and afters" in our lives. Before you were married...and after. Before you had children...and after. Before College...and after. Some are happy, some are devastating. This is a "before and after" that no one ever wants to have to survive. No one wants this "after."

     The "Before"

     We were very young parents. 19 and 20 when our first baby, Ryan, came along, 21 and 22 when the second one, Alex, came into our lives. In my mind I know we made mistakes and we struggled in many ways, financially, to grow up ourselves, to find your way in the world at that age is hard enough, but to bring 2 beautiful brown-eyed babies along with you, is super hard. I know we aren't the only ones. Looking back now, I know God gave them to me to save me and make me grow up. I needed it.

     At 25 I had 1 more, a beautiful teal eyed, blond baby girl. We all were sooo in love. After she was born, I went back to school full time while I waited tables in the evening. Thank God for my husband who had to, in essence, become mom and dad...and might I say, he did it well. He spent hours and hours with our kids playing with them, bathing them, reading them bedtime stories, fed them dinner, clipped their nails, cleaned their ears...you name it.

     Finally I graduated and life got a little easier on all of us. My boys were able to play lots of baseball and travel with their friends as they had so wanted to do. We had a great life. We took vacations together as a family, my parents took them on vacations. My brother in law and his wife took them places, Pro ballgames, all over the place. They did things many adults still haven't done. And they were good kids. They were loved. Really loved. We were a happy, close family.

     In High School my boys were both popular and funny. We never had any real problems with either of them, just normal kid stuff. They both played some sports and loved it. Had lots of friends and seemed to thrive. We remained a very close family. After my oldest son graduated he went to college a few semesters at my parent's expense and insistence, but did not do well, as I feel he just wasn't ready. Then one day he said "I need to talk to you mom." Immediately my heart sank. We went on the back deck together and he told me "I am a drug addict and I need help." We both cried. I feel that this is a testimony of the kind of open and loving relationship we had with all of our children that he knew he could come to me and tell me. I immediately started trying to help him. Without success.

     I didn't think Alex, our youngest son, was doing "hard" drugs. I believed he only smoked pot, which at the time I thought was no big deal. Eventually our oldest son went to rehab in St. Louis. I think he wanted to stay clean, but 1 month after he got home, Alex accidentally overdosed on pills and alcohol. He spent 3 days in CCU at St. John's in Joplin on the ventilator and 3 more days on the neurological floor. 6 days in the Hospital. Ryan, felt like it was his fault because he knew he was wasted, but didn't understand the gravity of the situation. Ryan immediately relapsed and was doing every opiate he could get his hands on, even smoking Dilaudid. Straws, foil. Straws, foil. Took me a while to figure that one out. I would kick him out...but let him right back in. Still hate buying Aluminum Foil...and that was 7 years ago. Today, he is alive and doing well. Thank God he was doing well when his brother died.

     After his overdose, Alex swore to himself and to us that he was done. No more. "I have a second chance." Needless to say that did not last. Very long summer with him. Every time I couldn't immediately wake him I started freaking out. He continued to drink and I'm sure take pills and had several ER visits as well.

     A couple of years went by and he worked and sort of just got lost. He lost 6 jobs in 1 year. He was using, but was also very good at "maintaining" as they say. Fired from every single one. It was "never his fault", according to him. He just was very very lost. I never dreamed after what we lived through with his brother that he would also become a serious drug abuser. He started working for a man that he knew, Al grew up with his son. He loved that job. I started noticing then that he would come home really messed up, stumbling around, slurred speech etc. My mom even noticed it. I would ask him and ask him if he was using drugs and he would always deny it. Then he stole our meds, Xanax, we only took it occasionally for anxiety. Not only did he steal it once...but twice. The second time we called the police. They gave him a ticket and went on. I continued to ask him over and over and over "Do you need help?" Some days he was fine. In fact most days when I saw him, he did seem fine.

     The "After"

     Then comes the after. The devastating, life changing after. Your worst nightmare. The unimaginable. March 22 2012. The day that changed everything. The "after."

     How do I even tell this story? I remember that day. It is burned in my mind. He was working 11-2 and 5-close. He had lost his drivers license and I took him back and forth to work most days. My sister had a 17 month old and he was the light of my life. He was at my house that day. At around 10:30 am, I remember waiting for Al to come up the stairs and ask me for a ride to work. He never did. I got a strange feeling but his days off had changed and I thought maybe he was off that day. Still something was off, I could feel it. I continued to play with Aidan, my nephew and go on with my day. That afternoon I decided to color my hair. My daughter and I were at the table in the dining room looking at Facebook and Aidan was on my lap. Scott came in from work at 3:45 pm and the phone rang. I immediately looked up and was numb. I heard him say "What, are they sure it's him?" I put the baby down and started screaming at the top of my lungs "Alex is dead!!! Alex is dead!!!" I didn't even know it until later when my daughter told me I said it "I'm so pissed off!! I'm sooo pissed off! Alex is dead!" Somehow I knew. I called 911, Scott called 911. Eventually they told us that they had a body at Mason Woodard and asked us to come there. He had been dead over 12 hours before anyone called. I told my daughter to call my mom and we passed her on our street. I remember saying "Alex is dead." and my mom just started bawling. We got to the funeral home and the Sheriff was there. He showed my husband a picture of Alex on his phone and Scott told him that it was Alex. We went in and all I wanted to do was see him. They told me no. Just no. We went in and sat at this table and I just kept saying, I wanted to see him and they just said no. "We would have to clean him up and get him ready, you don't want to see him." Yes, Yes, I do. "No." We left.

     Now, the after. We went home, soon our house was full. Full of crying people, full of sadness. Really, really full of it. I can just remember feeling like I should be entertaining them. That is me. And knowing that I could not. It wasn't even appropriate. It is just me. Those first few days were surreal as everyone will tell you. I was so determined to not let it kill me. Already in March thinking about Christmas, Easter etc. I remember for weeks waking up and saying out loud to myself "Alex is dead...Alex is dead." Walking to the toilet, sitting on the toilet, saying it over and over again out loud. Just wanting so badly to be able to accept it and learn to live with it. But you can't, you just can't. I am 4 yrs and almost 7 months out and it makes me cry just to write this.

     I remember after, reaching out to friends that had lost their children and thinking "I've got this." Just weeks after he died. They all said "Oh, honey you are just getting started." WHAT!! ? "I've got this." Not even for a minute. This is the "after." You have never really "got this." It just doesn't happen. Your life changes and it never, ever, ever goes back to the same. I remember loving Spring. I love flowers and plants. My daughter and I were standing on the front porch and I said "Look, the grass grows, the trees bud, the flowers bloom but no Al." Life without him is so much different. I cry more days now than I don't. Sometimes it is unbearable. My sweet husband has days that he just can't, just almost barely lives. My children are different. Everything is different. It is something that you just cannot even explain. Everything changes.

     The first year I was determined to just go on with life. I planned his funeral to a T because I wanted it to be just perfect for him. It was the best since that dreadful news, because I was numb. The second year almost killed me. After his 1 year anniversary came and went it became so real and painful I almost didn't survive. That is when you realize THEY ARE NOT COMING HOME. I went to work only because I had to. I paid only the bills necessary to live. I left my house only if I had to. I stayed in bed more than I should have. I barely barely made it. After that a little light comes back, you start to laugh without feeling guilty. I love to laugh. If you are lucky you have friends that let you know you are loved and needed, in whatever capacity you are at the moment. Time goes by and you learn to live the "new normal." But I will tell you now ...there will ALWAYS, ALWAYS be a "before" and now...an "after."

     Thank you to my son Ryan, for allowing me to tell our story.

Politics, 200 Days Clean and NO PAIN PILLS FOR ME

Oh how annoying the political commercials are becoming. Every one is arguing on social media, including myself, lol. I'm not sure the point of even arguing, because how often do we change people's minds?

I myself had an interesting little personal poll. I emailed the candidates for Missouri Governor and US Senator for Missouri about their positions on prescription drug monitoring, the opiate and heroin crisis and methadone/MAT clinics and funding. I sent letters also to Claire McCaskill and Governor Nixon, even though they are not on the ballot.

Here were my responses--I got a form letter from Claire McCaskill that basically answered nothing. I got no response from Eric Greitens, candidate for Missouri Governor. I got no response from Jason Kander, candidate for US Senate.

I got a very lengthy response and two follow up phone calls from Roy Blunt's office and factual information and continue to get follow up emails from his local and DC staff. They have gotten to the root of some of my biggest questions, which I could not get answered on the state level.

I got a rapid and thorough response from Jay Nixon, which also put me in contact with a lady from the Missouri Department of Health and she contacted me by phone and we had a great conversation.

I got a thorough letter from Chris Koster's office which explained in detail his positions and my concerns and although I was raised Republican and I love Ronald Reagan with each fiber of my soul--I am voting for a Democrat for Governor.

Don't panic quite yet, my fellow Republicans.

I am with Roy Blunt 100%. He has kept his word to me throughout this entire opiate nightmare and I trust him with my family values and well, with my family.

So there is my plug on politics. It really means nothing and may get me some enemies on social media, but it is truth...and well, like or hate it...I speak it...and like my first paragraph, it won't change anyone's minds and I will respect whomever gets elected and hope that I can work with them to better the State of Missouri and country.

So--on a much greater and important note---my Addi had her 200th day of being clean this week AND she has an A in both of her college classes.  YAY ADDI!!!!!-- and she gets to go see Joyce Meyer, so she is pretty much walking on sunshine right now. I never thought my daughter, who was determined she would marry Nelly or Lil' Wayne and had a major thing for the Jonas Brother would become a person who eats, breathes and adores Joyce Meyer--but thank you GOD! I'm excited to hear her sound so excited about so many positive things in her life.

As for myself--I had some surgery last Monday and Tuesday.  I had some skin cancer removed from my nose. Right smack in the middle, I had about a quarter sized HOLE taken from my nose. Not a pretty sight. So...I had to have reconstructive surgery the next day (last Tuesday). My surgeons were incredible. My plastic surgeon who fixed it, is the "Sculptor with the Scalpel." He is simply amazing. No way on earth I would ever have any sort of cosmetic surgery done now for jolly's though. Not fun. I will just take my wrinkles as they come. WOWZA that was painful.  Swollen face, stitches everywhere on my little nose and the first 3 days was absolute hell---but guess what? THIS GAL DID NOT TAKE ONE SINGLE PAIN PILL. NOT A ONE. Obviously I had pain medicine in my IV before I woke up from anesthesia, but I didn't know it and didn't ask for it and I was determined that I didn't need it. I slept forever it seemed like. I woke up looking like the bandaged elephant man. I easily could have taken pain pills and I had plenty of reasons to need them...but I wanted to prove to Addi that I could walk the walk instead of just talking it. I used Tylenol only and one week later, I haven't even used Tylenol today. I'm going to make it. I thought if my son can have knee surgery and not use pain pills--then so can I. Addi was very proud of me.

So--sorry I have been behind on blogging. I've just been taking care of Steph and haven't even been able to see to type because my face was so swollen. I'm on the mend now. I'll be fine.

The moral of this story is---don't be a wimp. You don't need those pain pills. They are not worth the risk...and vote for Roy Blunt for US Senate.

The Gala...6 months Clean...and Let's Get You Help NOW

I got the honor to speak at the Primrose Hill Teen Challenge Gala held in Columbia this past Thursday. I have been speaking in front of various groups locally and don't usually have a script or ever feel particularly nervous. This event made me nervous because I have not spoken with Addi present. Also, my husband, sister, mother, step mom and husband and a dear family friend, Janeene were there. I was nervous about crying in front of 250 people but even more nervous about making Addi cry. My husband is so encouraging of my mission in drug awareness. The whole way to Columbia I was writing a timeline and making various notes to myself of points I wanted to make. I would try to rehearse and get even more nervous. He said, "Steph...speak from your heart. This is our life and you know it by heart. Just tell her story." He was right. As I stood up to speak, I felt comfortable. My voice cracked several times but my 5 minutes of allotted time ended up being ten and I found the words I wanted and needed to say.

The thing I have learned the most in the last 6 months is that everything is within a plan of a whole lot larger plan than any notes I make or anything I personally say or do. I am a small little speck in this world with a whole lot of problems, but also a world with a whole lot of people who care about virtual strangers. The amount of people who have supported my family with encouragement, kind words, cards, hugs and messages has been a source of strength to me. I may not be able to thank all of you enough in my lifetime, but your kindness to my family means so much to us. The thing that struck me at the Gala was that there are so many people who love my daughter and are feeding her soul, giving her confidence, showing her love and support and helping her rise up from the hell she was sinking so deep into just 6 months ago. They didn't know her but they welcomed her and they didn't judge her--they accepted her. There are so many places that are out there just like Primrose Teen Challenge who are willing to help your son or daughter too. There are so many places that can help YOU if you seek it.

I know the idea of entering a 12 month program is scary for some. I also know that the last 6 months has flown by and in 6 more months, it terrifies me that she will be back into this world. I love the concept though of her treatment center in that they don't institutionalize their "students." They are called students, not "patients."  They go to the Y to work out; they go grocery shopping; they go to church each Sunday; they go to the pool; they go to plays; they walk in charity walks with Mizzou; they interact in real life, but positive ways of life. It is not nearly as traumatic for a person to enter the real world again if they have been living in it. Yes they have a strict schedule. Yes, they are strong in their Assembly of God faith and yes, they require you to learn about the Bible. They teach women to be mother's, they teach young women to respect their bodies again and they teach a woman to heal themselves from the inside out.

I was so happy that my sister, stepmom and her husband got to tour the home the next day. My stepmom's husband is a man who is kind, but quiet and definitely a strong man. After the tour of the house and a lot of hugs from Addi, they were getting ready to leave. They both had tears in their eyes. I said to my stepmom's husband (or Addi's Poppy, I should say), "I try not to get too excited but I am cautiously optimistic." He said "I went from no faith to a whole lot in about 30 minutes." THAT is the kind of place Primrose is and the impact it has had on all of us. It has a peaceful, healing, loving and welcoming feeling that is indescribable unless you see it. We were all pretty moved from the last 24 hours of the gala, hearing the stories of the girls who live there and seeing all the support they had at such a nice event.

Now, let's focus on YOU...

I challenge all of you who need help to find the place that is calling YOUR name. I challenge you to find a facility that will heal you from the inside out and give you the time to truly find yourself and forgive yourself. There are many places in this nation that can give you that same love and same help. Although 12 months seems scary--your death of an overdose is permanent. Each day that you put a needle in your arm, take a hit of drugs or stray further from accepting that you need help--the closer you are to death. Only YOU can take that first step to find help. Only YOU can make the decision that this is no longer the life you want to live.

Stop and visualize a life free of chains, free of chasing the drugs, free of the daily fear of being dope sick. Picture yourself being the type of son, daughter, mother, father, sister, brother that your family deserves. Close your eyes and remember the days before you tried drugs to mask your pain or whatever reason you began. Take the step to change your life today, whether it is by getting online and emailing a Teen Challenge that fits your needs; contacting Freedom Christian Church in Aurora; by contacting The Road Recovery in Webb City; or God's Army; or Ascent Recovery in Joplin; or walking into Impact Life Church and telling Howie you need help; or walk into Carterville Christian Church and talk to Robin Sigars; or walk into Christ Church of Oronogo who has many people willing to help you...or any church in any town in this nation, whether you live in Southwest Missouri or Minnesota--wherever you are, there are people willing to help you.  If you are a teen, contact Children's Division and they will find you a program or even the juvenile office. They don't want to take your life away. They don't want to put you in a home. They want to help people who want to get help and change their lives. They are there to help you, not for you to fear them. There is an avenue and place to get you help if you want it. I promise you, life can be beautiful and you are worth it.

Today can be the day that you start your journey. Do it.

Why is a Newborn Expected to Kick a Drug Habit So Much Easier than an Adult?

I recently met with a director of pain clinic to discuss our obvious disagreement about Methadone and Suboxone treatment. One of the issues that rubs me the rawest, is unborn babies. I do not believe that people should be able to take these medications if they are at risk of getting pregnant. Relying on a new patient's "self-reporting" that she is on birth control, they do nothing further to verify. "It's against their privacy rights", eh?  I mean, legally, it's not really even a baby once someone is pregnant, so the unborn child has zero rights in this nation...so why would these clinics care? They make their weekly money, they keep patients coming back for more and more and more, because once they are pregnant and on Methadone or Suboxone, they can't be taken off of the medication because it will terminate the pregnancy, and in fact, the Mother's doses increase as their pregnancy progresses because they baby is taking some of the medication from the mother. So let me get this right...it's against the woman's rights to require they are on birth control; and unborn baby has no rights; yet, when we are talking about disbursing narcotics, we MUST do so, to prevent the termination of the pregnancy? Am I missing something here? I mean, when the government is doling out $600,000,000 to curb this opiate problem in the nation and these "MAT Clinics" are getting a lot of that funding, do taxpayers have no rights to require women to prevent pregnancy while taking these dangerous drugs? Why are they not REQUIRED to have an arm implant if they must be on these drugs. Why aren't these clinics required to report a pregnancy of a patient to the Children's Division or other state agency that protects children? Which is it? Are they protecting the baby or protecting the addiction? This issue infuriates me.

If a woman is truly wanting help, truly wanting to change her life--then she is going to the clinic short term. I will play my own Devil's Advocate and even go as far as---Suppose birth control makes her sick and she can't take it (which would be very unlikely if she can handle Methadone)--but suppose that is the circumstance. Why wouldn't these clinics still be required to report pregnancies to the agencies that protect children? What would there be to hide, if her intentions are to get clean and she is in the program for that reason?  Again--who are we protecting? According to several NICU nurses in Joplin, there are at least 1-3 babies in the NICU at all times battling a Methadone addiction. Those numbers don't add up, when you hear that the local Methadone/Suboxone Clinic only supposedly has 4 pregnant patient's at this time. That would be 6 babies at all times in Joplin's NICU's dealing with drug addiction due to this type of "treatment". Obviously due to HIPAA, I do not have actual statistics on that---but wouldn't the State of Missouri Children's Division be able to get that information? Shouldn't they get that information? Better yet, what if those babies don't go to the NICU, because the clinic will tell you that "most babies are born on time and perfectly healthy with no need to go into a NICU."  So supposed that baby goes home just normal. Withdrawal starts 7-10 days afterward--and that baby has no one to help them. That baby is going through withdrawal outside of medical supervision and no one knows any different because no one has reported it. This is wrong. This is unfair to the most innocent victims in this drug ridden mess of a healthcare system that we are creating.

Lastly, answer me this---these babies that go into a NICU to wean off of Methadone and Suboxone are often kept for a few weeks. Sometimes they require morphine for withdrawal. They cannot be touched or comforted because stimulation, light, loud sounds can upset them and make their physical pain worse. NICU nurses state that they scream a high pitched scream and are impossible to comfort. How is it that we as a nation have decided that adults should be coddled and given medication that they do not feel any discomfort during withdrawal---yet we expect the littlest of drug addicts to kick it within three weeks...sometimes unattended in silence because no one bothered to ensure they were safe.

This is unfair, this is unethical, unacceptable and irresponsible healthcare. This is unacceptable to treat the littlest of human beings in this manner. They have rights too. They have a voice too. Lawmakers need to speak up and impose restrictions on these clinics and ensure that these babies are protected. It is time to stop coddling adults and start coddling the innocent. This issue needs immediate attention from our nation and the State of Missouri. These clinics have a responsibility to protect those who cannot protect themselves. If they truly are in the business of "treating people" then this should not even be a question. Enough is enough. We are creating more addiction and less personal responsibility. It's time to truly TURN THE TIDE, as the US Surgeon General has recommended. Turn the tide away from protecting addiction and start protecting families.

When researching for this blog, I found this article. Read it. Be prepared to cry, be prepared to be sick to your stomach and be prepared to be outraged.

http://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/baby-opioids/

Change needs to come NOW.

The Playground

        Today as I was waiting in a school line, I was in the line near the playground. I was watching all of these little innocent children running, jumping, playing and laughing with their friends. They didn't appear to have a care in the world. I sat there staring aimlessly at them thinking, "some of those sweet babies will end up making horrible choices and their paths will drastically change." That is absolutely heartbreaking. Statistically 1 out of 4 of them will suffer from addiction in their lifetime and will begin using drugs between the age of 15-18 years old. Those statistics are spot on. Exactly. Our life in a nutshell. My family is among those statistics. Statistics that I would have never paid attention to, never thought about, and never dreamed would become an interesting topic or passion in my life. I felt as every other parent does..."It won't happen to MY child."

       When I was a young mom, I had no idea that my children would face the types of temptations that are in the world today. I had no idea that my sweet, blonde, happy girl would someday become a drug addict. She played on that same playground I saw today. She was one of those same happy little children, running around with her friends. Oh how I wish I had the knowledge back then that I have now. Oh how I wish.  Sometimes I feel so frustrated with other parents that continue to fail to see the signs, or don't act on them when they do see them. I feel like I am screaming into a well at times and only hearing my own voice echoing back at me. Sometimes I feel like a broken record. Sometimes I feel that no one is listening. Other times, I feel that everyone is listening and I have no answers. I wish I had more answers for those who do need help when they do reach out to me.

       As this new school year begins, I challenge you to pay more attention. I challenge you to lock up your medications. I challenge you to pay attention to who they are hanging around with, who they associate with online and I challenge you to dispose of your prescription drugs. I challenge you to NOT let your kids spend the night at the house that "their parents say it's OK to smoke pot" and "stay out all night" and I challenge you to become pro-active in PREVENTING your child from becoming a statistic. I challenge you to get active in your child's school district and if your school doesn't have a student organization such as "Students Against Destructive Decisions" like Joplin has---that YOU start one at your school. I challenge YOU to be the proactive force that helps bring more awareness to your own child's playground.

      The playground should be a happy place, free from danger. The playground is where they start to learn to pick their battles. The playground is the place where friends are made, lessons are learned and it is where their personalities start to ascend. When the playground starts changing into sporting events, dances, driving, and other teen activities, then your control starts to diminish and your child must make choices in your absence. Start planting that seed now. Start teaching about choices and making good ones. It is never too early.

      Let's all protect our children's playgrounds and make them safer for everyone's child. I challenge you. Whether it's your school, your yard, the skating rink, the gym...whatever the arena your child is playing, be aware of the surroundings and their playmates. Take the precautions to protect them now so they can protect themselves later so they don't become a statistic. It CAN happen to your child. It WILL happen to someone's. Will you look the other way or will you try to make a difference?

     

     

My Birthday Blessings

I turned the big 4-6 today. Ugh, that sounds old. I can remember when turning 30 felt old. Now I have a 26 year old who is only 4 years from that milestone. Where does the time go??? In the blink of an eye, life has flown by--even when there were moments that time stood still, it was still moving.

Today I had a great day. I've cut wayyyyy back in my legal job. Pretty much non-existent, thanks to some wonderful women who have stepped into my shoes. It has allowed me to follow my true passion, which is drug awareness. I've been so fortunate to get involved with the Alliance of Southwest Missouri. They have taken my drug campaign and turned it into a level I never dreamed possible. Newton County Coalition and the Alliance have taken my crazy whims or ideas and have turned them into incredible public service announcements, posters and now billboards. Every time something else comes to fruition, I feel like I could cry like a baby. I feel like "finally--people GET it."

To top all of that off, tomorrow we are having a joint tailgate at Carl Junction, which they are playing the high school my two oldest graduated from--the Webb City Cardinals. Big rivalry. Huge crowd. We got donations to create 400 t-shirts (200 for each school) and it's our chance to get kids to come to the booth to get information about drugs, alcohol and other life changing choices. I'm so honored CJ is doing this for kids. It literally makes me tear up thinking about it.

Also today, one of my first phone calls was from my daughter. I was in the shower, so she left me a voicemail. "Just wanted to wish you a happy birthday, Mom. I love you."  I played it about ten times. I can't even tell you when the last time she remembered my birthday, Mother's Day, her stepdad's birthday or any other occasion. She sounds great. I miss her. Can't wait to see her again. She starts college online Monday. She is excited. I'm excited for her and so thankful for the opportunity she has to begin again.

My birthday could not have been better because all 3 of my babies are safe, sound, happy and secure. The BEST blessing I could ever ask for---and I feel so thankful. Granted, I didn't see the two oldest today, which is okay. My son is making his coaching debut tomorrow for high school football. He is a positions coach and his real job is an accountant and I couldn't be more proud of him. Go Wildcats! My precious daughter-in-law began her first day teaching 1st grade today and I'm so proud of her. My Addi is an enrolled college student and studying her Bible regularly and continually prays for me and my shortcomings and I'm so proud of her. My 4 year old is getting ready for preschool on Wednesday and he is hilarious and makes me laugh multiple times per day. With the Olympics on, me and my husband have to stop and put our hands on our hearts when the USA wins a gold medal and they play the Star Spangled Banner. He is quite the patriot. I'm proud of him too. Life is great.

Thank you for all the birthday wishes. I am blessed and I know it.

A Mom's Plea to Stop the Methadone Clinic Nightmare

I am the mother of a drug addict.  It's really painful to write that, because my son is so much more than that.  He is my handsome, loving, smart, and wildly funny boy I raised.  He is also a friend, a brother, a grandson, a nephew, the "big cousin", and he is a father, without his children because of drugs.

He was such a great kid in High School.  He was the kid other parents wanted their kid to hang out with.  He was well liked, and loved to play football, held down decent grades and a job.  He decided not to go to college right away.  So instead, he landed a great job as a driver recruiter for Conway Trucking.  By 21 he had a beautiful daughter, and bought his first house.  He was really going places!  We were so proud..... and we were ignorant.  Ignorant in believing that our job was nearly done.  Ignorant in believing that drugs happen to other families, not ours.  Ignorant about keeping prescriptions locked up.  Also ignorant in not knowing the signs of drug abuse.

Shortly after moving into the new house, he and his girlfriend broke up, she took the baby and moved out, rightly so.  Not long after that, he had "friends" hanging around we didn't know.  Then two roommates moved in, guys we had never met.  Things were spiraling out of control.  About 6 mos. into it, one of his "friends" called us at around 1am to report they couldn't wake him up.  We lived only about a mile away, and flew over there in seconds.  There were drunk/drugged out kids everywhere, and no one had even called an ambulance!  I ran to his room where I find my son, my baby, laying on his back, his eyes wide open and fixed on the ceiling, and only breathing a deep snoring breath every once in awhile.  With my sons head in my lap, and my phone propped between my ear and shoulder I called 911 while beating his chest and begging him to just breath one more time, until help arrived.  That was his 1st OD, 7 years ago.

The past 7 years have been a living nightmare.  We've had recoveries and relapses.  We've had binges that have lasted weeks.  We've had hundreds of sleepless nights, and I seriously can't remember the last time a Friday came to start the weekend where I wasn't petrified until Monday would come with the sweet relief that he has lived through another weekend.

Three years ago, we were in another binge cycle.  He was looking pretty rough, and we barely ever had a conversation that didn't include paranoia and delusions.  I was absolutely sure that we didn't have much more time left with him, weeks, maybe a couple months.  He called one evening and asked us to come over, that he had a big decision to make.  We had spoken to him several times about going into rehab.  We prayed all the way to his house that his "big decision" had something to do with rehab.  When we got there, one of his "friends" was there.  We knew this kid, he and our son had grown up and played little league together.  We had seen this kid really go downhill because of drugs.  He looked good though, he'd gained some weight, his color was pretty good, he was talking clearer, and he just seemed to have a little of his spark back.  He started to tell us about a new rehab in Joplin.  BHG.  It's a new "program" called Medically Assisted Treatment, or MATs.  It's where they give you a daily dose of Methadone, Suboxone or another drug like it to wean you off opiates/heroin.  We couldn't help but be excited.  We've been living a nightmare for years, and our son brought this to us, as an option he could do.  So, we made an appointment with BHG, we went with him to support him and show some family solidarity.  We even paid for getting the whole thing started.  There is a sea of regrets I swim in daily, but that one is huge!  We ACTUALLY paid money to get our son deeper into addiction!

He has been a paying customer ($75 a week, upfront.  Not covered by any medical insurance) of BHG for 3 years.  Not once have they tried to wean him off, quite the contrary, they have told him that he will be on this "medicine" for life!  And God help him, because he believes that!  That is not rehab.  That is legally selling drugs to fragile people who are sick and don't have the financial means to go into real treatment. Treatment that would address the mental illness factor that’s an underlying cause of almost all addicts. That is unacceptable!  My son has been under BHG care for 3 years, that's nearly $12,000 so far.  Here's what he gets for that kind of money:

He has slid off the rails several times under their care.  In March (just 5 months ago) was his latest binge.  He had been using massive amounts of steroids, three weeks in his “cycle” he has a psychotic break.  Gets crazy paranoid and has hallucinations.  So he then goes for benzo type drugs (ie. xanax) to get a handle on it.  When that doesn't work he just keeps adding drugs.  Seriously, go onto one of the Trem forums, they actually suggest taking Molly or Meth to tone down the schizophrenic behavior.  I called the police to please come get him, I'm afraid he's going to kill himself or someone else because he's hallucinating that people are trying to kill him.  I'm told they can't do anything until he does something. I have to wonder if that’s what was said to the movie theater shooter’s family who tried desperately to get him help before the tragedy.   Long story short, nearly one week later, the police sent a swat team to go in after him, because the neighbor said he heard gunfire.  They arrest him on a couple minor traffic  bench warrants.  He is out of his head, talking about bearded women and green stretchy men in his house torturing him and trying to kill him.  The police take him to jail, instead of a hospital?  I still can not understand that!  I called at least 3 times explaining to them that while he is on drugs right now, he had a psychotic break the week before, he needs to go to the hospital.  The police keep him nearly the full 24hrs.  When he hasn't came down, and their psych eval can't say for certain if it's a drug problem or a mental problem, they call me, say they are taking him to the hospital, that he's not under arrest. (Then what was the last 23 and a half hours in jail all about?) I get to the hospital and discover he now has a broken hand, and the police literally just dropped him off at the door.  After further testing he can't be cleared for detox because he's very dehydrated, his kidneys were shutting down, and his liver was in bad shape.  I have to fill out an affidavit to have him committed for at least 96 hrs. One of the hardest things I've ever had to do as a mother.  He's eventually released from the hospital into Freeman Hospitals Stevens Unit for mental eval.  I'm assured that he'll be there at least a week because his 96hrs didn't start until he got there, on a Friday, and weekends don't count.  That Monday I get a phone call that he's being released.  Turns out Dr. Saba runs the Stevens Unit, AND also runs BHG, the methadone clinic.  Since she has been "treating" him for 3 years, she “knows” him, thus essentially making my affidavit just a piece of blank paper, tossed  away.  That’s what he gets for nearly $12,000 over the past 3 years, a drug pusher who gets him out of a jam to ensure she doesn’t lose a customer.

 

How is it possible, or legal for a doctor who evaluates drug patients at a Freeman Hospital Mental Unit, is also the same doctor who runs the clinic who sells drugs to addicts?  This begs the question, what kind of kickbacks does Dr. Saba and Freeman Hospital get from the drug companies producing these drugs?  Who at Freeman Hospital made the call that she could do both? Are BHG, Freeman Hospital, and The Ozark Center owned and/or managed by the same group?  Why is Freeman Hospital and the Ozark Center the only option in Joplin for mental health services?  Yes, Mercy’s Hawthorne Center has services for acute situations, but once your loved one is released, the only follow up care in Joplin is through Freeman/Ozark Center.  The only exception being if you have great insurance or can pay in full out of pocket, then you can avoid the Freeman snare. But how fair is that in a city whose median household income is $38,192, and where 15.8% of Joplin residents live below the federal poverty line, where most of the addiction and mental health care is needed?

These MAT clinics DO NOT WORK!  It's common sense.  You don't give an alcoholic a shot of whiskey every morning to be functional and call it a cure.  These MAT clinics are set up to look like a medical facility, but they are just privately owned businesses selling their product.  As usual, our government is jumping all over this idea as a viable option because it's the easy way out.  Addicts in recovery, real recovery, abstaining from all drugs, will tell you over and over again that these clinics are a scam for money and actually kept them in the addiction longer.

I just have one question for you Mr/Ms Lawmaker.  If you were to walk into your child's room, and they were unconscious with a needle in their arm, would sending them to a storefront  business, in a strip mall, where they buy a methadone fix everyday, for $75.00 a week, just to keep them "functional" be a real treatment option for you and your family?  I’m guessing not. Because it’s every bit as crazy as it sounds.

We can, and MUST do better for everyone involved!  Please help me find some reasonable solutions for this ever growing problem.  This isn’t a class problem anymore.  This isn’t a race problem anymore.  This isn’t a generational problem anymore.  This isn’t a junkie problem anymore.  This is everyone’s problem now.

Sincerely,

Michele (A Southwest Missouri Mom)