Jackson County Stories

Kristina

I would say my addiction started before I ever used any drugs. I was raised in the housing projects in Knoxville by a young mother and also my grandmother. I never met my father, and that left a hole in my heart, and the desire to feel loved, even if it wasn't real love, was very real. I found myself escaping to the streets. From the age of 12, I was in and out of mental health hospitals and juvenile detention centers and was labeled "crazy" at a young age. I started smoking marijuana at 13 years old, taking Xanax and pain pills at 15 years old. I basically lived on my own with the man I thought I’d be with forever who taught me about the drug game. By the time I was 24 years old, we had four children with another one on the way and living what we thought was the "good life." Unfortunately, that life destroyed us. Coming off Methadone one night, I started using Roxicodone and Oxycodones again. My daughter, who was nine months old at the time, was taking a bath. At some point, I walked into the other room, and my brief lack of supervision caused her to nearly drown. Her body was lifeless. Her father started CPR, and thankfully she survived. Unfortunately, a piece of me died that night.

Faced with multiple charges, pregnant, addicted to opiates and not allowed to be with my children unsupervised, my life went from rough to totally out of control. The father of my children became romantically involved with my mother, and together they were granted custody of my children. At that point, I was addicted to the needle, homeless, earning money through prostitution and completely dead inside. I was subsequently raped by a couple who introduced me to meth. No matter how hard I tried, nothing took my addiction or pain away. Eventually, the drugs no longer even numbed my pain. I was a hopeless drug addict.

In 2016, however, I found my hope, began loving myself and discovered me again. I owe it all to God’s grace and a one year program called Maranatha. I am now the Director of Maranatha Extended, a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist and mother to my last child with full custody!! I have a valid driver’s license, health insurance, a home and even a healthy relationship with my mom. The pain I once had has now turned into my passion. I know struggles and trials come, but I no longer have to use drugs to escape. I am learning to accept and love myself every day. I am so glad God saw fit to deliver me from that nightmare. Many people shunned me for so many years, but now those same people look to me for help!

Randy

I have personally experienced the opioid epidemic for more than 16 years. My son, Calvin, has battled addiction since 2002 when he was 16 years old. Incarcerated at least seven years since it began, we’ve tried rehabilitation centers, Teen Challenge programs, Suboxon clinics and other forms of treatment. I am happy to say he is currently sober but also understand the unfortunate reality of the possibility of a relapse.  As the Jackson County Mayor, I have made it my mission to help those who need treatment for addiction and mental health because I know many times these two issues go hand in hand. When my son was 12 years old, he was with his mother on their way to visit a hospital when a young man ran a stop sign and hit them in the side causing the vehicle to roll many times. His mother was unfortunately ejected from the vehicle and died on the scene. By my son’s own omission, this played a significant role in introducing him to the life of drugs, specifically pain killers. No matter what, I am a loving father who wants to help my son not only live a healthy life but also thrive. By sharing my story, I hope to help reduce the stigma in the community.