Welcome to Speak Up! Stories of Recovery

Personal stories of individuals formerly involved in drug abuse and gangs!

• Eddie: I started using drugs at the age of seventeen, trying to find an escape from reality... My drug use escalated from smoking pot to intravenously using meth and heroine... It brought me to a place of despair... I tried to killig myself by injecting campfire fuel into my veins... Eventually I found myself sitting in a jail cell facing seven years in prison... Amazingly the Judge allowed me to go into Teen Challenge... I am now drug free filled with joy and peace where I once had pain and sorrow... Below are my before and after pictures...

• Shirley: At twleve years of age I needed a way out, and since drugs were readily available I began using meth... I told my case worker I needed help... I have received my GED and am now starting a new career... Now I can teach my children and break the cycle of drug addiction on our family!

• Michael: I started experimenting with drugs and at an older age, they finally caught up with me... My life spiraled out of control... I knew I had to get help somewhere... My life totally changed... I got married and now have a family.

• Jennifer: I was addicted to prescription drugs... To remain high every day was my goal so I would call in false prescriptions... While pregnant with my second child, I was arrested... CPS then took my baby from me... Now I have both of my children back.