Grundy County Stories

Bob

I serve as assistant public defender in Grundy County, one of the poorest counties in Tennessee. It has been severely affected by the opioid crisis. I lose a current or former client about every two months to an overdose. Many others who are addicted are killed in accidents, homicides and suicides. Sometimes I fear it has sapped the last hope that remained in an area already suffering from economic depression.

I learned long ago that addiction was the main problem in criminal courts. The charge might be burglary, theft or domestic assault, but the underlying problem was substance abuse. In my opinion, prosecution, incarceration, and probation are, by themselves, ineffective. Interdiction efforts by law enforcement, while most commendable, are insufficient as well. As long as there is a demand, someone will find a way to supply Americans with the drugs they want. If incarceration and fines were going to win the war on drugs we should have achieved victory long ago.

The nature of opioid addiction has simply made thing worse. We are now experiencing an epidemic that claims more than 100 lives a day. If terrorist attacks were killing 100 people a day this country would be screaming for immediate action. I do not understand how we allowed it to get this bad. It’s complicated I guess. Lots of money involved.

I joined drug court because I believed it had an agenda that made sense: attack addiction like it was a disease; eliminate the social stigma made worse by criminal convictions; put lives back together and eliminate the demand. Only then can we make significant progress.

Interdiction by law enforcement, prosecution, incarceration, and probation are insufficient. I mean no disrespect to law enforcement and corrections. In fact, the more I work with them the more I respect their efforts. They care about their jobs and want to help people. But if incarceration can’t stop people from using drugs what kind of punishment will? The death penalty?

Addicts must have hope to live a sober life. Hope to give them the strength to cope with the unavoidable problems that cause stress and relapse. We live in a society that has learned to deal with problems by taking a pill, having a drink, or lighting a cigarette. On TV, we are encouraged to ask our doctors about taking a certain drug. It is no wonder we are in this mess.

I represent the grandparents, parents, children, and even grandchildren of families that are addicted. Most experience high levels of mental health disorders and other types of family dysfunction. The only place they seem to get help is the jail: the modern day community mental health and substance abuse center. I don’t know what must be done but what we have been doing doesn’t work.

Dave

I never imagined I would be doing what I am today. 13 years ago, I used to be hopeless, helpless and addicted. Now I’m addicted to helping the hopeless. As a person in long term recovery since 2016, I have been blessed to work with some of the best people in Tennessee as we fight alongside each other to battle this pernicious disease of addiction. I have become a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist and work with Project Lifeline of Tennessee. This job has allowed me to work with those that suffer and struggle by sharing my story and offering them hope and help. I am able to see the old me in those I serve today, and that drives me even harder. Recently a dream of mine to open GRACE, a recovery community center and organization, has become a reality in Grundy County. Community and church leaders around the county have come together to help make recovery a reality for so many. I am extremely grateful today for all those who believed in me. I encourage people to believe in others to make things happen. Believe in recovery.