Deanna’s Story The reverberations of opioid addiction can be felt for years. Deanna Woods, a social worker from Winona, experienced the devastation caused by addiction firsthand early on in life. “Throughout my childhood, I had a family member addicted to pain medication,” Deanna explains. Understanding the impact opioid addiction can have on families, she committed...Read More

Alisha’s Story “I started experimenting with drugs around the age of 15,” says Shackelford. “I was always around drugs. My family and friends were using them.” Alisha started with prescription painkillers and later began using heroin. When she needed more money for drugs, she started shoplifting—a decision that landed her in prison three times. Then...Read More

Rip’s Story Rip Woodward is living proof people can overcome the bondage of addiction, even if they need more than a second chance. Rip experimented with drugs on and off as a teenager. After graduating from high school in Clarksdale, he moved to Memphis with plans to attend college. He enrolled but never went to...Read More

James’ Story James carries a picture of his son with him everywhere he goes. It’s a constant reminder of why he became an advocate in the work to fight opioid and heroin addiction and death in Mississippi. In 2015, James lost his 24-year-old son Jeffery to a heroin overdose. Jeffery began experimenting with prescription drugs...Read More